Veterans

1921 reunion of the Old 3rd Michigan Infantry Association

Old 3rd Association
Of the 880 men we know who survived 1865, some 368, or more than 41% became members of the Old 3rd Michigan Michigan Infantry Association, a fraternal organization which existed from 1870 to 1927. 

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Association Roster

Grand Army of the Republic
At least 255 veterans joined one of the many GAR posts around the United States. In the state of Michigan, at least 244 men joined Grand Army of the Republic. 

Michigan Soldiers' Home
In addition to the growing number of federally-funded "National Military Homes" scattered around the United States, a number of northern states built their own "soldiers' homes" as well. Ninety-seven veterans of the 3rd Michigan eventually became residents of the Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors' Home, which opened in Grand Rapids in 1885. 

First to join: Ozias Martin (admission number 7) of Company A, in 1885
Last to join: Lyman Sayles (number 8184) of Company H, in 1928 

National Military Homes
At least 53 former members of the 3rd Michigan were at one time or another residents of national homes in Maine, Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and California. 

At least 143 men (more than 16% of the survivors) became inmates of either state-sponsored or federal veteran support care system. 

Pensions
Of 1,411 men enrolled, at least 903 applied for pensions and 809 were granted. At least 535 widows applied for pensions, and 440 of those were granted. In addition, 95 pensions were applied for on behalf of minor children and 73 of those were granted. In addition a handful of dependent mother, father and even one dependent brother pensions were applied for as well.