Joseph Milbach

Joseph Milbach, alias “Joseph P. McMullen,” was born in 1838.

Joseph stood 5’11” with hazel eyes, light hair and a light complexion and was 24 years and probably working as a carpenter in Wayne County, Michigan, when he enlisted in Company B on December 7, 1861, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, crediting Grand Rapids’ Third Ward, and was mustered on December 23 at Detroit. He was reported on “extra duty” in the hospital department from September of 1862 through December, and was serving at Third Brigade headquarters from March of 1863 through July. He was in the commissary department of the First Division in August and again in November.

Joseph reenlisted on December 23, 1863, at Brandy Station, Virginia, and was subsequently absent on veteran’s furlough. Curiously he was alleged to have deserted on January 8, 1864 at Grand Rapids, at just the time when he would have arrived home on veteran’s furlough; in any event, the charge was removed in 1889.

He returned to duty, probably in February of 1864, and was transferred to Company E, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He was reported on detached service in July, but from August through January of 1865 he was absent sick, and was discharged as a Sergeant on May 31, 1865, near Washington, DC, on account of disability.

It is not known if Joseph ever returned to Michigan.

He was married to Mary A.

By 1889 he was probably living in Illinois when he applied for and received a pension (no. 546575).

Joseph probably died in 1895 possibly in Illinois.

In December of 1895 his widow applied for and received a pension (no. 451095).