ABOUT THE EVENT:
SGT. BENJAMIN VAN RAALTE
Company I, 25th MI Volunteers
In 1862, Benjamin Van Raalte enlisted in Company I, 25th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The 25th served in the Western Theatre of the Civil War, participating in a series of garrison details prior to taking part in Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and subsequent March to the Sea.
During his time in service, through meritorious action, Ben was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the color company of the 25th. This was accomplished through a single action where Ben Van Raalte rescued the unit’s colors under enemy fire. The regimental standard he saved became his charge for the remainder of the war and now resides in the state museum in Lansing, along with the rest of Michigan’s Civil War banners.
After the war, Ben returned home and his father, A.C. Van Raalte, gave him the land that today makes up Van Raalte Farm. During his time here, Ben formed the A.C. Van Raalte post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He served as the post’s second commander, and remained active in veterans affairs for the rest of his life.
BATTLE OF UTOY CREEK
The Battle of Utoy Creek was fought from August 5 to August 7, 1864. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s Union armies had partially encircled the city of Atlanta, Georgia, which was being held by Confederate forces under the command of Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. Sherman had adopted a strategy of attacking the railroad lines into Atlanta, hoping to cut off his enemies’ supplies.
Sherman wanted to extend his right flank to hit the railroad. He transferred Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield’s Army of the Ohio from his left to right flank and sent him to the north bank of Utoy Creek. Schofield’s troops were at the Creek on August 2nd, but did not cross until August 4th. Schofield’s force began its movement on the morning of the 5th.
Although initially successful, Schofield had to regroup his forces. The delay allowed the Confederates to strengthen their defenses, which slowed the Union attack when it restarted on the morning of August 6. Troops led by William B. Bates’ division suffered heavy losses and failed in an attempt to break the railroad. On August 7, the Union troops moved toward the Confederate main line where they remained until late August.
VAN RAALTE FARM
Click here for directionsThe City of Holland purchased the historic 160-acre farm in 1983.
The farmhouse is one of the last structures remaining in Holland associated with the family of the founder, Reverend Albertus C. Van Raalte. Van Raalte purchased the property in 1847 and gave a good portion of the land to his son Ben after he returned from the war.
In 1989, eleven acres of the farm, including the original farmhouse and two barns built between 1865 and 1875, were listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
