WHO
Sgt. Benjamin Van Raalte
Company I, 25th
MI Volunteers
Benjamin Van Raalte was born on May 8, 1840 in Overijssel Province of the Netherlands. He immigrated to the United States with his father, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte.
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 of 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 singular action where Ben Van Raalte rescued the unit's colors under enemy fire to prevent them from being captured. 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 was instrumental in forming 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. Part of the land now known as the Van Raalte Farm was given to
Ben after his return from the Civil War. This is where Ben began the equally successful peacetime activities of his life.
WHAT
Battle of Utoy Creek 1864
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 beld 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 with abates, which slowed the Union attack when it restarted on the morning of August 6. The Federals were repulsed with heavy losses by William B. Bates' division and failed in an attempt to break the railroad. On August 7, the Union troops moved toward the Confederate main line and entrenched. Here they remained until late August.
WHERE
Holland's Historic Van Raalte Farm
The 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 to barns built between 1865, and 1875, were listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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