When most people picture the American Civil War, their minds automatically go to famous battlefields like Gettysburg or the grand southern plantations like those depicted in the classic film Gone with the Wind.
Michigan isn’t often associated with the War Between the States, despite it’s significant contribution as part of the Union Army.
‘To me, it doesn’t seem very well publicized that Michigan was at Gettysburg. They had a pretty big role,? explained Ron Brock, a 26-year-old Civil War memorabilia collector who lives in Oxford.
Michigan sent seven infantry units, one artillery battery and one cavalry brigade to fight at Gettysburg.
From the weapons soldiers used to the personal effects they carried in their haversacks, two showcases full of artifacts from Brock’s extensive collection are now on display at the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum through the middle of August.
Some artifacts were actually used in the war, some represent that period and others are from veterans groups that sprang up after the war like the Grand Army of the Republic in the north and the United Confederate Veterans in the south.
Brock’s been seriously collecting for the last four years, although his interest was sparked as a youngster living in Georgia. He would go to antique shops and collector’s shows with his parents.
‘I’d buy bullets and buttons,? said the 1999 graduate of Oxford High School.
Brock said he’s fascinated with the Civil War because, although it took place nearly 150 years ago, a person can really feel close to it by visiting the battlefields and viewing old photographs.
‘It’s the first war we really had a lot of photographs of,? he said. ‘We really get a chance to see what the war looked like. We don’t have to rely on artists? renderings like the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.?
This is the first time Brock’s put any of his collection, which occupies an entire room in his home, on public display. He thought would it would be ‘a great opportunity? to help people develop an ‘appreciation for history? along with an ‘understanding of Michigan’s pretty substantial role in the Civil War.?
Although Michigan had only 749,113 people living here during the war ? that’s 13.27 people per square mile ? the Great Lakes State sent 92,220 of its sons, brothers and fathers into battle.
The state contributed 30 infantry units, 11 cavalry units and 14 light artillery batteries, not to mention numerous sharpshooters, engineers and mechanics to the Union’s war effort.
Locally, the Civil War had a huge impact on the sparsely populated rural townships of Oxford and Addison, which sent a combined 112 soldiers to fight the Confederacy.
Brock’s collection brings the bloody conflict to life with items like bayonets, a cavalry saber, musket tools and parts, bullets and artillery shells.
Perhaps the most fascinating item is an artillery shell that’s been cut in half.
On the outside, it looks like an ordinary iron cannon ball.
But the inside contains small iron balls called ‘case shot,? a black powder charge and a time-delay fuse that could be set to cause the shell to explode in midair and rain down shrapnel on enemy troops.
In addition to weapons, Brock’s display also includes old photos of soldiers (both paper and tintype), eating utensils, a sardine can, canteen, wallet, dress uniform from the 7th New York Militia and a Confederate $10 bill.
Items from Civil War veteran groups are also on display including ribbons commemorating reunions, a Grand Army of the Republic hat and white gloves, and a magazine from the United Confederate Veterans.
An 1,100-page book containing all the names of Michigan residents who served in the conflict sits atop one of the showcases. There’s also a book with the names of all the Oxford, Addison and Orion residents who served.
‘People can look up their family names to see if they had a relative in the war,? said Brock, who works as an engineer for an automotive supplier in Rochester Hills.
But Brock doesn’t just collect history, he lives it as a Civil War re-enactor, something he’s been doing since last year.
Donning the wool gray and leather uniform of the period, he portrays a Confederate soldier with the 8th Arkansas Infantry.
‘It’s amazing to see how people react to it,? Brock said.
For those wishing to view the Civil War display, the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. during the summer.
Group tours can be arranged on off-days by calling the museum at (248) 628-8413.
The museum is located on the northwest corner of Washington and Burdick streets.