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G, 4th United States Artillery, joined his company in Mexico, and served with faithfulness and efficiency in that country, on the Western Plains, in Texas and in Florida. He was also stationed at different times at Forts Washington, Ontario, Mifflin and Independence. He was promoted to a First Lieutenancy in 1850. But his tastes afterwards led him towards civil life, and on the 10th of September, 1857 he resigned his commission in the army, was immediately admitted to the bar at Detroit, and commenced the practice of the profession of law in his native city. He was gradually winning his way to an honorable place in his new profession, when the rebellion broke out. Like other army officers who had retired to civil life, he heard the summons to arms-as though it was personally addressed to himself. He accepted the command of the 1st Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, and was mustered into the service of the United States as Colonel on the 1st of May, 1861. When the decision was made to march into Virginia, the 1st Michigan was selected to form a portion of the force. Colonel Willcox led his regiment into Alexandria on the night of the 24th of May, and captured a company of rebel cavalry that was quartered there under command of Captain Ball. He was appointed Military Governor of the city upon its permanent occupation by our troops. In the advance on Manassas, Colonel Willcox was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade in Colonel Heintzelman's Division, and, marching on Fairfax Station, July 17th, took eleven prisoners and one stand of colors.

In the battle of Bull Run on the 21st of July, Colonel Willcox's brigade was engaged about noon and fought very bravely, until its commander was severely wounded and taken prisoner, when its position was turned, and the army was driven back to Centreville. Colonel Willcox tasted the bitterness of Southern imprisonment, at Richmond, Charleston, Columbia and Salisbury, at one time being held as one of the hostages for some captured privateersmen whom we held in our hands. For a period of twelve months and twenty-six days he

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