The emergency was sudden and alarming. Prompt action and strong meas­ures must at once prevail; the necessities of the time must be met; the exist­ing deficiencies supplied; the burdens of the struggle borne; great sacrifices of life and means must be made, and a country saved. How these were so trium­phantly accomplished has gone into history as the grandest achievement on record.

Michigan, in common with the other Northern States, had shared in the prevailing indifference as to possible internal discord which might lead to a civil war, and had never actually or impliedly conceded its possibility until the first blow was struck. The people had made the wish father to the thought, that as American citizens they were loyal to the Nation; they would expect it in others, and proposed to hold all innocent until guilt was indisputably proven. Thus the times of peace had not been devoted to a preparation for war. The preliminary arming, the antecedent training, the husbanding of resources, the abatement of encumbrances, the occupancy of advantageous positions necessary to enter a terrible conflict, had all been forgotten in the fancied security of continuing peace; and the enemy vigorously assailed the walls while the unthinking garrison was yet engaged in the peaceful avoca­tions of life, and the rusty weapons of years past yet remained in quiet arsenals of the land until they became a prey to treason and rebellion.