To speak of self is the hardest task the Compiler has undertaken I will attempt to give some of the events which have occurred during an uneventful life

My youthful days were spent on the farm in summer and district school in winter Instruction at that early period consisted of reading writing & cyphering, with a sprinkle of geography & grammar thrown in. 1849 I was apprenticed to tailoring and for several years followed Like other Delanos I was possessed of a roving disposition 1856 found me in Chicago and for variety shipped before the mast on board Schooner "Cascade" of Cleveland 0. to Oswego NY with wheat. The novelty wore off when seasick, after a voyage of 12 days arrived at our destination & paid off

In my younger days I desired to become a soldier, so went to Buffalo June 20-1856. The next morning was at recruiting office of Uncle Sam’s, enlisted for 5 yrs. donning the blue June 21-1856. I was sent to Newport Barracks Ky drilled and then to Ft Meyers Fla some 28 miles above the mouth of Calosahatchee River

Assigned to Capt Randolph B Marcys Co. "D" 5th U S Inf Gustavus Loomis Col. Jan 1857 active operations began against Seminole Indians under leadership of Chief Billy Bowlegs. The Regt continued to scout during spring & summer until June 1857, engaged in several skirmishes. One in particular which occurred in Billy Bowlegs garden Mar 5-1857 in which the writer acted, our loss was 2 k. & 7 wounded. June 1857 5th U S Inf was ordered to Ft Leavenworth Kan for the Utah Expedition leaving Ft Meyers behind, crossing the Gulf to the mouth of the Mississippi River, up that and the Missouri to Leavenworth July 20-1857 On the 23d the long and tiresome march of 1250 miles commenced, after review before Brig Gen W S Harney. The old California trail was followed across the great American desert to Ft Kearney, Ft Laramie and on to Bridgers fort 150 miles fr. Salt Lake City, arrived Nov 24-1857 after enduring many hardships; toiling through hot sands of the desert during July Aug & Sept and snows of the Rocky mountains of Oct & Nov. The army under Brig Gen Albert S Johnson consisted of 5th & 10th Inf 2d Regt of Dragoons & Battery B 4th Artil, lay at Ft Bridgers until June 1858 suffering with cold & hunger, on half rations In June the march was resumed towards Salt Lake; arrived the latter part of month, passed through and encamped temporarily in the valley some 10 miles west city Permanent camp established some 55 miles s of Salt Lake C. & west of Utah lake in Cedar Valley, named Camp Floyd after Sec of War. Adobe houses were erected My Regt remained until Jul 1860 when it received orders to march across the mountains to New Mexico. Accomplished under Maj E R S Canby 10th Inf.

Passed through Santa Fe, and Albuquerque arrived at Ocho del Oso or Bear Springs 150 miles W. of Albu. heart of the Navajos Indian nation then hostile to the Gov

The Indians attacked our camp and herds within a few days after arrival resulted in a running fight of four miles They wounded several of our men and ran off 75 mules. Indian loss 2 k. & 15 wounded. Scouting & skirmishing continued during winter until May 1861 when they sued for peace

June 21-1861--My five years service in Co D 5th Regt expired and prepared to start for Ind After delay transportation was secured in one of Ambrose Armiejo trains of Albuquerque N M. then going to Kansas City for goods. Arrived home Shelby Co Aug 23-1861. The \Var had begun, recruiting for the Army was in order. I began an active canvass of my neighborhood, secured some 30 odd to my paper, joined in with two other men of the Co & marched to Camp Morton Indianapolis Sept 24- 1861. James E McGuier Capt. John M Flynn 1st Lt & Joel A Delano 2d Lt Co F, was attached to 51st Regt Ind Vol Inf under Col Abel D Straight Lt Col Benj Spooner & Maj. W’m Colescott

Dec 14th the Regt. started to the front, arriving at Louisville Ky thence to Bardstown Ky. and Nashville was Brigaded with other Regt. The latter part of Mar 1862 the Army under Gen Buell marched to Pittsburgh landing arriving 7th April last day battle of Shiloh.

Regt marched to Tuscumbia & Decatur Ala. thence to Steveson & Bridgeport Ala. & to Louisville after Gent Bragg & rebel Army. Engaged him at Perryville Oct 8 1862 continued to follow him towards Cumberland Gap after this army marched to Nashville where we lay till near the last of Dec when Army of the Cumberland marched upon Bragg at Murfreesboro, engagement Dec 30 & 31 1862 & Jan I & 2 1863 At this battle I was detailed to command Co I. In latter part of Apr 1863 my Col succeeded in obtaining a separate command of 4 Regts on an expedition or raid through northern Ala & Geo to destroy Railroads & bridges in rear of Gent Bragg. The four; 51st 73d Ind., 3d 0 & 80th 111 left Nashville passed down the Cumberland & Ohio River to Paducah Ky. up Tennessee to Hamburg, and mounted started on the raid. Gent Forest of the rebel Cay hearing of our contemplated raid succeeded in getting in our rear and pressing close to rear guard we were compelled to halt, form line of battle, and on Apr 29-1863 the battle of Days Gap Ala was fought, the enemy repulsed, a section of his Artillery captured & destroyed, for four days had a running fight between Col Straight Union forces & Genl Forest Confed. near Rome Ga where we surrendered May 3-1863. Prisoner of War.-- Little did I think, when surrender was made that I should be held for 22 months in the vile prison pens of the south such as Libby in Richmond Va. Macon Ga. Charleston & Columbia S. C. but such was the case

I was paroled and passed through the line Mar 1-1865 near Wilmington NC. thence to Annapolis Md where a good square meal in Gods country was obtained and relished. Thirty days furlough to visit home and friends was given me which was enjoyed, after which I was ordered to re-join my Co & Regt at Nashville to which I reported May following. The Regt with others was ordered to Texas and Aug 1865 we reached our destination at San Antonio where I was mustered out of the service Dec 14-1865

Sept 24-1861 as 2d Lt. promoted 1st Lt Oct 25-1862, promoted Capt Co F 51st Ind Vols Dec 15th 1864, promoted Major of 51st Ind Vet Vol Inf Oct 1st 1865 all given under the hand of Oliver P Morton Gov of Ind

Upon the organization of Post 291 Dpt of Mich Jan 1885 was elected its first Commander, and held office (after interval of 2 years) for 7 years in succession & Adjt of the Post for 3 years. With no intention on my part towards compiling a genealogy of the Delano family I commenced an enquiry in reference to my own immediate branch only, but soon found’ myself deeply involved, this occurred Feb 1889. The work became very fascinating as I continued and if I have accomplished anything in this labor of love to meet your approbation I feel fully compensated in my long drawn out task. Only asking you to overlook shortcomings and be charitably inclined; I bid you adieu--

                      Joel Andrew Delano