Civil War Historian Ray Herek to Speak Wednesday at Stein Haus

College Professor Wrote Book on Michigan Sharpshooters

April 9, 2006
By: Dave Rogers

Raymond J. Herek, native of Bay City and professor of History at Alpena Community College, will speak Wednesday night to the 7th Michigan Cavalry Civil War Round Table.

The Round Table meets at 6 p.m. for refreshments and 7 p.m. for dinner at the Stein Haus, 1108 N. Water St. Reservations may be made with Dee Dee Wacksman, 892-1136, Keith Markstrom, 893-0819, or Dave Rogers, 686-5544.


Mr. Herek is the author of the highly acclaimed regimental history, "First Michigan Sharpshooters: These Men Have Seen Hard Service." The book is 560 pages and was published by Wayne State University Press in 1998.

Described as "a master storyteller," Mr. Herek was graduated from Central Michigan University. He recently retired from theAlcona, Michigan, public schools.

In the book Mr. Herek writes of the only Native Americans to serve in the Army of the Potomac, Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters.

From serving as prison guards at Camp Douglas, Chicago, to the fiery battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and the siege of Petersburg, the book describes how the men of this Michigan regiment saw "hard service."

The First Michigan Sharpshooters is included among one of William F. Fox's "top 300 Union Fighting Regiments."

Keith Markstrom described last month how several members of the 7th Michigan Cavalry survived the sinking of the Sultana. Some of the members of the First Michigan Sharpshooters also survived that disaster and Mr. Herek may shed some light on that incident as well as the other activities of the regiment.

Wednesday night's meeting is the final opportunity to make your reservations for a planned April 28-30 trip to Springfield, Illinois, to visit Abraham Lincoln historic sites. Please contact Mr. Markstrom or Mr. Rogers. Cost of the bus trip is $95 while meals and accommodations are on your own.###