Isaac Metty

So the reader may ask, who was this Isaac Metty who died in the service of his country! Isaac was the third of eight children born to the union of Isaias (Eli) and Mary Anne Beauregard. He was born on 7 November 1841 and baptized the following August 1842 at St. Mary's Church in Monroe, Michigan. He enlisted in Company K of the 7th Michigan Volunteers on 29 January 1864 at Monroe, Michigan for a term of three years. The company was mustered at Detroit on the following day. At the time of enlistment, Isaac was described as being 5'6" in height, fair complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. His occupation is given as farmer.

The Seventh was reassembled at the end of January 1864 and returned to its old camp at Barry's Hill. In May the regiment started on the long campaign which finally ended in the siege of Petersburg and the surrender of the army of northern Virginia. It was part of the famous Second Corps, and crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford on the 4th of May. It was soon engaged with the enemy in the fearful struggle of the Wilderness. Everyday of this march was written in the blood of the Seventh. It fought at Spottsylvania, where it assaulted the enemy's works with great loss. It took part in the series of engagements following Spottsylvania, and was in the disastrous charge at Cold Harbor.

After Isaac joined the 7th, it was engaged at Wilderness, VA., May 5 and 6, 1864,; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va.,, May 12, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; Ny River, Va., May 24, 1864 and Totopotomy, Va., May 30, May 31 and June 1, 1864. Isaac was killed in action during the second day of the Battle of Totopotomy Creek, at a place called Meadows Run.

In all probability, Isaac was buried somewhere there in the fields where he was killed. Fortunately however someone had to have marked the spot with his name and unit for when his remains were later exhumed and reinterred after the establishment of the Richmond National Cemetery in 1866, he was one of some 800 who were identified rather than one of the thousands of unknown soldiers who were buried beside him. Perhaps it was his cousin James who helped with the identification and burial on the May day in 1864, since he had enlisted and served side by side in the same company with Isaac.