Don G. Lovell.

Birth: 1841

Michigan, USA

Death: Oct. 25, 1907

Tacoma

Pierce County

Washington, USA

New York Times, October 27, 1907.

MAJOR DON G. LOVELL DEAD.

Past Commander of Department of Washington G. A. R.

TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 26.--Major Don G. Lovell dropped dead from heart disease last night while attending a board meeting at the First Church of Christ, Scientist. He was Past Commander of the Department of Washington and Alaska, G. A. R., and a prominent member of the Loyal Legion. Major Lovell was 66 years old.

Don G. Lovell was born at Iona, Mich., in 1841. He received a common school education and went to work as a clerk in a dry goods house. At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted as a private in the Third Michigan Regiment. He served until 1862, when he received the commission of Second Lieutenant and was transferred to the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. He was badly wounded several times, and at the battle of Fair Oaks he received a bullet which he carried at the time of his death.

Lovell was mustered out of active service in 1865 with the rank of Major. He went to Colorado and later to what was then Washington Territory, settling at Tacoma. He aided in organizing Custer Post, G. A. R. He also filled the position of Deputy United States Marshall.

Name: Don George Lovell, Residence: Grand Rapids, Michigan, Age at Enlistment: 24, Enlistment Date: 6 Oct 1861. Rank at enlistment: Corporal State Served: Michigan, Was Wounded?: Yes, Survived the War?: Yes, Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Michigan 3rd Infantry Regiment on 10 Jun 1861. Promoted to Full Corporal. Promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant on 13 Oct 1862. Commissioned an officer in Company F, Michigan 6th Cavalry Regiment on 13 Oct 1862. Promoted to Full Captain on 22 Oct 1863.  Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on 09 May 1863. Promoted to Full Major on 21 Jun 1865. Mustered out on 24 Nov 1865. Birth Date: abt 1837 Sources: Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65, Union Blue: History of MOLLUS U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles

Name: Don G. Lovell, Death Date: 25 Oct 1907, Death Place: Tacoma, Pierce, Washington. Age at Death: 66 years 1 month 13 days. Estimated Birth Year: 1841. Father's Name: George Lovell,; volume/Page/Certificate Number: CN 272. Collection: Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960.

Burial: Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

The following was taken from a book by J. H. Kidd, called; Personal Recollections of a Cavalryman.

In troop "F", commanded by Captain William Hyser, was Second Lieutenant Don G. Lovell, one of the three

veteran officers. He went out as corporal in the Third Michigan infantry, was wounded at Fair Oaks, and again at Trevillian Station while serving in the cavalry. He was one of the bravest of the brave.

Captain Don G. Lovell, of the Sixth Michigan, the senior officer present with the regiment, greatly distinguished himself in the difficult duty of  guarding the rear, meeting emergencies as they arose with the characteristic courage and coolness which distinguished him on all occasions on the field of battle.

CAPTAIN LOVELL'S DISCOVERY.

Captain Don G. Lovell, who was riding by the side of the commanding officer of the regiment,* suddenly cried out : "Major, there is a mounted man in the edge of the woods yonder," at the same time pointing to a place directly in front and about 200 yards beyond the fence.

Captain Lovell was one of the most dashing and intrepid officers in the brigade. He was always cool and never carried away with excitement under any circumstances. It is perhaps doubtful whether he could have

maintained his customary imperturbability, if he had realized, at the moment, just what that lone picket portended.

A glance in the direction indicated, revealed the truth of Captain Lovell' s declaration but, recalling what General Custer had said, I replied :

"The general said we might expect some mounted men of the Seventh from that direction." "But that vidette is a rebel," retorted Lovell, "he is dressed in gray. " "It can't be possible," was the insistent reply, and the column kept on moving.

Just then, the man in the woods began to ride his horse in a circle. "Look at that," said Lovell; "that is a rebel signal; our men don't do that."

The truth of the inference was too evident to be disputed. Things were beginning to look suspicious, and in another instant all doubt, if any remained, was set at rest. The horseman, after circling about a time or two, brought his horse to a standstill facing in the direction from which we were approaching. There was a puff of smoke from the muzzle of his revolver or carbine, and a bullet whizzed by and buried itself in the breast of one of the horses in the first set of fours.

"There, — it," exclaimed Lovell. "Now you know it is a rebel, don't you? "

The information was too reliable not to be convincing, and the regiment was promptly brought front into line, which had hardly been accomplished, when shots began to come from other points in the woods, and no further demonstration was needed that they were full of confederates.