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1st Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| First Michigan Infantry. — Cols., Orlando B. Willcox,
John C. Robinson, Horace S. Roberts, Franklin W. Whittlesey, Ira C.
Abbott; Lieut. -Cols., Loren L. Comstock, Franklin W. Whittlesey, W. A.
Throop; Majs., Alonzo F. Bidwell, George C. Hopper. This regiment was
organized at Detroit in April, 1861, and was mustered in May 1 for three
months. It left the state on May 13 for Washington, led the advance into
Virginia, entering and taking possession of Alexandria May 24, capturing
150 cavalry. It was assigned to the 2nd brigade of Heintzelman's
division and fought at Bull Run, charging one of the strongest of the
enemy's batteries four times under a heavy fire, being compelled to
retire with a loss of 95 in killed, wounded and missing, one-eighth of
its numbers. Its dead were found nearest the enemy's works. It was
mustered out Aug. 7, 1861, but was reorganized at Ann Arbor in August
and September, and was mustered in on Sept. 16 for three years. It left
the state on that date, with the exception of two detachments, and was
on railroad guard duty at Annapolis Junction, Md., during the winter. It
moved to Fortress Monroe in March, 1862, and was engaged at
Mechanicsville, Gaines' mill, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Turkey
bend, White Oak swamp, Malvern hill, Gainesville and the second Bull
Run. In the last named engagement it was one of three regiments to make
the advance, losing 8 officers and 50 per cent of its men in killed and
wounded in a few minutes. It also fought at Antietam, Shepherdstown ford
and Fredericksburg, losing in the last engagement 48 killed and wounded.
It was then in camp near Falmouth until April 27, 1863. It participated
at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, repulsing the enemy repeatedly in
the latter. It joined in pursuit of the enemy, was engaged at
Williamsport, drove the enemy from Manassas gap, and was in the
engagement at Wapping heights. It was then in camp at Beverly ford from
Aug. 8 until Sept. 17; occupied Culpeper until Oct. 11 ; was engaged at
Culpeper, Brandy Station and Bristoe Station ; was in the desperate
engagement at the Rappahannock in November; took part in the Mine Run
campaign, and was in winter quarters at Beverly ford from Dec. 3, 1863,
until Feb. 18, 1864, engaged in picket and guard duty. Most of the
regiment reenlisted in Feb., 1864, and were furloughed home during
March. Upon their return the regiment occupied its old camp at Beverly
ford on April 18 and was attached to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 5th
corps, Army of the Potomac. It participated in the engagement at
Germanna ford on May 5, driving the enemy back and is said to have been
the first infantry force to attack the enemy in the campaign of 1864. It
was almost continually in battle or in skirmishing for 8 days, losing
heavily and participated in the battles of Spottsylvania, Ny river,
North Anna, Jericho mills, Noel's tavern and Totopotomy. Its loss in
killed and wounded during the 8 days noted above was 84. It also fought
at Magnolia swamp and Bethesda Church, and was in front of Petersburg
from June 17, 1864, until April 3, 1865, being engaged at Weldon
railroad, and at Peebles' farm, where, unaided, it stormed and carried
two strong fortifications. It fought at Hatcher's run, Nottaway Court
House, High bridge and Appomattox Court House, and was mustered out at
Jeffersonville, Ind., July 9, 1865. Its original strength was 960: gain
by recruits, 386; total, 1,346. Loss by death, 243. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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