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26th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry. — Cols., Judson S.
Farrar, Henry H. Wells; Lieut. -Col., Henry H. Wells; Majs., William D.
Donnell, Nathan Church. This regiment was organized at Jackson and was
mustered in Dec. 12, 1862. It left the state Dec. 13, reported at
Washington, was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, and was thus
employed until April, 1863, when it was sent to Suffolk, Va., for
defense. On June 20 it moved to Yorktown, marched to the Chickahominy,
then returned to Yorktown and proceeded to New York to maintain peace in
the draft riots. It joined the Army of the Potomac Oct. 13, was attached
to this, 1st brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, and came to be recognized
as the skirmish regiment of the division. It was engaged at Mine run and
then went into winter quarters at Stevensburg. It was at the battle of
the Wilderness, part of the time in reserve, and charged Stuart's
dismounted cavalry on May 7, capturing a number of prisoners and
important despatches. It was in the engagements at Corbin's bridge, the
Ny river, the Po river and Spottsylvania, where it participated in the
charge of the 2nd corps when the works were carried in a hand-to-hand
fight with the bayonet, the colors of the 26th being the first planted.
It also captured 2 brass guns and the gunners, its loss being 27 killed,
98 wounded and 14 missing. It was next engaged at the North Anna,
Totopotomy, and Cold Harbor, and was in the assault at Petersburg on
June 16, in which the first line was carried. It fought at the Weldon
railroad, was engaged at Deep Bottom, where its brigade drove the enemy
and captured 4 guns, the 26th leading in skirmish line. The regiment
attacked double its numbers the following day and drove them for half a
mile. In August it was engaged at Strawberry Plains, White Oak swamp,
and Reams' station, where it assisted in repelling repeated assaults and
took part in the charge when the works taken by the enemy were retaken.
It remained before Petersburg during the winter and in March, 1865,
charged the enemy's works at Peebles' farm, capturing a portion of them.
It was in action at Hatcher's run, the Boydton road, White Oak road,
Sutherland's station, Amelia Springs, Deatonsville, Sailor's creek, High
bridge and Farmville, and was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered, having
captured over 400 prisoners between March 28 and April 9, and lost 60
killed and wounded. It was ordered to Washington on May 2, was in the
grand review, and was mustered out at Bailey's cross-roads, June 4. The
original strength was 903 : gain by recruits, 95 ; total; 998. Loss by
death 259. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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