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7th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War

Regimental History
Seventh Michigan Infantry. — Cols., Ira R. Grosvenor, Norman J. Hall; Lieut. - Cols., Frazy M. Winans, Henry Baxter, S. Newell Smith, Amos E. Steele, Jr., George W. La Point; Majs., Nathaniel B. Eldridge, Sylvanus W. Curtis, Moracio Van Sickle. This regiment was organized at Monroe, and was mustered in Aug. 22, 1861. It left the state Sept. 5 and encamped in the vicinity of Washington during the fall and winter. It was engaged at Ball's bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks, where it participated in the bayonet charge that broke the enemy's line, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak swamp, Charles City cross-roads and Malvern hill. It fought at the second Bull Run, was with Gen. McClellan at South mountain and Antietam, and with Burnside's army at Fredericksburg, where it crossed the Rappahannock in small boats (the first Union troops to land on the opposite side) and with the assistance of the 19th Mass. dislodged the sharpshooters and captured almost as many prisoners as its own numbers. This was one of the most gallant acts of the war. The regiment was on provost guard at Falmouth until May 3, 1863; was then engaged at Chancellorsville and Haymarket, and at Gettysburg lost 21 killed and 44 wounded, being under a heavy fire and responding spiritedly. It was next engaged at Falling Waters, was then ordered to New York during the draft riots, after which it was on picket duty at Summerville ford until Oct. 6. It was then in action at Bristoe Station, Robertson's tavern and Mine run, and went into winter quarters at Barry's Hill on Dec. 7. Here 162 reenlisted as veterans and were sent home on furlough. They returned on Feb. 16, 1864, remained in quarters until May 3, when the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, and corps. It participated at the battles of the Wilderness, Po river, Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Ny river, Totopotomy, and Cold Harbor, and went into the trenches at Petersburg on June 15. It was in the engagements at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station, the Boydton road, Hatcher's run and Burgess' tavern, where the regiment captured 480 men, 20 officers and a stand of colors. Being left unsupported through some misunderstanding, it was obliged to fight its way back to the army after it was nearly surrounded. It was on garrison duty at Fort Stedman during November, and then on fatigue, picket and skirmish duty until Feb. 10, when it went into winter quarters near Fort Siebert, remaining there until March 29. It was in the engagement at Hatcher's run and was part of the force to charge the enemy's works at Cat Tail creek in April, capturing 2 forts and 3 guns; then following down the line carried 5 more forts (well defended) and 500 prisoners. It was engaged at Farmville, capturing many prisoners. It was cut off from the brigade by the enemy, but faced about, and made a charge which was repulsed, though the regiment held its ground until relieved by reinforcements. It lost 3 officers and 34 men captured. It started for Appomattox on the 8th and after Lee's surrender was sent to Burkeville. On May 2 it was ordered to Richmond and on the 6th to Washington, where it participated in the grand review. It left for Louisville June 16, reaching there the 22nd. It was sent to Jeffersonville, Ind., on provost duty and was mustered out July 5, 1865. Its original strength was 884: gain by recruits, 509; total 1,393. Loss by death, 338.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3

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