24th Regiment Michigan Infantry 

It crossed the Rappahanock River at Fredricksburg on December the 12th., then on the 13th and 14th supported a battery during the two days of fighting there, being constantly under fire of the Confederates guns and losing quite heavily in killed and wounded.

At Port Royal on the 23rd. of April, the Regiment made a brilliant attack, capturing a number of prisoners and driving the Southern forces from the field. The Twenty-Fourth again crossed the Rappahanock on the 29th., driving the defenders from his works, again capturing a number of prisoners, but, suffering considerable loss itself in killed and wounded.

The Twenty-Fourth entered upon the Gettysburg Campaign, soon to experience all the glory and horrors of one of the most desperate battles ever fought on the American continent. The Brigade to which the Twenty-Fourth belonged, by it's steadiness under fire, it's prompt obedience to orders, it's determination to hold it's ground under any circumstances and it's readiness to assault the opponents, earned it a place in the "Iron Brigade". Know as such throughout the war, its accolades continue, even to this day. That honorable distinction was that accorded to the Brigade during the war, has passed as such into history.

The First Corp, of which the Twenty-Fourth formed a part, marched from the Rappahanock River through Pennsylvania, arriving at Gettysburg on July the 1st., when it was immediately engaged.

It was one of the first of the infantry commands to come into action in the three day's battle. The first order it received was to charge the Confederates, who were assaulting the beleagured federal cavalry, then holding the field.

The Twenty-Fourth, with a large part of the Division dashed forward, capturing a large part of the Confederate General Archer's Brigade. The Brigade then changed front, then formed a line of battle at McPherson's woods. The Confederates advanced in double lines, their numbers being sufficient to overlap and flank the Union forces, all of the while pouring a murderous fire into the line of blue, forcing it slowly back into a new position.

The carnage here was frightful. The ground was strewn with the dead, dying and wounded, four color bearers were killed, three wounded in holding the flag aloft. The Twenty-Fourth went into action with 28 officers and 468 men. During the day 22 officers were killed and wounded along with 71 men killed, while 223 were wounded, for a total loss of 316 combatants Colonel Morrow received a severe scalp wound, then fell into the hands of the attackers. He was removed to a house in Gettysburg, luckily when the Confederates retreated he was left in that town, surviving, later to eloquently describe these events in his action report. The Regiment occupied Culp's Hill the second and third days of the battle; but, was not again heavily engaged in the fight.

The Regiment, then in command of Captain Edwards, all the field officers having been killed or wounded, marched from the battlefield July 6, in pursuit of the fleeing Confederates, then crossed the Potomac River, reaching the Rappahanock River on Aug. 1st.

During the summer and fall the Regiment made a number of long marches, occupied important positions, coming in contact with the Confederates at Mine Run, where it distinguished itself by driving the defenders into their works, capturing a number of prisoners. It went into winter quarters at Culpepper, then on May 3, 1864, crossed the Rapidan River, to take part in the desperate struggle that was the Wilderness.

During it's engagements with the Southern forces in the wilds of the Wilderness, it captured the colors of the Forty-Eighth Virginia Infantry, together with a large number of prisoners; but, at a cost of 18 killed, 46 wounded and 42 missing. Colonel Morrow was again severely wounded, whereby the Regiment passed to the command to Captain Edwards, who had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

From the Wilderness the Regiment marched to Spottsylvania, where it was constantly under fire until the 21st of May, losing 11 killed, 39 wounded. In crossing the North Anna River on the 23rd., the Regiment was attacked but repulsed the assailants with a loss to the Twenty-Fourth of 3 killed, 8 wounded and 5 missing.

In the advance upon Cold Harbor it met with considerable loss, then after crossing the James River made a successful assault upon the defences at Petersburg, taking into action 120 men, losing 38 in killed and wounded.

The Twenty-Fourth participated in the Siege of Petersburg, meeting with considerable loss from Confederate artillery and sharpshooters. Several times it was called upon to repel the attacks of the Confederates, abstinently holding the ground, driving the attackers off with great slaughter.

On October 29, it was engaged in the battle of Hatcher's Run, then took part in several expeditions around Petersburg, though reduced in number by constant losses, still fought with spirit and vigor. It's last serious engagement was at Dabney's Mills. On the 11th of February, 1865, it was ordered to Baltimore, Md. for special duty, then from that city the Regiment was sent to Springfield, Ill., where it did garrison duty at a camp rendezvous, while there was extended the honor to escort the funeral procession of the slain President Lincoln.

June 19th the Twenty-Fourth left Springfield for Detroit where it was mustered out, paid off disbanded on June 30, 1865.

During its term of service, they were engaged at:

Fredricksburg,Va./ Port Royal,Va./ Fitzhugh Crossing,Va./ Chancellorsville,Va./ Westmorland,Va./ Gettysburg,Pa./ Mine Run,Va./ Raccoon Ford,Va./ Wilderness,Va./ Spottsylvania,Va./ North Anna River,Va./ Tolopotomy,Va./ Cold Harbor,Va./ Bethesda Church,Va./Petersburg,Va./ Weldon Railroad,Va./ Hicksford,Va./ Hatcher's Run,Va./ Dabney's Mills,Va.

Total Enrollment--2104..... Killed in Action--125..... Died of Wounds--42..... Died in Confederate Prisons--28..... Died of Disease--109..... Discharged for Wounds--254

Copyright © 1995, Don Harvey, Revised 13 June 1996