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The organization of the Michigan Engineers was specially authorized by the War Department, to be composed principally of engineers and mechanics. The authority to raise it with the sanction of the Governor of the State, was given to Wm. Innes, of Grand Rapids, a practical civil engineer, who was appointed the Colonel and vested with the full power to designate its officers, to be commissioned by the Governor.1st Regiment Michigan Engineers
1861-5
The recruitment of the Regiment commenced in August, 1861, which progressed rapidly, when by the end of October was reported ready for muster, which was accomplished on the 11th. of December, by Captain Mizner, of the U.S. Army, the muster to take effect from the 29th. of October.
The Regiment, under the command of Colonel Innes, left Marshall, the place of its rendezvous, with an aggregate strength of 1032 officers and men, on December 17th., with orders to proceed to Louisville,Ky, there to be assigned to the Army of the Ohio, under the command of General Buell, when upon reporting, were assigned to duty in four detachments. One under the command of Colonel Innes, to report to General McCook, 1st. Division, at Munfordsville,Ky, consisting of companies "B", "E" an "I", another detachment, under the command of Lt. Colonel Hunton, to report to Lebanon,Ky, to General Thomas, 2nd. Division, comprising the companies "D", "F" and "G". The third detachment was to report to New Haven,KY, to General Nelson, 3rd. Division,the fourth detachment to report to General Nelson, 4th. Division, at Bacon Creek,Ky., with companies "A" and "K".
During the month of January, 1862, these detachments were engaged in various duties. Those under the command of General Mitchell, comprised the first Union troops to enter Bowling Green, after the Confederates evacuated it, while those under the command of General Thomas were engaged in the battle at Mill Springs,Ky. on January the 19th. On February the 14th., companies "B"' "E" and "I", set out for Nashville,Tn., where the whole Regiment was then concentrating, while during the march, constructed railroad bridges at Franklin, Columbia, and Murfreesboro, along with other localities.
On April the 3rd., the Regiment commenced the march with Buell's, Army of the Ohio, to Pittsburgh Landing,Tn., reaching there on the 15th., in time to help Grants Army out of a disastrous position, then turning it into a Federal victory. On the 1st. of June the Regiment, or most thereof, marched to Corinth,MS, thence to Huntsville and Decatur,Al., along the route of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad, building over 1300 feet of bridges, cleared out one blown up tunnel, built 700 feet of trestle, over 65 feet high, all the while laying over three miles of track.
In August, the Regiment, set out for Louisville, arriving on the 25th. of that month, remaining until October, at which time they set out for Perryville, where they were involved in the engagement there, remaining in the area until the 12th., at which time they set out for Nashville, arriving there on the 31st. While in the Nashville area they constructed nine bridges before setting out on the march to Lavernge,Tn., where on the 1st. of January 1863, it became most signally distinguished, where its gallant conduct on that occasion, gives it a most noted page in the history of the War.
While the battle for Stone River was raging, the Regiment was ordered to remain at Lavernge to protect the communications through the area. Positioned on a prominence overlooking the area, they were savagely attacked by Confederate cavalry, under the command of General Wheeler. The Confederates, 3000 strong, with 3 pieces of Artillery, demanded an immediate surrender of the Engineers, when they refused, attacked them in force, but were spiritedly repulsed. Seven times the southern horsemen charged, seven times they were driven back, suffering heavy loss in the attacks, the Confederates withdrew, leaving the Engineers in possession of the town and its vital communications.
From January 1st. to June 29,1863 the Regiment remained in Tennessee, building a total of nine bridges, then in July built a bridge at Bridgeport, over 460 feet long, another at the Duck River 350 feet in length. In November of 1864, the Regiment was assigned to the 14th. Corp, then set out with General Sherman on the March to the Sea, being associated with all of the movements of that army, whichn whenever a strong point in the line of communications was needed the Regiment did the necessary construction work, in addition to its normal duties of railroad line repair on all of the major networks between Atlanta, Savannah and Bentonville.
When the Confederate Army's surrendered, the Regiment was at Goldsboro with the 20th. Corp, then marched to Raleigh, from where on the 30th., moved with the 17th. Corp on the march to Washington, where on the 24th. of April, marched with that Corp in the Grand Review, then went into camp at Georgetown, until July 1st., when they were ordered to Nashville, where they were mustered out of the federal service on September 22nd, sent by rail to Jackson,Mi, arriving there on the 25th., they were paid off and disbanded.
During their term of federal service, they were engaged at:
Mill Springs,Ky/ Farmington,Ms/ Corinth,Ms/ Perryville,Ky/ Lavernge,Tn/ Chattanooga,Tn/ Atlanta,Ga/ Savannah,Ga/ Bentonville,N.C.
Total Enrollment--3200..... Killed in Action--6..... Died of Wounds--7..... Died of Disease--342
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Copyright © 1995, Don Harvey, Revised 12 June 1996