1st Regiment Michigan Sharpshooters

The recruitment of the Regiment was partially completed on July 7,1863, when it was mustered into the service of the United States, with six companies, four other companies being subsequently mustered in.

During the Morgan Raid into Ohio and Indiana, the Regiment, under the command of Colonel DeLand, was ordered to Indianapolis, thence proceeded to Seymour. Following Morgan's raiders, they caught up with, then attacked the rear guard of the southerners at North Vernon, on July the 13th., again on the 14th., capturing some prisoners. Subsequently they returned to Dearborn, where they continued to recruit until the Regiment was complete, with its ten full companies. On the 16th. of August the Regiment proceeded under orders to Chicago, where they were placed in charge of guarding Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas.

On the 14th. of February, 1864, they were assigned to the 2nd. Brigade, 3rd. Division (Wilcox's), of the 9th. Corp, leaving Chicago on March 17th. with orders to join that Corp at Annapolis,Md.

The Regiment, under the command of Colonel DeLand, marched from there on the 23rd. of April for Warrenton Junction, arriving there on the 28th., joining the Army of the Potomac, then entering on the summer campaign, left Warrenton Junction, crossing the Rapidan River, on the 5th. of May.

On the 6th. and the 7th., they were caught up in the terror that was the battle of the Wilderness, sustaining a loss of 7 killed, 17 wounded and 1 missing. Marching with the army to Spottsylvania Court House, they participated in the battle there on the 9th.,10th. and 12th. of May, suffering very severely, especially on the 12th., losing 34 men killed, 117 wounded and 4 missing, among the dead, being, Major Piper. The Regiment, under the command of Major Rhines, Colonel DeLand, being wounded on the 12th., arrived at the banks of the North Anna River on the 23rd., where they were warmly engaged in several skirmishes with the Confederates on the same day, losing 2 killed,7 wounded and 5 missing. On the 26th. the Regiment again moved, by a circuitous route, to the Pamuncky River, crossing it, then arriving at Tolopotomy Creek on the 29th., where they were involved in skirmishing, then on June the 2nd., they resumed the march, arriving at Bethesda Church the same day.

On the 4th., they marched to Cold Harbor, laying in the front lines, then during the action there, resuming the march to the James River on the night of the 15th., joining in Grant's Campaign to take Richmond. Crossing the James River on the night of the 15th., arrived in front of Petersburg, there to become so heavily engaged and so specially distinguished in charging and holding Confederate works, then repulsing repeated assaults to retake the same, that this bloody battle becomes one of the most prominent events in the history of the Regiment. During these desperate struggles, Major Rhines, along with 31 others, fell dead, while an additional 46 were wounded with 84 missing.

The Regiment remained in front of Petersburg until the 19th. of August, at which time they moved on the Weldon Railroad, then on to Ream's Station enroute to the battle near Peeble's Farm and Poplar Spring Church. They were engaged yet again at Pegram's Farm, on October the 2nd., then at the Boydon Plank Road, on the 8th. The casualties to the Regiment while in the actions surrounding Petersburg amounted to 27 killed with 6 wounded.

On the 27th. of October, the Regiment took part in the movement at Hatcher's Run, then returned to there old lines at Petersburg.

On April the 2nd. of 1865, the Regiment, was again, most signally acquired a very enviable notoriety and great credit while making a demonstration on the Confederate works, shortly before the city fell, forcing Lee to retreat to his inevitable surrender.

The Regiment remained at Petersburg, until marching to Alexandria, then to Georgetown, encamping until the 23rd. of May, at which time they participated in the Grand Review held in Washington, from there returning to the Georgetown camp until being mustered out on the 28th. of July, returning to Jackson,Mi on the 31st, there to be paid off and disbanded on the 7th. of August.

During their term of federal service, they were engaged at:

North Vernon,In./ Pierceville,In./ Wilderness,Va./ Ny River,Va./ Po River,Va./ Spottsylvania,Va./ Ox Ford,Va./ North Anna,Va./ Tolopotomy,Va./ Bethesda Church,Va/ Cold Harbor,Va./ Petersburg,Va./ The Crater,Va./ Weldon R.R.,Va./ Ream's Station,Va./ Poplar Spring Ch,Va./ Pegram Farm,Va./ Boydon Road,Va./ Hatcher's Run,Va./ Fort Steedman,Va./ Fort McGilvery,Va.

Total Enrollment--1364.....Killed in Action--69.....Died of Wounds--44.....Died of Disease--150

Copyright © 1995, Don Harvey, Revised 12 June 1996