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19th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Nineteenth Michigan Infantry. — Col., Henry C. Gilbert;
Lieut. -Cols., David Bacon, William R. Shafter, John J. Baker; Majs.,
William R. Shafter, George C. Barnes. This regiment was organized at
Dowagiac in July and August, and was mustered in Sept. 5, 1862. It left
the state Sept. 14, reported at Cincinnati, and was stationed in
Kentucky until January, in Coburn's brigade, Baird's division, Army of
Kentucky. It moved to Nashville, thence to Franklin, and in March, while
on a reconnaissance, was in a skirmish with a small band, and met the
enemy in force at Thompson's station. After repelling several attacks it
was at last overwhelmed and compelled to surrender, but not until it had
captured the colors of the 4th Miss. and several prisoners. The fight
lasted 5 hours, when their ammunition was exhausted, the loss being 113
killed and wounded out of 512 engaged. Those of the regiment who escaped
and those who had been left in camp were sent to Brentwood, organized
with the fragments of a brigade, placed in command of an officer of
another regiment and surrendered to Forrest at Murfreesboro without
being given an opportunity to fire a gun — a shameful affair, which was
bitterly resented by the men. The enlisted men were soon paroled and
sent north, the commissioned officers were exchanged at Camp Chase,
Ohio, and reached Nashville June 11, 1863. The regiment was ordered to
Murfreesboro in July for garrison duty. Co. D, 50 men, stationed at
Stone's river, was attacked in October by a large force and after a
gallant fight surrendered, but after being plundered the men were
released. The regiment was then ordered to McMinnville and attached to
the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 20th corps. It built several forts, a
railroad bridge, put a saw-mill in operation and got out lumber for
blockhouses. It moved to Lookout valley in April, 1864 and then with the
army for Georgia. It was engaged in the battle of Resaca, participating
in a charge in which a battery was taken, and lost 14 killed and 66
wounded, Col. Gilbert being mortally wounded. In the charge at Cassville
and at New Hope Church the 19th lost 6 killed and 51 wounded. It was
engaged at Golgotha, Kolb's farm, aided in repelling an attack at
Peachtree creek, and was in the siege of Atlanta, most of the time under
fire. The greater part of the regiment advanced from Turner's ferry on
Sept. 2 in a reconnaissance toward Atlanta, and finding the city
evacuated took possession. The remainder entered the following day. On
Sept. 5 the regiment was detached for guard duty, and in November it
joined the advance on Savannah and took an active part in siege. It
moved into South Carolina in Jan., 1865, destroyed the arsenal and
public buildings at Fayetteville, and was in the engagement at
Averasboro, its brigade assaulting and carrying the enemy's works,
capturing his artillery and many prisoners. At Bentonville it was in
line of battle, but was not engaged. It then proceeded to Raleigh and
after Johnston's surrender marched to Alexandria, arriving there May 18.
It participated in the grand review and was mustered out June 10, 1865.
The original strength was 995: gain by recruits, 243; total, 1,238. Loss
by death, 237. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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