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11th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Eleventh Michigan Infantry. — Cols., William J. May,
William L. Stoughton, Patrick H. Keegan; Lieut. -Cols., William L.
Stoughton, Melvin Mudge, John M. Farland; Majs., Benjamin F. Dougherty,
Benjamin G. Bennett, Patrick J. McDermott. This regiment was organized
at White Pigeon, and was mustered in Sept. 24, 1861. It left the state
Dec. 9 and was stationed at Bardstown, Ky., during the winter. In the
spring of 1862 it was engaged in railroad guard duty, and in July
pursued Morgan's cavalry through Kentucky. On Aug. 13 it joined in
repelling an attack made by a considerable force under Morgan. It was
then stationed at Nashville and assigned to Negley's division. It joined
a foraging expedition and reconnaissance, having three engagements with
guerillas, and assisted in building forts and general fortifications. It
was engaged at Stone's river, where it joined the 19th Ill. in charging
a fierce assault and driving back the enemy after he had broken the
right wing. Its losses were 32 killed, 79 wounded and 29 missing. It was
then detached for provost duty at Murfreesboro and while there Co. E was
detailed as guard for Vallandigham, whom the government had ordered sent
within the Confederate lines. The regiment participated in a sharp
skirmish at Elk river in July and then remained in camp at Decherd until
September, when it joined the advance into Georgia with the 2nd brigade,
2nd division, 14th corps. It was engaged at Davis' cross-roads, and
covered the retreat of Negley's and Baird's divisions from Dug gap. It
was in the hottest of the fight at Chickamauga, its brigade holding one
of the most important positions against largely superior forces until
night and being the last to leave the field. The regiment's loss was 85.
Where "Thomas stood like a rock," it did its full share and received his
compliments. The regiment was in the siege at Chattanooga, in the main
and successful charge of Missionary ridge under heavy fire and always
claiming to have been the first to reach the works. It was then in the
pursuit of the enemy charging their rear-guard and assisting in
capturing "Ferguson's Battery" with caissons and horses. It was on
outpost duty at Rossville from Dec. 2, 1863, to March 15, 1864, and then
rejoined its old brigade at Graysville. It entered on the Atlanta
campaign under Gen. Sherman; fought at Buzzard Roost, Resaca and New
Hope Church, where for eight days it was under almost continual fire,
but when the enemy evacuated his works the regiment joined in the
pursuit. It fought at Kennesaw mountain, Ruff's station, and Peachtree
creek, then moved towards Atlanta and in the battle of Utoy creek
participated in a charge and took one line of defense, with a loss of
30. It was ordered to Chattanooga on Aug. 27 for muster out, but joined
in pursuit of Wheeler's forces, marching to Murfreesboro and Huntsville,
Ala. On Sept. 18 it started for home, 150 veterans and recruits being
left at Chattanooga, and it was mustered out Sept. 30, 1864. Its
original strength was 1,004: gain by recruits, 325; total, 1,329. Loss
by death, 286.
The 11th was reorganized at Jackson in the winter of 1864. Four
companies left for Nashville March 4, 1865, and the other six on the
18th under command of Col. Patrick H. Keegan. On April 1 it was ordered
to Chattanooga and assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd separate division,
Army of the Cumberland. Three weeks later it was sent to East Tennessee,
four companies being placed on duty guarding the Chattanooga & Knoxville
railroad at intervals of 15 to 20 miles apart, and the other six
companies were stationed at Cleveland. In June the regiment was ordered
to Knoxville for guard duty and on Aug. 3 to Nashville, where it was
mustered out Sept. 16. The total enrollment was 1,140. Loss by death,
81. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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