| If this website has been useful to you, please consider
making a Donation.
Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do
more research. Thank you for your support! |
15th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Fifteenth Michigan Infantry. — Cols., John M. Oliver,
Frederick S. Hutchinson; Lieut. -Cols., John McDermott, Austin E.
Jaquith, Moses A. La Point; Majs., Stephen Walsh, Thomas E. Morris, John
Bell. This regiment was organized at Monroe and was mustered in March
20, 1862. It left the state on the 27th and reached Pittsburg landing in
time to take part in the battle of Shiloh. Gen. McCook in his report
said Col. Oliver and his regiment "acted with conspicuous gallantry."
Its loss in this battle was 31 killed, 64 wounded and 7 missing. It was
engaged at Farmington, in the siege of Corinth, at Iuka, Chewalla, and
in the defense of Corinth in October, where it formed the Union army's
outposts, its skirmishers and pickets being the first engaged, and on
the 4th it supported 2 pieces of artillery under a hot fire. It joined
in the pursuit of the enemy, taking many prisoners, and lost 13 killed,
32 wounded and 5 missing. It moved to Wolf creek and Grand Junction in
November, being engaged in garrison and provost guard duty, and in
railroad guarding and scouting at Grand Junction and La Grange until
June, 1863. It then moved for Vicksburg, disembarked at Haynes' bluff,
and joined in the movement on Jackson, crossing the Big Black on rafts
and by swimming. It was then engaged in numerous skirmishes until the
enemy was driven across the Pearl river. The regiment moved to the Big
Black on July 23, when it was attached to the 2nd brigade, 4th division,
15th army corps, and ordered to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland.
Moving via Memphis, Tenn., Corinth, and Iuka, Miss., Florence, and
Bridgeport, Ala., it reached Scottsboro, where it encamped during the
winter. Here 186 men reenlisted as veterans and were furloughed home in
March, 1864. They reported at Chattanooga May 4, in time to enter on the
campaign through Georgia. The regiment was engaged at Resaca, Kennesaw
mountain, and Nickajack creek and at Decatur captured 2 flags and 176
prisoners. It was in almost daily skirmishes in the trenches before
Atlanta ; repulsed an assault at Jonesboro; captured several prisoners
the following day; fought at Lovejoy's Station ; and participated in the
pursuit of Hood's army and in the engagements incident thereto during
October. As part of the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 15th corps, it then
moved to Atlanta, and joined the Savannah campaign. It was engaged at
Clinton and Fort McAllister, and from Savannah embarked for Beaufort
Jan. 14, 1865, arriving there the next day. On the campaign through the
Carolinas it was engaged at Orangeburg, Congaree creek, Saluda creek,
Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and Bentonville. It reached Richmond on
May 6, Washington on the 21st, participated in the grand review, moved
to Louisville June 1, and was mustered out at Little Rock on Aug. 13.
Its original strength was 869 : gain by recruits, 1,502 ; total, 2,371.
Loss by death, 337. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
|
Whats New
Bibliography
About Us
Share this page with your friends!
|