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3rd Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Third Michigan Infantry. — Cols., Daniel McConnell,
Stephen G. Champlin, Byron R. Pierce, Moses B. Houghton; Lieut. -Cols.,
Ambrose A. Stevens, Edwin S. Pierce, Moses B. Houghton, John Atkinson;
Majs., Stephen G. Champlin, Byron R. Pierce, John C. Hall. This regiment
was organized at Grand Rapids in April and May, 1861, and was mustered
in June 10. It left the state June 13 and was attached to Richardson's
brigade, Tyler's division, McDowell's corps. It was engaged at
Blackburn's ford and Bull Run, and a detachment was in the engagement at
the Occoquan river. The regiment encamped near Alexandria during the
winter under command of Col. Champlin, Col. McConnell having resigned,
and in the spring was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 3d
corps. It participated in the battle of Williamsburg and at Fair Oaks
lost 30 killed, 124 wounded and 15 missing. In the Seven Days' battles
it fought at Savage Station, Peach Orchard, Charles City cross-roads and
Malvern hill, July 1. Prince de Joinville, speaking of the brigade, said
of its work at Fair Oaks: "It advanced firm as a wall into the midst of
the disordered mass * * * and did more by its example than the most
powerful reinforcement." The regiment was engaged at Groveton,
sustaining heavy losses, and was at Chantilly on Sept. 1. It then was on
the march and in camp at various points in Maryland and Virginia,
finally going into camp at Falmouth on Oct. 23. It was under fire three
days at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and then encamped near
Falmouth until May 1, 1863. It fought at Chancellorsville, losing 63,
and at Gettysburg, losing 41. It then moved to Manassas gap and was
engaged at Wapping heights. It was ordered to New York during the draft
in August, but returned to Culpeper in September; was in a skirmish at
Auburn heights in October; and in the battle at Kelly's ford on the
Rappahannock the following month. It took part in the Mine Run campaign,
engaged the enemy at Locust Grove, and at Mine run charged the enemy's
works, driving him from three lines of rifle-pits. The regiment went in
camp at Brandy Station on Dec. 2, where 207 of the men reenlisted and
were furloughed home, rejoining the regiment in mid- winter. On May 4,
1864, the regiment encamped at Chancellorsville, being then in the 2nd
brigade, 3d division, 2nd corps, and in the battle of the Wilderness it
sustained heavy loss. It fought at Todd's tavern; participated in a
successful charge at Spottsylvania, capturing a number of prisoners and
2 flags; was engaged at the North Anna, its losses in the engagements of
May being 31 killed, 119 wounded and 29 missing. It fought at Cold
Harbor, and on June 9 the regiment, with the exception of the reenlisted
men and recruits, was ordered home for discharge. The remaining officers
and men were formed into a battalion of four companies and attached to
the 5th Mich. The regiment was mustered out at Detroit June 20, 1864.
Its total strength was 1,000; its loss by death, 224. As soon as it was
mustered out orders were issued to reorganize the regiment. This was
done during the summer and it was mustered in at Grand Rapids on Oct.
15. It left the state Oct. 20, reported at Nashville and was ordered to
Decatur, Ala., where it was stationed during November, being in a small
engagement on the 23d. It was then ordered to Fort Rosecrans,
Murfreesboro. The pickets being forced in and the town possessed by
Faulkner's brigade, four companies of the 3d joined other troops in a
spirited engagement, repulsing the enemy. The regiment was in numerous
small affairs and on Jan. 16, 1865, it moved to Huntsville, Ala., where
it was assigned to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 4th army corps. It moved
to Jonesboro, and was ordered to Nashville on April 20. On June 15 it
was sent to Texas, reaching Green Lake July 11, and on Sept. 12, it
started for San Antonio, reaching there two weeks later. It engaged in
provost guard duty and during the winter two companies were on duty at
Gonzales. The regiment was mustered out at Victoria May 26, 1866. Its
original strength was 879. Gain by recruits, 230; total, 1,109. Loss by
death, 158. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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