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7th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Seventh Michigan Infantry. — Cols., Ira R. Grosvenor,
Norman J. Hall; Lieut. - Cols., Frazy M. Winans, Henry Baxter, S. Newell
Smith, Amos E. Steele, Jr., George W. La Point; Majs., Nathaniel B.
Eldridge, Sylvanus W. Curtis, Moracio Van Sickle. This regiment was
organized at Monroe, and was mustered in Aug. 22, 1861. It left the
state Sept. 5 and encamped in the vicinity of Washington during the fall
and winter. It was engaged at Ball's bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair
Oaks, where it participated in the bayonet charge that broke the enemy's
line, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak swamp, Charles City
cross-roads and Malvern hill. It fought at the second Bull Run, was with
Gen. McClellan at South mountain and Antietam, and with Burnside's army
at Fredericksburg, where it crossed the Rappahannock in small boats (the
first Union troops to land on the opposite side) and with the assistance
of the 19th Mass. dislodged the sharpshooters and captured almost as
many prisoners as its own numbers. This was one of the most gallant acts
of the war. The regiment was on provost guard at Falmouth until May 3,
1863; was then engaged at Chancellorsville and Haymarket, and at
Gettysburg lost 21 killed and 44 wounded, being under a heavy fire and
responding spiritedly. It was next engaged at Falling Waters, was then
ordered to New York during the draft riots, after which it was on picket
duty at Summerville ford until Oct. 6. It was then in action at Bristoe
Station, Robertson's tavern and Mine run, and went into winter quarters
at Barry's Hill on Dec. 7. Here 162 reenlisted as veterans and were sent
home on furlough. They returned on Feb. 16, 1864, remained in quarters
until May 3, when the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd
division, and corps. It participated at the battles of the Wilderness,
Po river, Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Ny river, Totopotomy, and Cold
Harbor, and went into the trenches at Petersburg on June 15. It was in
the engagements at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station, the
Boydton road, Hatcher's run and Burgess' tavern, where the regiment
captured 480 men, 20 officers and a stand of colors. Being left
unsupported through some misunderstanding, it was obliged to fight its
way back to the army after it was nearly surrounded. It was on garrison
duty at Fort Stedman during November, and then on fatigue, picket and
skirmish duty until Feb. 10, when it went into winter quarters near Fort
Siebert, remaining there until March 29. It was in the engagement at
Hatcher's run and was part of the force to charge the enemy's works at
Cat Tail creek in April, capturing 2 forts and 3 guns; then following
down the line carried 5 more forts (well defended) and 500 prisoners. It
was engaged at Farmville, capturing many prisoners. It was cut off from
the brigade by the enemy, but faced about, and made a charge which was
repulsed, though the regiment held its ground until relieved by
reinforcements. It lost 3 officers and 34 men captured. It started for
Appomattox on the 8th and after Lee's surrender was sent to Burkeville.
On May 2 it was ordered to Richmond and on the 6th to Washington, where
it participated in the grand review. It left for Louisville June 16,
reaching there the 22nd. It was sent to Jeffersonville, Ind., on provost
duty and was mustered out July 5, 1865. Its original strength was 884:
gain by recruits, 509; total 1,393. Loss by death, 338. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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