Michigan Units at Gettysburg

Every Michigan monument carries this bronze plaque with the text, "Erected by the State of Michigan, to her martyrs and heroes who fought in defense of Liberty and Union"

Compiled by Kraig W. McNutt

gettysburg.stonesentinels.com

April 2013

First Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Fifth Army Corps The monument to the First Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue in the Rose Woods. (39.79737 N, 77.24655 W; map) It was dedicated in 1888 by the State of Michigan. The First Michigan was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel Ira C. Abbott. He was wounded on July 2nd, and Lieutenant Colonel William A. Throop took command, despite also being wounded. Mustered in at Detroit Mich. May 1, 1861 for 3 months. Mustered in at Ann Arbor, Mich. Aug. 17, 1861 for 3 years. Re-enlisted as Veterans Feb. 23, 1864. Mustered out at Jeffersonville, Ind. July 9, 1865. Total enrollment 2144 officers and men. Killed in action Officers 12, men 135. Died of wounds officers 6, men 22. Died of disease Officers 1, men 95. Total 252. "From the first to the last." Entry into Virginia and capture of Alexandria May 24, 1861 to Appomattox April 8, 1865. Participated in 54 skirmishes and general engagements. ---This monument marks the position where the regiment fought, July 2, 1863. Present for duty 21 officers 240 men, total 261. Killed 1 officer 4 men. Wounded 6 officers 27 men. Missing 4 men. Total 42

Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps The monument to the Third Michigan Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg in the Peach Orchard. (39.80018 N, 77.24927 W; map) It was dedicated by the State of Michigan in 1889. The regiment was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel Byron Root Pierce. He was wounded on July 2nd and his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin S. Pierce, then took command. Mustered in at Grand Rapids Mich. June 10th 1861. July 2nd 1863. This regiment, deployed as skirmishers 150 yards in advance of this position, held the line extending from the Peach Orchard east to the woods, was the right of de Trobriand's Brigade, and connected with the left of Graham's. ---Went into action with 19 officers, 267 men. - Total 286 Casualties. 7 men killed, 3 officers and 28 men wounded, 7 men missing - Total 45.

4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Fifth Army Corps The monument to the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry is on De Trobriand Avenue near Sickles Avenue at the south end of the Wheatfield. (39.79619 N, 77.243905 W; map) About the monument to the 4th Michigan The granite monument is 13' tall. Sculpted by Laredo Taft, it shows a color bearer standing in front of a cannon. Dedicated by the State of Michigan on June 12, 1889, it is roughly at the site where Colonel Jeffords was mortally wounded. The 4th Michigan at Gettysburg The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Harrison H. Jeffords, a lawyer from Dexter. Jeffords was mortally wounded on July 2nd. Advanced into the Wheatfield, the 4th was attacked from both front and flank, and in its sudden retreat the colors were dropped. Seeing them on the ground about to be claimed by advancing Confederates, Col. Jeffords plunged into the melee with a handful of men. The conflicting accounts testify to the chaos of the desperate hand-to-hand fighting, and to this day it is not known whether the colors were captured, saved, or torn to shreds in the struggle. Colonel Jeffords was mortally wounded, one of the few men and the highest-ranking officer to die by the bayonet in the war. Lieutenant Colonel George W. Lumbard, a lawyer from Hillsdale, took over command of the regiment after Jeffords fell.

From the front of the monument: 4th Michigan Inftry. 2nd Brig. 1st Div. 5th Corps. Participated in 53 skirmishes and general engagements from Bull Run Va. July 21st 1861 to Appomattox Va. April 8th 1865 From the rear of the monument: Mustered in at Adrian Mich. June 20th 1861. Veterans consolidated with First Mich. Infantry June 30th 1864. Total enrollment 1325 officers and men . Killed in action - officers 8 - men 115. Died of wounds - officers 4 - men 50. Died of disease - officers 1 - men 95. Total 273. This monument marks the location held by the regiment July 2nd 1863. Present for duty - 27 officers - 376 men - total 403. Killed 1 officer 24 men. Wounded 9 officers 55 men. Missing 1 officer 75 men. Total 165. Colonel Harrison H. Jeffords fell mortally wounded at this point. Thrust through with a bayonet in recapturing the colors of his regiment. 'From his bosom that heaved, the last torrent that was streaming, and pale was his visage, deep marked with a scar. And dim was that eye, once expressively beaming, that melted in love, and that kindled in war.

The 4th Michigan at Monument dedication at the Wheatfield From the holdings of the Clement Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan

 On June 20, 1911, veterans of the Fourth Michigan Infantry posed for this photograph taken in Adrian, Michigan. They had gathered there for the 50th anniversary of their mustering into the Federal service.

5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps The monument to the Fifth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue. (39.79719 N, 77.244959 W; map) It was dedicated by the State of Michigan in 1888. The Fifth Michigan was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel John Pulford. He was wounded on July 2nd, the third of five times during the war. Just behind the monument is a bronze tablet indicating the area was a field hospital for the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the battle. From the front of the monument: 5th Mich. Inf. Third Brigade First Division Third Corps From the rear: Effective strength July 2nd 1863 present and detached service 21 officers and 262 men total 283. Casualties Killed 2 officers, 17 men; Wounded 8 officers 78 men Missing 4 men Total 109. The Regiment fought here about 4:00 o'clock p.m. July 2nd 1863 after it had been assembled from the skirmish - line far in advance of this position. It moved to the support of the 2nd Corps in resisting Pickett's charge July 3rd. Mustered in U.S. service at Detroit Mich, August 28, 1861. Mustered out at Jeffersonville Ind. July 5, 1865. Total enrollment 1850 officers and men. Killed in action Died of wounds Died of disease Total Officers Men Officers Men Officers Men 10 1 4 6 75 3 163 398 ---- Engaged in 47 battles and skirmishes from Pohick Church Va. Jan, 9, 1862 to Appomattox Va. Apr. 9, 1865.

7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Second Army Corps

The monument to the Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Hancock Avenue near the Copse of Trees.
(39.8118 N, 77.23619 W; map)

About the monument to the 7th Michigan

The monument is made of Westerly blue granite and stands just over eight feet tall. On the front is a carved relief of crossed rifles over the laurel leaves of victory with a forage cap, cartridge box and canteen, all supporting the trefoil symbol of the Second Corps. A bronze tabet with the Seal of the State of Michigan is just above the base. The monument was erected in 1888 and dedicated on June 12th,1889 by the State of Michigan.

The Seventh Michigan at Gettysburg

The Seventh Michigan was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Amos Steele, Jr., a farmer from Mason, while its Colonel, Norman J. Hall, was in command of the brigade. Steele was killed on July 3rd during Pickett's Charge, and Major Sylvanus W. Curtis of Monroe took command.

From the front of the monument: Seventh Mich. Inft'y 3rd Brig. 2nd Div., 2nd Corps From the rear: Mustered in at Monroe, Mich. 22, 1861. Mustered out at Jeffersonville, Ind. July 5, 1865. Total enrollment, 1393 officers and men. Killed in action 6 officers, 123 men. Died of wounds 5 officers, 47 men Died of disease 3

officers 154 men Total 338 ----- Participated in 37 skirmishes and general engagements from Ball's Bluff, Va. Oct. 21, 1861 to siege of Petersburg, Va. Apr. 3, 1865. ----- Regiment held this position during the engagement of July 2nd & 3rd. 1863. On the evening of the 2nd changed front to the left, meeting and aiding in driving back the enemy. On the 3rd assisted in repulsing Pickett's Charge, changing front to the right and assaulting the advancing force in flank. ----- Present for duty 14 officers 151 men Total 165. Casualties. 2 officers, 19 men killed; 3 officers, 41 men wounded. Total 65.

9th Michigan Battery (1st Michigan Light Artillery, Battery I)

The monument to the Ninth Michigan Battery is south of Gettysburg on Hancock Avenue across from the State of Pennsylvania Monument. (39.80785 N, 77.235985 W; map) It was dedicated in 1888 by the State of Michigan. The Battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain Jabez J. Daniels. It brought 119 men to the field serving 6 Ordnance Rifles. From the front of the monument (top right): Ninth Mich. Batt'y First Art'y 1st Brig. Horse Artil'y, Cavalry Corps From the back (bottom right): Mustered in at Detroit Mich Aug. 29 1862. Mustered out at Detroit Mich. July 4, 1865 ---- This monument marks the position held by the Ninth Michigan Battery from 12:30 p.m. July 3rd, until 7 a.m. the following morning. ---- 322 rounds of shot, shell and canister expended ---- Casualties One man killed and four wounded ---- Battery sustained the loss of 23 horses killed in the engagement ---- Army Potomac From Dec. 1862 to Oct. 1863. Army Cumberland From Nov. 1863 until close of service

16th Michigan Vounteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Fifth Army Corps

The monument to the 16th Michigan Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on the southwest slope of Little Round Top. (39.7910 N,
77.23745 W; map)

About the monument to the 16th Michigan

The four and a half foot tall monument is of Westerly granite and is perched on a tall boulder at the edge of a steep slope on the south side of Little Round Top. The monument has a design on its cap of a carved relief of a rifle below the Maltese Cross symbol of the Fifth Corps surrounded by laurel leaves. The Michigan State Seal is on a bronze tablet in the center of the front. The monument was dedicated by the State of Michigan on June 12th, 1889.

The 16th Michigan at the Battle of Gettysburg

The 16th Michigan was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Norval E. Welch, an attorney from Ann Arbor. From the front of the monument: Sixteenth Mich. Inf'ty 3rd Brig. 1st. Div. 5th Corps From the back: Mustered in at Detroit, Mich. Sept. 8, 1861. Mustered out at Jeffersonville, Ind. July 8, 1865. Total enrollment 2318 offices & men Killed in action 10 officers, 155 men Died of wounds 2 officers, 48 men. Died of disease 128 men. Total 348. Participated in 52 skirmishes and general engagements from Yorktown, Va. May 4, 1862 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 and was one of the regiments detailed to receive Lee's Army with its arms and flags on April 9, 1865. Regiment held this position during the afternoon and night of July 2, 1863,

and assisted in defeating the desperate attempts of the enemy to capture Little Round Top. Present for duty 17 officers, 339 men total 356. Casualties: 3 officers 20 men killed, 2 officers 32 men wounded, 3 men missing. Total 60.

24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division 1st Army Corps

The monument to the Twenty Fourth Michigan Infantry Regiment is west of Gettysburg on Meredith Avenue. (39.83491 N, 77.25441 W; map) A position marker is at the foot of Culp's Hill along Slocum Avenue showing the regiment's location on July 2 and 3. (39.83491 N, 77.25441 W; map)

About the Monument to the 24th Michigan

The monument is made of granite and stands just over 14' tall. On top of a pedestal a statue of a 24th Michigan enlisted man wearing the distinctive black hat of the Iron Brigade loads his rifle. Below his feet is the brass tablet placed on all State of Michigan monuments at Gettysburg. The full moon symbol of the First Corps is below the tablet between a relief of crossed flags. The five-sided symbol of the Iron Brigade is on both sides of the pedestal and the First Corps moon is repeated on the rear of the monument. It was dedicated on June 12, 1889 by the State of Michigan.

The 24th Michigan at Gettysburg

The 24th Michigan was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel Henry A. Morrow. He was wounded on July 1st, and Captain Albert M. Edwards took command. The 24th lost more killed and wounded than any Union regiment at Gettysburg. Seven color bearers were shot down, and twice Colonel Morrow himself took the colors before he, too was wounded.

From the front (west side) of the monument:

24th Mich. 1st (Iron) Brig. 1st Div. 1st Corps From the south side of the monument: July 1st 1863

Arriving upon the field to the south of these woods in the forenoon of July 1st, this regiment with others of the brigade (2nd and 7th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana) charged across the stream in front (Willoughby's Run) to the crest beyond. Assisting in the capture of a large portion of Archer's Tennessee Brigade, it was then withdrawn to this position where it fought until the time the line was outflanked and forced back. From the north side of the monument: Position July 2nd and 3rd on Culp's Hill. The Regiment was raised in Wayne Co., Michigan and mustered into the U. S. Service, August 15, 1862. Mustered out at Detroit, June 30, 1865. From the east side of the monument: Went into action with 496 officers and men Killed & mortally wounded 89 Otherwise wounded 218 Captured 56 Total casualties 363 Five Color Bearers were killed and all the Color Guard were killed or wounded

From the marker at the foot of Culp's Hill:

24th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry Iron Brigade. Of the 496 men who went into battle on July 1, 1863, 99 answered roll call here on the morning of July 2 - 3 1863.

Survivors of the 24th Michigan -- Michigan Day at Gettysburg, June 12, 1889

Michigan Sharpshooters (1st U. S. Sharpshooters, Companies C, I & K 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters, Company B)

The monument to the Michigan Sharpshooters is south of Gettysburg on the west slope of Little Round Top. (39.791181 N, 77.237672 W; map) It was erected in 1889 by the State of Michigan. From the front of the monument: Michigan Sharpshooters Company C, 1st Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. ---- Mustered into U.S. Service at Detroit, Mich. Aug. 26, 1861 Served until war ended ---- Fought upon this field July 2d near Sherfy House here July 3d. ---- Wounded 1 officer 5 men Missing 1 man. Total 7. 2d Brig. 1st Div. 3d Corps From the right (south) side: Company I 1st Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. ---- Mustered into U.S. Service at Detroit, Mich. Mar. 4, 1862. Served until war ended. ---- Fought upon this field July 2d near Pitzer's Run, here July 3d. ---- Killed 1 officer. Wounded 1 officer 3 men. Total 5. From the left (north) side: Company B, 2nd Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. ---- Mustered into U.S. Service at Detroit, Mich. Oct. 4, 1862. Served until war ended. ---- Fought upon this field July 2d near Slyder House on extreme left afterwards at this point. July 3d on Cemetery Ridge near centre of line. ---- 4 men wounded. From the rear (east side): Company K, 1st Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. Mustered into U.S. Service at Detroit, Mich. Mar. 20, 1862. Served until war ended. ---- Fought upon this field July 2d near Sherfy House, Here July 3d. ---- 4 men wounded. Col. Hiram Berdan's two regiments of sharpshooters were unique in the Union army, using different uniforms, weapons, equipment and tactics from the "line units". Although operating as United States Army units, each company within the regiments was formed of recruits from a single state. After the war the states (Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin) erected monuments to their respective companies. The 1st Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel Berdan until he took command of the brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Casper Trepp then took over. The regiment brought 371 men to the field and lost 6 killed, 37 wounded and 6

missing. The 2nd Regiment was commanded by Homer R. Stoughton. It brought 204 men to the field and lost 5 killed, 23 wounded and 15 missing.

Michigan Cavalry Brigade (Wolverine Brigade) 1st, 5th, 6th & 7th Michigan Cavalry
The monument to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade is east of Gettysburg on East Cavalry Battlefield. (39.82618 N, 77.16532 W; map) It was dedicated by the State of Michigan in 1889. From the monument: This monument marks the field where the Michigan Cavalry Brigade under its gallant leader General George A. Custer rendered signal and distinguished service in assisting to defeat the further advance of a numerically superior force under the Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart which in conjunction with Pickett's Charge upon the centre, attempted to turn the right flank of the Union Army at that critical hour of conflict upon the afternoon of July 3rd, 1863. Field held from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. 1st Mich.; killed 10 men, wounded 6 officers 37 men, missing 20 men. 5th Mich.; killed 1 officer 7 men, wounded 1 officer 29 men, missing 18 men. 6th Mich.; killed 1 man, wounded 2 officers 24 men, missing 1 man. 7th Mich.; killed 13 men, wounded 4 officers 44 men, missing 39 men. Total casualties 257. 1st Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Detroit, Mich. Sep 13, 1861. Mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, Mar. 10, 1866. Total enrollment 3244 officers and men. Killed 10 officers 92 men. Died of wounds 5 officers 46 men. Died of disease 5 officers 246 men. Total casualties 404. Participated in 67 skirmishes and general engagements from Winchester, Va., Mar. 23, 1862 to Appomattox Va. April 9, 1865. Fifth Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Detroit, Mich, August 30, 1862. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. June 2nd, 1865. Total enrollment 1198 officers and men. Killed, 4 officers 94 men. Died of Wounds 1 officer 23 men. Died of disease, 3 officers 233 men. Total casualties 358. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865. Sixth Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich. Oct. 13, 1862, Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. Nov. 24, 1865. Total enrollment 1624 Officers and men. Killed, 7 officers 35 men. Died of Wounds 18 men. Died of disease, 266 men. Total casualties 386. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865. "Seventh Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich. Jan. 16, 1863. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. Dec. 16, 1865. Total enrollment 1779 officers and men. Killed 2 officers 47 men. Died of wounds 2 officers 24 men.

Died of disease 1 officer 246 men. Total casualties 322. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865. Erected by the State of Michigan to honor her martyrs & heros who fought in defence of liberty and union. It was unusual in the Union army for all the regiments in a brigade to be from the same state, but the Wolverine Brigade was one of the exceptions. Three days before the fighting started at Gettysburg they were assigned a new commander, amazingly promoted from Captain to Brigadier General in one step, the youngest general in the army: George Armstrong Custer. His bas relief (right, second from bottom) fronts the monument. On July 3rd Custer and his Wolverines played a major role in defeating Confederate General Jeb Stuart's attempted cavalry thrust around the Union army's right flank. They would go on to be one of the elite units in the Union army. 1st Michigan Cavalry Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. Charles H. Town. It brought 502 men to the field. 5th Michigan Cavalry Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. Russel A. Alger. It brought 770 men to the field. 6th Michigan Cavalry Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. George Grey. It brought 611 men to the field. 7th Michigan Cavalry Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. William D'Anton Mann. It brought 461 men to the field.

Primary Resource used to compile this record: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/MI.php

Michigan provided over 86,000 men to the Union Army during the Civil War. Over 2,600 fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. They were organized into seven infantry and four cavalry regiments, an artillery battery and four companies of sharpshooters. Over 1,111 of these became casualties.