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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

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