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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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