| If this website has been useful to you, please consider
making a Donation.
Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do
more research. Thank you for your support! |
9th Michigan Infantry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Ninth Michigan Infantry.— Cols., William W. Duffield,
John G. Parkhurst; Lieut. -Cols., John G. Parkhurst, William Wilkinson;
Majs., Dorus M. Fox, William Jenney, Jr. This regiment was organized at
Fort Wayne, Detroit, in Sept., 1861, and was mustered in Oct. 15. It
left the state Oct. 25, for Jeffersonville, Ind., moved to West Point,
Ky., in November and engaged in building field works, roads and bridges.
On Jan. 4, 1862, companies A, B, C, D, F and K were detailed to
Elizabethtown, E and G following on the 17th, leaving I at West Point.
Co. K was sent to Nolin. In the spring the regiment was attached to the
23d brigade, Army of the Cumberland, and moved to Nashville in March,
where it joined in the pursuit of Morgan's forces in May, overtaking
them at Lebanon and driving them from the town thoroughly demoralized.
The regiment engaged in the movement into Tennessee, making a
demonstration on Chattanooga, and was in the forced march over mountain
roads near Winchester, capturing the enemy's pickets at Sweeden's cove,
surprising and routing Adams' cavalry. It was in the engagement at
Chattanooga in June and in July six companies were attacked at
Murfreesboro by Forrest's cavalry. After a sharp struggle they were
compelled to surrender, with a loss of 13 killed and 78 wounded. The
wounded officers and men were at once paroled and were afterwards
exchanged. The 9th's share in this was most gallant, and it was only
when reduced to 137 men and officers, with no hope for reinforcements,
and annihilation as the only alternative, that the command surrendered.
The regiment was engaged at La Vergne in December and was detailed by
Gen. Thomas for headquarters guard and provost duty for the 14th corps.
At the battle of Stone's river it checked the rout of the right wing,
which was being driven back by overwhelming numbers, and at a time when
the panic was extending to the army. The flight of infantry, cavalry and
artillery was stopped with bayonet and saber. Col. Parkhurst forcing
2,000 cavalry, 3,000 infantry and 11 pieces of artillery from the
demoralized and fleeing troops and repulsing a charge by the enemy. The
regiment was engaged on provost duty during the battles of Chickamauga
and Missionary ridge, remaining on provost duty during November. In
December 306 reenlisted as veterans and were furloughed home in Jan.,
1864. They returned to Chattanooga in February with about 200 recruits
and participated in the Georgia campaign, being in action at Rocky Face
ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw mountain, the Chattahoochee river, the
siege of Atlanta and at Jonesboro. The regiment was on provost duty in
Atlanta during its occupation and returned to Chattanooga Nov. 1 via
Marietta. It remained on guard duty at the headquarters of the Army of
the Cumberland and on picket duty until March 27, 1865, when
headquarters were moved to Nashville, the regiment following for the
same duty and for prison guard. It was mustered out at Nashville Sept.
15, 1865. Its original strength was 913: gain by recruits, 1,309; total,
2,222. Loss by death, 292. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
|
Whats New
Bibliography
About Us
Share this page with your friends!
|