USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 70
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ville, Ala., and were employed during May in running trains over the Memphis & Charleston and Nashville & Decatur railroads. The other eight companies moved toward Corinth, building roads and placing siege guns, and in June proceeded toward Decatur, building bridges and trestles, and putting the railroad in running order. In July the entire regiment was at Huntsville, actively engaged in track replacing and bridge and trestle work. In August Company E was detached for fortification work at Huntsville. Companies A, B, D, G and H were sent to Nashville and were occupied until the middle of September in bridge building. C, F, K and I were sent to Stevenson and joined the regiment at Gallatin. The entire regiment took up the march for Bowling Green, thence for Louisville. The regiment moved to Nashville and went into camp at Mill Creek, where it built nine bridges. It was ordered to La Vergne, Jan. 1, 1863, and engaged in a skirmish. Its wagon train, in position of a half circle, with hastily constructed breastworks of logs and brush, was attacked by Wheeler's cavalry, numbering over 3,000, with a section of artillery, and 315 officers and men fought this force for five hours, repulsing seven assaults, the horsemen charging up to the very breastworks and the enemy's artillery being constantly employed. The enemy drew off at night with a loss of 50 killed and more wounded. By this repulse the rear of the army and most of its baggage train was saved. A correspondent said of it: "The scene was at times thrilling beyond description. The rebel horde dashed their horses against the circular brush fence with infuriated shouts and curses. * * They
were met with staggering volleys. Horses and riders recoiled again
and again until they despaired, and soon swept away through the dense forests. * * Truly, this was one of the most gallant affairs of the campaign." A standard of organization having been estab- lished, in 1862, the regiment was allowed twelve companies of 150 men each. From Jan. 1 to June 29, 1863, it was employed in general construction and repair work in the vicinity of La Vergne, Murfrees- boro, Smyrna and Nashville, and on Oct. 31 was stationed at Elk Creek. Its excellent work in putting into position greatly needed pontoon bridges at Chattanooga was specially noticed in orders. During the Winter, Spring and Summer, the regiment was constantly employed in building trestle work, bridges, storehouses, block houses and hospitals, in saw-mill work at Chattanooga and Bridgeport, and along the railway lines as far south as Decatur and Stevenson, Ala. It was ordered to Atlanta, Sept. 25, and in October 148 re-enlisted as veterans, which with the recruits enabled the regiment to maintain its full organization. It was constantly employed on the Atlanta campaign and on the march to Savannah, keeping up with the army, tearing up railroad track, destroying bridges and building roads. On Jan. 26, 1865, it took transports for Beaufort, S. C., and joined the march to Goldsboro, N. C., during which it destroyed thirty miles of track, built eight or ten bridges and made miles of corduroy road. The regiment moved from Goldsboro to Raleigh and from there to Washington. It participated in the Grand Review and was then ordered to Nashville. It was mustered out, Sept. 22, 1865.
The Second Michigan cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids and was mustered in, Oct. 2, 1861. It left the State on Nov. 14, was
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stationed at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, was engaged in skirmishes at Point Pleasant, Tipton and New Madrid, participated in the siege of Island No. 10, and then moved with Pope's army to Mississippi. It was in the engagements at Pine Hill, Monterey, and Farmington, and the siege of Corinth. Col. Gordon Granger, who first commanded it, was made brigadier-general and was succeeded by Philip H. Sheri- dan as colonel, but the latter was not mustered in as such. The regi- ment was in the engagements at Booneville, Blackland, and Baldwin, in June, 1862, and was in a spirited fight at Booneville, July 1, where 7,000 of Chalmer's cavalry were repulsed by six companies, number- ing less than 500 men. This was one of the greatest minor victories of the war. The Second Michigan and Second Iowa cavalry followed the enemy for twenty miles, captured a large amount of arms and clothing. The regiment was engaged at Rienzi, in August, when a largely superior force was defeated and dispersed and many prisoners were captured. Colonel Sheridan was made a brigadier-general and Lieut .- Col. Archibald P. Campbell was appointed colonel. The regi- ment was engaged at the battle of Perryville, Ky., then at Harrods- burg, Lancaster, and the Rockcastle River. In December, 1862, and January, 1863, it was in a raid in Eastern Tennessee, being engaged at Blountville, Zollicoffer, Wartrace, Jonesville, Bacon Creek and Glasgow. In March it was engaged at Milton, Gainsville, Spring Hill, Columbia, Hillsboro and Brentwood. The engagement at Co- lumbia was against a much larger force, but two battalions of the Second Michigan cavalry by tremendous efforts saved the wagon trains, which were in charge of the Eighteenth Ohio cavalry. The regiment fought at McGarvick's Ford, in April, and in the Summer was engaged at Triune, Rover, Middletown, Shelbyville, Elk River Ford, and Decherd. It participated at Chickamauga, holding an im- portant point against the enemy, and in October was engaged in the pursuit of Wheeler's cavalry, being in action at Anderson's Cross- roads. It fought at Sparta, Dandridge and Mossy Creek, in Decem- ber, and at Dandridge and Pigeon River, in January, 1864. While at Cleveland, Tenn., 326 re-enlisted as veterans and took a furlough, re- joining the regiment in July. On the Atlanta campaign the regiment fought at Dug Gap, Red Clay, the Etowah River, and Acworth, and joined General Thomas' army in Tennessee. It met and defeated the enemy at Campbellville and Franklin, in September; was engaged at Cypress River in October, when a force four times that of the Union army was defeated; participated at Raccoon Ford, and in No- vember was engaged at Shoal Creek, Lawrenceburg, Campbellville, Columbia, Spring Hill, and the battle of Franklin. In December it was engaged at Nashville, Richland Creek, Pulaski and Sugar Creek, and in 1865 fought at Corinth, Tuscaloosa, Trion, Bridgeville, and Talladega. It was in camp at Macon from May 1 until July 17, de- tachments being sent to garrison Perry, Thomaston, Barnesville, For- syth, and Milledgeville. The regiment was mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.
The Third Michigan cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids and was mustered in Nov. 1, 1861. It left the state Nov. 28, was stationed at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, during the Winter, and then joined Pope's movement against New Madrid and Island No. 10. Capt.
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John K. Mizner took command as colonel on March 31. The regiment was engaged at Farmington, Miss., and in the siege of Corinth, then joined Grant's forces in the campaign of Mississippi, and fought at Spangler's Mills, Bay Spring, and Iuka, where it performed efficient work. Five privates captured two officers and a stand of colors. In October it was engaged in the battles of Corinth and the Hatchie Riv- er. The remainder of the year it was in actions at Hudsonville, Hol- ly Springs, Lumpkin's Mill, Oxford and Coffeeville. The regiment was engaged at Brownsville in January and Clifton in February. It was in engagements at Jackson and Panola in July, and at Grenada in August, was in the advance, destroying over sixty locomotives and more than 400 cars. In October it participated at Byhalia and Wy- att's Ford on the Tallahatchie River. It was engaged in scouting and numerous expeditions in November and December, meeting the ene- my at Ripley, Orizaba, Ellistown, Purdy, and Jack's Creek, and on Jan. 1, 1864, went into Winter quarters at LaGrange, Tenn., where 592 re-enlisted as veterans, received a furlough, and reached home Feb. 7. The regiment was ordered to St. Louis, where it was on prov- ost duty for about two months. It reported at Little Rock, May 24, and was engaged in scouting. It assisted in driving Shelby beyond the river and in dispersing guerrillas. In November, 1864, and Feb- ruary, 1865, it garrisoned Brownsville, and in its scouting expedi- tions collected large droves of cattle, supplying nearly all the beef required for the Department of Arkansas. It was assigned to the First brigade, First division, Seventh army corps, which on March 14 was transferred to the military division of West Mississippi and or- dered to Mobile, where it engaged in the siege. After the fall of that point the regiment was employed on outpost duty. On the surrender of the enemy's forces east of the Mississippi, the regiment was se- lected as escort of Major-General Canby, and received the formal surrender of General Taylor's army. In May the regiment moved to Baton Rouge, La., where it joined the Texas expedition and reached San Antonio on Aug. 2. It was engaged in garrison and escort duty and along the Mexican frontier until mustered out at San Antonio, Feb. 15, 1866.
The Fourth Michigan cavalry was organized at Detroit and was mustered in Aug. 29, 1862. It left the state Sept. 20, for Louisville, thence to Tennessee, and was engaged at Stanford, Gallatin, Lebanon, Rural Hill, Baird's Mill, Hollow Tree Gap, Wilson's Creek Road, Franklin, Laurel Hill, Wilson's Creek, La Vergne, Jefferson Pike Bridge, Nashville Pike, Dec. 30, and Stone's River, before the close of the year. The regiment was in successful charges at Stone's River against superior forces. In January and February, 1863, it fought at La Vergne, Manchester Pike, Harpeth River, Cumberland Shoals, Bradyville, Woodbury, Rover, Charlotte, and Auburn, and at Liberty drove Morgan's cavalry for six miles. The regiment was next en- gaged at Unionville, Thompson's Station, Rutherford Creek, Duck River, Prosperity Church, Liberty, Snow Hill, McMinnville, States- ville, Alexandria, Wartrace, and Middletown. At the last named place it charged and drove the enemy, capturing and destroying a large quantity of ordnance stores and camp equipage, and the stand- ard of the First Alabama cavalry. At Shelbyville it assisted in a
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charge when 599 prisoners and three pieces of artillery were taken, and the enemy was driven out in confusion, the Union forces being 1,500 and the enemy's over 4,000. A large body was driven into the river, from which over 200 bodies were taken. In the Summer of 1863 the regiment was engaged at Hickory Creek, Tullahoma, Rock Island, Sparta, Sperry's Mill, Smith's Cross-roads, Reed's Bridge, the battle of Chickamauga, Rossville, and Cotton Port. At Chickamauga its brigade, with less than 1,000 men in line, fought 7,000 from 7 o'clock in the morning until 5 o'clock in the evening, falling back in order for five miles. The regiment was in action at Smith's Cross- roads, Hill Creek, and McMinnville, in October, and was in camp at Maysville from the latter part of October until Nov. 17. It fought at Chattanooga and at Missionary Ridge, and at Cleveland captured 90 wagons, 260 prisoners, 480 mules, and 275 hogs. It burned the rail- road bridge at the Etowah River and the depot, iron works and the rolling mill at Cleveland. From January to March, 1864, it took part in the operations about Tunnel Hill and on the Dalton Road, and remained in camp at the Etowah until March 29, when it was ordered to Nashville and attached to the Second cavalry division. In May it defeated a brigade at Farmer's Bridge, fought at Arundel Creek, and was surrounded at Kingston, but cut its way out. On the Atlanta campaign it fought at Dallas, Villa Rica, Lost Mountain, Big Shanty, McAfee's Cross-roads, Noonday Creek, and Kennesaw Mountain. At Latimar's Mill on Noonday Creek a force less than 1,000 received the attack of 4,500 of Wheeler's cavalry and fell back, but being re- inforced by three regiments the enemy was in turn repulsed. The Fourth Michigan repulsed three charges by two regiments and gained new laurels. It was engaged at Roswell, Lebanon Mills, Stone Mountain, Covington, Flat Rock, in siege of Atlanta, Fair Oaks, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station and McDonough. At Jonesboro the entire division was surrounded and Minty's brigade, to which the Fourth was attached, made one of the greatest charges of the war, broke the enclosing lines in superb manner, thus opening a way for Kilpatrick's forces to break from the cordon, and captured three stands of colors. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment was engaged at Roswell, Sweetwater, Nose's Creek, Lost Mountain, New Hope Church, Stilesboro, Rome and Blue Pond. In the latter part of October the regiment was ordered to Nashville, thence to Louisville, where it was newly mounted and equipped. It marched to Gravelly Springs, arriving Jan. 25, 1865, and remained there until early March. Moving south from Eastport, it became engaged at Selma, Ala., where it joined in the assault and captured the works under terrific fire, Col. Minty being the first to enter alive. The result of this daring affair was the capture of a strongly fortified city, nearly 100 pieces of artil- lery, 2,700 prisoners and a large amount of ammunition and stores. On May 7 Lieutenant-Colonel Pritchard was ordered to proceed with the regiment and picket the Ocmulgee river for the purpose of pre- venting the escape of Jefferson Davis, who was supposed to be in that section. With 135 men he proceeded to Irwinsville, reaching there about 3 a. m. on the 10th, almost simultaneously with another party under Lieutenant-Colonel Harnden of the First Wisconsin cavalry, and the two exchanged shots in the darkness, each thinking the other
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party to be some of the enemy. In the encounter some of Pritchard's men surrounded the enemy's camp and captured Mr. and Mrs. Davis and four children; John H. Reagan, the Confederate postmaster- general; Colonels Johnson and Lubbock, his aides-de-camp; Burton N. Harrison, his private sercetary ; Major Maurand, Captain Moody and Lieutenant Hathaway ; Jeff D. Howell, a midshipman in the Con- federate navy; 13 private soldiers; Miss Maggie Howell (sister of Mrs. Davis), two waiting maids and several servants. The party pro- ceeded to Macon, from which point Pritchard with escort and train guard conveyed his prisoners to Fortress Monroe. On the 21st the regiment was ordered to Nashville and was mustered out, July 1, 1865.
The Fifth Michigan cavalry was organized at Detroit and was mustered into the United States service, Aug. 30, 1862. It left Detroit, Dec. 4, 1862, for Washington, D. C., with an enrollment of 1,144 officers and men. Soon after the arrival of the regiment at Washing- ton it was assigned to the Michigan cavalry brigade, composed of the First, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Michigan cavalry, and these regiments served together during the war. In June, 1863, the brigade met the Confederate Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry near Hanover, Pa., and drove it back in a spirited charge, afterward dismounting and fighting on foot. In this engagement the Fifth lost severely. On July 3 the regiment, with the brigade, had one of the severest cavalry engage- ments of the war with Stuart's forces, and won a decisive victory in repelling the enemy's attack, driving him back so he could no longer threaten the rear of the Union lines. The next day the regiment started to intercept General Lee's army that was in full retreat upon Williamsport. It charged across a bridge on the side of the mountain leading to Williamsport, where the enemy's wagon train was passing, and with the brigade captured 1,500 prisoners and destroyed a large wagon train. A few days later it met the enemy near Boonsboro, where it was dismounted and charged the Confederates, who were behind stone walls, but the charge of the regiment was so impetuous that the enemy was driven in confusion. It took an active part in the engagement at Falling Waters, Md., where the Confederates were put to flight by the gallant charges of the Michigan men. The regi- ment returned to Virginia after General Lee had crossed the Potomac and in September fought at Culpepper Court House, Raccoon Ford, White's Ford, and Jack's Shop. The regiment was in the fight at James City, and had a severe engagement with the enemy at Buckland Mills, where it first fought on foot and then in a mounted charge drove the enemy pell mell for two miles. It was in the terrible battle of the Wilderness, on the Brock Road, and also at Haw's Shop, where the
regiment was dismounted, as the country was too wooded to success- fully maneuver cavalry, and, with the other regiments of the brigade, charged the enemy and a desperate hand-to-hand encounter took place. Two battle flags were captured by the regiment at the Opequan and it did gallant service at Winchester, Luray, Port Republic, Mt. Craw- ford, Woodstock, Cedar Creek, Newton, and Madison Court House. It was with General Sheridan when the Union forces moved in the direction of Gordonsville and Richmond and drove General Rosser from Louisa Court House, where a large amount of property was
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destroyed, together with the depot and railroad and acqueducts on the line of the James river canal, seriously interfering with General Lee's sources of supplies. After the surrender of General Lee the regiment marched to Washington, where it took part in the Grand Review ; was then sent to the Far West, and was finally mustered out in Utah.
The Sixth Michigan cavalry was organized in the summer of 1862, under authority of the Secretary of War granted directly to Hon. Francis W. Kellogg, member of Congress from the Congressional district which included Kent county. It comprised twelve troops of a maximum strength of 100 men each, including the proper complement of non-commissioned officers. The rendezvous was Grand Rapids and the regiment was mustered into the United States service, Oct. 11, 1862, with 1,229 officers and men. On Dec. 10 it proceeded to Wash- ington, D. C., and went into camp on Meridian hill, where it was brigaded with the Fifth and Seventh and attached to Casey's division of Heintzelman's corps, Department of Washington. The regiment was first under fire at the battle of Hanover, Pa., and to quote General Kilpatrick's report, it "particularly distinguished" itself at Hunters- town after dark on July 2, where it encountered Wade Hampton's cavalry. On July 3 it was in the famous cavalry fight on the right at Gettysburg, where it supported Pennington's battery. It marched all day, July 4, in a pouring rain and was in the engagement in the mountain pass at Monterey, at midnight. It then fought at Smithfield, Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Williamsport, and Falling Waters, where it attacked the rear-guard of Lee's army, making a charge which Kil- patrick in his official report referred to as "the most gallant ever made," and which a Confederate writer in a Southern paper after- ward described as "a charge of dare-devils." The regiment was with Custer in all the cavalry engagements which followed in Virginia ; performed conspicuous service at Brandy Station and Buckland Mills ; was at Mine Run, Morton's, Raccoon, and Summerville fords, and other minor engagements, after which it went into winter quarters at Stevensburg. On May 6, 1864, the regiment was hotly engaged on the first day of Sheridan's great raid, when 10,000 cavalrymen marched by fours, in a single column ; was at Beaver Dam Station, Yellow Tavern, Hanovertown, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, Meadow Bridge, and many other engagements in the months of May and June. It accompanied Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley and was in the battles of Winchester, Tom's Brook, Luray, Shepherds- town and Cedar Creek. In the Spring of 1865 it left Winchester with Sheridan and did excellent service in the closing campaign of the war, from Winchester to Appomattox. It marched to Washington, par- ticipated in the Grand Review, and was then ordered to Leavenworth, Kan., where it marched 1,100 miles via Fort Kearny, Julesburg, and Fort Laramie, to Powder River, Wyoming Territory. The men who had less than two years to serve were ordered back to the State and were mustered out at Jackson, Mich., in November, 1865. The others were consolidated into a new regiment and sent to Utah, where they were afterward mustered out.
The Seventh Michigan cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids in the Summer and Fall of 1862, being one of the cavalry regiments
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which the secretary of war authorized the Hon. F. W. Kellogg to recruit at that time. On Jan. 27, 1863, the last contingent of the ten companies was mustered in and on Feb. 20 the horses of the first five companies, with a detail of twenty men, proceeded to Washington, followed on the 21st by the horses of the other five companies, and on the 22nd by the main body of the regiment. It reached Washing- ton, Feb. 27, encamped on what was known as Meridian Hill and remained there for about a month. On March 26 it proceeded across the river over Long Bridge and marched to Fairfax Court House, where it was united with the Fifth and Sixth Michigan cavalry into a brigade which was assigned to General Stahel's cavalry division, Department of Washington. From May 3 until June 24, 1863, the regiment was engaged in scout duty and in guarding the Orange & Alexandria railroad, which was the line of supplies for the Army of the Potomac, and while thus engaged it had several skirmishes with Mosby's men. In one of these actions near Catlett's Station, where Mosby had destroyed a train of cars, two small brass pieces were cap- tured by the commands engaged, several men of the Seventh were injured, and quite a number of prisoners were taken from the enemy. On June 30 it participated in an engagement at Hanover, Pa., where the brigade was united in order to oppose the attempt of General Stuart to effect a junction with General Lee's army. The first battle- flag of the enemy captured by the regiment was taken in this action. On the night of July 2 the regiment was engaged until midnight at Hunterstown, Pa., and on July 3, with others of the brigade, it was at Gettysburg, on the extreme right of the Union army, where it was engaged the entire day. In this engagement, out of the 401 officers and men who went into the fight, the regiment lost 13 killed, 4 officers and 48 men wounded, and 39 missing. On the morning of July 4 it proceeded with the command to follow up Lee's retreating army and on that night, while marching through Monterey Pass, it was met by a volley of canister shot from two pieces of artillery in the road. These guns were promptly charged and taken by the Seventh, and the brigade captured many prisoners and some 400 wagons. The regiment was subsequently engaged at Smithburg, Hagerstown, and Williamsport, and at Falling Waters it captured a 10-pounder Parrott gun from the enemy. After a few days of much needed rest it again crossed the Potomac into Virginia and participated in engagements at Snicker's Gap, Kelley's Ford, Culpeper Court House, Raccoon Ford, White's Ford, and Jack's Shop. When the Army of the Potomac fell back from the Rapidan the enemy was met by the regiment near James City and on Oct. 10 it participated in a severe engagement at Buckland Mills. After that the enemy fell back toward the Rapidan and was not again encountered by the regiment until in November, at Stevensburg, and Morton's Ford. About daylight on the morning of May 6, 1864, it participated in a lively engagement in the Wilder- ness, near the intersection of the Furnace and Brock roads, where it was engaged all day. At daylight on the following morning it was again on the same ground, contending with the enemy until the middle of the afternoon, when he was driven from the field. On May 10 the regiment was engaged all day in destroying railroads, and at dawn of the 11th began skirmishing with the enemy. On that day an en-
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gagement, at the intersection of the Telegraph and Brock roads, was opened by Stuart and continued all day, the regiment participating in several charges. It had several engagements at Meadow Bridge on the Chickahominy, where it forced a crossing and routed the enemy with a heavy loss. It was again engaged at Darney's Ferry, and on the same day the regiment made a saber charge at Crump's Creek, driving the enemy for three miles. On the 28th it was engaged at Haw's Shop, the regiment being exposed to a severe fire. On May 30 the Seventh and First Michigan were engaged in a hard fight with the enemy at Old Church, completely routing the Confederates. On May 31 the regiment participated in an engagement at Cold Harbor, and on the morning of June 1 it was attacked by superior forces of the enemy's infantry, but repulsed them with great slaughter. A few days later the regiment was attacked at Louisa Court House by Wick- ham's brigade of cavalry, but being supported by the First Michigan cavalry it maintained its ground. Thence it marched to Trevilian Station, and there for the greater part of two days it and the other cavalry regiments of Custer's, Merritt's, and Devin's brigades were engaged in one of the most desperate cavalry combats of the war, against Hampton's and Fitzhugh Lee's commands. In July the regi- ment engaged the enemy on the New Market road, on the north bank of the James river, where with other cavalry it repulsed a large infantry force of the enemy, and then by a charge captured 250 prisoners and two battle-flags. From Aug. 10 to 16 the regiment was moving about the country in the vicinity of Winchester, several times coming into collision with the enemy. It was in action at Front Royal, charging a whole brigade of Confederate cavalry, completely routing it and capturing 100 prisoners with a large number of horses and arms. At Berryville, it repulsed a determined attack of the enemy and from that time to the 25th it was engaged in scouting, picketing and light skirmishing. At the Opequan in September the regiment led the advance of the army from about 2 a. m., and after an attempt of the Twenty-fifth New York cavalry had been repulsed, it charged across the river and captured the rifle-pits upon the hills on the oppo- site bank. In the afternoon the enemy fled precipitately, the regi- ment being engaged until after dark, making many mounted charges during the day and capturing large numbers of prisoners, cannon and small arms. In September it was engaged at Port Republic and re- mained in that vicinity until Oct. 2, when it had a brush with the enemy at Mt. Crawford. At Tom's Brook the enemy was completely routed in an engagement participated in by the regiment, and was pursued for 26 miles. At the battle of Cedar Creek the regiment cap- tured more prisoners than it had troopers in its ranks, and later it was again engaged with Early's army at the same place. On Dec. 19 the regiment participated in an expedition to Charlottesville and Gor- donsville to wreck the railroads, and from day to day there was more or less skirmishing and a lively engagement at Liberty Mills on the Rapidan. On March 30, 1865, the regiment found the enemy in force on the White Oak road near Five Forks, and, in column of squadrons with sabers drawn, moved forward in a countercharge, and soon routed him. On March 31 it had a sharp engagement at the inter- section of the Dinwiddie and Five Forks roads, and on April 1 it was
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