1st Regiment Michigan Volunteer Sharpshooters
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The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army's Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War.


Service

The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters was organized at Kalamazoo and
Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 109,976. Dearborn is the seventh most-populated city in Michigan and is home to the largest Muslim population in the United States pe ...
, between April 14 and October 7, 1863, and six companies were mustered into Federal service on July 7, 1863, to serve three years.


Officers

Charles Victor DeLand, a Jackson, Michigan, journalist and politician on 10/15/1861 was commissioned as a captain into "C" Co. MI 9th Infantry. He Resigned on 11/15/1862. On 7/7/1863 he was commissioned into Field & Staff MI 1st SharpShooters as Colonel and charged with mustering the First Michigan Sharpshooters. He fought in many of the great battles in the Western Campaigns, wounded in action three times and taken prisoner twice! A monument erected at the Michigan State Capital in Lansing, MI honoring the First Michigan Sharpshooters bears his name with other faithful soldiers under his command. He was discharged for wounds on 2/4/1865 He was listed as: * POW 7/13/1862 Murfreesboro, TN * Paroled 11/15/1862 (place not stated) * Wounded 5/12/1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA * Joined Regiment 7/15/1864 (place not stated) * Wounded 7/30/1864 Petersburg, VA * POW 9/30/1864 Poplar Springs Church, VA (Paroled) * Wounded 9/30/1864 Poplar Springs Church, VA Promotions: * Colonel 1/1/1863 (As of 1st MI SS) * Brig-General 3/14/1865 by Brevet Other Information: born 7/25/1828 in North Brookfield, MA died 9/21/1903 in Jackson, MI Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.: - Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65 - Dyer: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion - Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue - Heitman: Register of United States Army 1789-1903 Major John Piper, of Battle Creek, originally served as Captain of the famed Company D (The "Michigan Boys") of the Western Sharpshooters (W.S.S.) Regiment. Captain Piper resigned from the W.S.S. to take up the position of Major of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. He was killed in action at the Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, May 13, 1864. The initial six companies were sent to Seymour, IN to repel the
Morgan Morgan may refer to: People and fictional characters * Morgan (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Morgan le Fay, a powerful witch in Arthurian legend * Morgan (surname), a surname of Welsh origin * Morgan (singer), ...
Raid where they were in contact with his raiders at North Vernon, July 13, and at Pierceville, July 14. After the successful rebuff of the raid, the regiment returned to Dearborn and trained there until August 16 when they moved to Chicago, to guarding prisoners-of-war (POWs) until March 17, 1864.The regiment was ordered to Annapolis, Md., March 17.


Company K

Of note, Company K was composed primarily of
Native Americans of the United States Native Americans, also known as American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Americans, and other terms, are the Indigenous peoples of the mainland United States (Indigenous peoples of Hawaii, Alaska and territories of the United States are ...
, especially members of the
Ojibwa The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
,
Odawa The Odawa (also Ottawa or Odaawaa ), said to mean "traders", are an Indigenous American ethnic group who primarily inhabit land in the Eastern Woodlands region, commonly known as the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. They ha ...
, and
Potawatomi The Potawatomi , also spelled Pottawatomi and Pottawatomie (among many variations), are a Native American people of the western Great Lakes region, upper Mississippi River and Great Plains. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a m ...
nations. In their first action at Although some members were armed with repeaters and breech-loaders, and despite Colonel Deland's attempts to requisition 700 Henrys for the regiment, the majority remained armed with Springfield Model 1861 rifled muskets. The unit distinguished itself in its skirmishing ability, infiltration ability, and marksmanship. The regiment was highly trained in its combat skills, and the First Nations men in Company K were recognized as the most accomplished. In their first combat at
The Wilderness The Wilderness may refer to wilderness, a natural environment. The Wilderness may also refer to: Film and television * Badland Hunters, ''The Wilderness'' (2024 film), a South Korean Netflix film Places *The Wilderness (Virginia), a dense fores ...
, Through its service, the regiment was esteemed for its solid, dependable, and effective conduct. It provided valuable sniping, counter-sniping, and harassment fire during the Siege of Petersburg. It was noted for its "splendid work" in the debacle of the
Battle of the Crater The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the siege of Petersburg. It took place on Saturday, July 30, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union Arm ...
on 30 July 1864. Many other Union soldiers noticed mortally wounded Native American members of Company K, "... drawing their blouses over their faces, they chanted a death song and died — four of them a group."


Order of battle

The 1st was one of the first units to enter Petersburg after it finally fell on April 1, 1865. The regiment was attached to the following: * 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division,
IX Corps 9 Corps, 9th Corps, Ninth Corps, or IX Corps may refer to: France * 9th Army Corps (France) * IX Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars Germany * IX Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German ...
, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1864. * 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps, to July, 1865 The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters' detailed service is as follows (NOTE — Battles are ''Bolded, Italicized''; campaigns are ''Italicized''):


1863

* Organizing at Kalamazoo and Dearborn, MI to 7 July * Six companies sent to repel Morgan's Raid, the Confederate army's major incursion into Indiana 7 July * North Vernon, Ind., July 13 * Pierceville, July 14 * To Dearborn, 15 July * Camp Douglas, Chicago, guarding POWs until 7 March 1864


1864

* Ordered to Annapolis 17 Mar * Duty in Annapolis until April 23, 1864. * '' Overland Campaign'' May 4-June 15 * ''
Battle of the Wilderness The Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5–7, 1864, during the American Civil War. It was the first battle of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Arm ...
'' May 5–7. ''— In Christ's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's
IX Corps 9 Corps, 9th Corps, Ninth Corps, or IX Corps may refer to: France * 9th Army Corps (France) * IX Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars Germany * IX Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German ...
. Lost 25 men: 11 killed or died of wounds, 13 wounded, and 1 missing'' * Spottsylvania May 8-12 * Ni River May 10 * ''
Battle of Spottsylvania Court House The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, sometimes more simply referred to as the Battle of Spotsylvania (or the 19th-century spelling Spottsylvania), was the second major battle in Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's 186 ...
'' May 12-21. ''— In Humphrey's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's IX Corps. Lost 155 men: 34 killed or died of wounds, 117 wounded, and 4 missing'' * '' Assault on the Salient'' May 12 * North Anna River May 23-26. * Ox Ford May 23-24. * On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. * Totopotomoy May 28-31. * '' Battle of Cold Harbor'' June 1-12.''— In Christ's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's IX Corps.'' * Bethesda Church June 1-3 * '' Siege of Petersburg'' June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. * '' Second Battle of Petersburg'' June 16-18. ''— In Christ's (wounded June 17)/Raultson's (wounded June 18)/Travers' (wounded June 18)/
Newberry's J. J. Newberry's was an American five and dime store chain in the 20th century. It was founded in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States, in 1911 by John Josiah Newberry (1877–1954). J. J. Newberry learned the variety store business by worki ...
2nd Brigade, 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's IX Corps.'' * ''
Battle of the Crater The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the siege of Petersburg. It took place on Saturday, July 30, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union Arm ...
'' Petersburg, July 30, 1864.''— In Humphrey's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's IX Corps.'' * '' Battle of Globe Tavern'' August 18-21. ''— In Humphrey's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 3rd Division, Burnside's IX Corps.'' * ''
Battle of Peebles's Farm The Battle of Peebles's Farm (or Poplar Springs Church or Poplar Grove Church) was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia, during the Siege of Petersburg in ...
'' September 29-October 2. ''— In Hartranft's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 1st Division, Burnside's IX Corps.'' * Reconnaissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Roads October 8 * '' Battle of Boydton Plank Road'' October 27-28.''— In Cutcheon's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 1st Division, Burnside's IX Corps.''


1865

* '' Battle of Fort Stedman'', Petersburg, March 25, 1865. ''— In Ely's 2nd Brigade, Wilcox's 1st Division, Parke's IX Corps'' * '' Appomattox Campaign'' March 28-April 9 * Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. * Occupation of Petersburg April 3. * ''Pursuit of Lee'' April 3- 9 * Moved to Washington, D. C., April 22-27. *
Grand Review The Grand Review of the Armies was a military procession and celebration in the national capital city of Washington, D.C., on May 23–24, 1865, following the Union victory in the American Civil War (1861–1865). Elements of the Union Army in the ...
May 23. * Camp near Washington, D. C., till July 28. * Mustered out July 28, 1865.


Total strength and casualties

The regiment suffered 6 officers and 131 enlisted men who were killed in action or mortally wounded and 165 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 362 fatalities.


Commanders

* Colonel Charles Victor DeLand held nominal command of the regiment from its initial muster until his discharge for disability, on 4 February 1865. Because of wounds, incarceration as a POW, hospitalization, and brief stints as brigade commander, he spent only a portion of this time in active command. DeLand was promoted to
Brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...
Brigadier General for "faithful, gallant, and meritorious service" on 14 March 1865. *
Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
Levant Rhines actively commanded the regiment from 14 May 1864 until killed in action, 17 June 1864. He was posthumously promoted to major. *Captain Elmer Dicey actively commanded the regiment from Rhines' death until 15 July 1864. He also commanded the regiment during the
Battle of the Crater The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the siege of Petersburg. It took place on Saturday, July 30, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union Arm ...
, 30 July 1864, during which he was captured. *Captain George Murdock actively commanded the regiment from 30 September 1864, when Colonel DeLand was wounded and captured, until November 1864. He resigned on 12 December 1864. Murdock was promoted to Brevet Major on 4 December 1864. *
Major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...
Asahel Nichols actively commanded the regiment from 12 November 1864 until February 1865, when he assumed full command. He was promoted to
lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
in March, and remained in command until 2 April 1865, when he was seriously wounded. He was promoted to Brevet Colonel for his “conspicuous gallantry” that day. *Several officers briefly commanded the regiment during the ensuing battle on 2 April 1865, among them, Captain James DeLand, and Captain Levant Case, who assumed command after DeLand was wounded. Both men were promoted to Brevet Major for their actions that day. *Captain (later Brevet Major) Ira Evans commanded the regiment from 3 April until 27 April 1865. *Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Buckbee commanded the regiment from 27 April until the Sharpshooters mustered out, 28 July 1865.


Notable Members

* Captain
Charles G. Conn Charles Gerard Conn (January 29, 1844 – January 5, 1931) was an entrepreneur, band instrument manufacturer, newspaper publisher, and U.S. Representative from Indiana for one term from 1893 to 1895. Biography Early life and education Charles G ...
Company H — founder of
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Ltd. instrument company * First Sergeant Charles H. De Puy Company H — for working guns in a rebel fort during
Battle of the Crater The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the siege of Petersburg. It took place on Saturday, July 30, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union Arm ...
* Corporal Sidney Haight Company E — instead of retreating he exposed himself to Confederate fire, remaining in the captured position and deliberately returned fire until the enemy was close upon him. * Private Charles M. Thatcher Company B — instead of retreating or surrendering when the works were captured, regardless of his personal safety, Private Thatcher continued to return the enemy's fire until he was captured. * Corporal Benjamin F. Youngs — Capture of flag of 35th North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.)


See also

* List of Michigan Civil War Units * Michigan in the American Civil War


Notes


References

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{refend


External links


The Civil War Archive
Units and formations of the Union Army from Michigan 1865 disestablishments in Michigan Sharpshooter units and formations of the American Civil War 1863 establishments in Michigan Military units and formations established in 1863 Military units and formations disestablished in 1865