Michigan Third Infantry (Civil War)Regimental HistoryThe Third was organized at Grand Rapids and was mustered into service June 10, 1861,with an enrollment of 1,040 officers and men. The field, staff andline officers at organization were as follows: Colonel, Daniel McConnell, Grand Rapids. Lieutenant Colonel, Ambrose A. Stevens,Saranac. Major, Stephen G. Champlin, Grand Rapids. Surgeon, D. Willard Bliss, Grand Rapid . Assistant Surgeon, Zenas E. Bliss, Grand Rapids. Adjutant, Edu-ard S. Earle, Grand Rapids. Quartermaster, Robert M. Collins, Grand Rapids. Chaplain, Francis M. Cummings, Grand Rapids. A. Captain, Samuel A. Judd, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Frederick Shriver, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Charles D. Lyon, Grand Rapids. B. Captain, Baker Borden, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Elisha O. Stevens, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Frederick A. Stow, Grand Rapids. C. Captain, Adolph Birkenstock, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Max Von Krout, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Felix Zoll, Grand Rapids. D. Captain, Moses B. Houghton, Saranac. First Lieutenant, Peter Z. Granger, Saranac. Second Lieutenant, George W. Phillips, Saranac. E. Captain, Edwin S. Pierce, Lyons. First Lieutenant, Solomon P. Tumy, Muir. Second Lieutenant, Israel C. Smith, Grand Rapids. F. Captain, John J. Dennis, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Frederick W. Worden, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Peter A. Bogardus, Grand Rapids. G. Captain, John R. Price, Lansing. First Lieutenant, Robert B. Jefferds, Lansing. Second Lieutenant, James B. TenEyck, Lansing. H. Captain, Emery D. Bryant, Muskegon. First Lieutenant, Charles D. Spang, Muskegon. Second Lieutenant. William L. Ryan, Muskegon. I. Captain, George Weatherwax, Georgetown. First Lieutenant, Stephen L. Lowing,Georgetown. Second Lieutenant, Abraham J. Whitney, Hastings. K. Captain, Byron R. Pierce, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Almond Borden, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Robert M. Collins, Grand Rapids. The regiment left Grand Rapids June 13, 1861, for Washington, D. C., to join the army of the Potomac, and one month afterward took part in the action at Blackburn's Ford, Va. Col. McConnell resigned Oct. 22. 1861, and Major Champlin was commissioned Colonel Oct. 28, 1861, and under his command the Third went Into winter quarters at Alexandria, Va., until the following March, when It was assigned to General Berry's Brigade. Third Division, Third Corps, and entered upon the Peninsula campaign conducted by General McClellan 1862. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 5th, fought gallantly at Fair Oaks and received special commendation from General Berry commanding the brigade, and from General Phil Kearney commanding the division for duty " nobly performed." The severe loss of 30 killed, 124 wounded and 1; missing attested the conspicuous part that the Third took in this battle. It engaged the enemy at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, and at Malvern Hill, July 1. During the entire campaign, the Third was marching, or constructing fortifications, fighting the enemy and taking part in the historic battles of the war. The campaign ended with the battle of Malvern Hill, and the Third with its Corps returned to take part in the disastrous campaign conducted by General Pope. At Groveton, near the battlefield of Bull Run, a severe engagement was fought with the confederate corps of General Jackson, General Longstreet arriving upon the field in time to relieve Jackson's troops and convert the campaign of General Pope into a retreat of the Union forces behind the defenses of Washington. During the months following the regiment moved with its brigade to different points in Virginia, and in October with the third corps crossed the Potomac at Chain bridge, and after marching through Maryland crossed the river again and reached Falmouth, Va., the 23d. At this point it crossed the Rappahannock and participated in the three days' battle of Fredericksburg, recrossing December 15, and occupying its former camp at Falmouth. The Third crossed the Rappahannock again at United States Ford May 1, 1863, and marched to Chancellorsville, where it was in danger of capture or annihilation on account of the demoralization of the Eleventh Corps when overwhelmed by Jackson's Confederate troops. By stubborn fighting the Third held its position with a loss of 63 killed, wounded and missing, and in good order re- crossed the river with the army when the order was given by General Hooker. The Third was in General Sickles' division during this engagement, and the contest was hand to hand, and the slaughter great. On the 11th of June the Third Corps started on a long and tiresome march in search of General Lee's Army and came in contact with it at Gettysburg, the 2d and 3d day of July. Sickles' Corps, in which the Third served. had an advanced line the second day of the battle, and was assaulted by the confederates, when a desperate conflict ensued. The Corps fell back to its original position, and was strengthened by the Fifth Corps, when the confederates were repulsed. In this battle the Third lost 40 killed, wounded and missing. After the battle of Gettysburg, the Third followed the retreating confederates to Williamsport, crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry and marched to Manassas Gap. On the 17th of August the Third moved to Alexandria, Va., and was then sent to New York City to quiet the turbulence caused by the draft. From New York it was sent to Troy, N. Y., and then returned to its brigade at Culpepper, Va., where it arrived September 17th. In October the regiment was at Auburn Heights, Manassas, Centerville, Fairfax Station and at Catlett's Station. The regiment was in camp at Warrenton Junction November 7, where it commenced a series of marches, when it met the enemy at Kelly's Ford at Mine Run, charging the confederates in their works the 30th, and arrived at Brandy Station December 2. During the operations for the month the regiment lost 31 killed, wounded and missing. On the 23d of December 207 members of the regiment re- enlisted and returned to the state on veteran furlough. After the regiment returned from veteran furlough and joined the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps, it cvrossed the Rapidan May 4, 1864, and entered upon the Wilderness campaign It was then temporarily consolidated with the Fifth Michigan Infantry. The Second Corps was commanded by General Hancock, and was always where the heaviest fighting was, and the Third shared in all the movements and battles of the Corps. It was engaged in the desperate struggle of the Wilderness, and charged the enemy's works at Spottsylvania, where it captured a large number of prisoners and two regimental colors. The Third was engaged at North Anna River the 23d and 24th of May, and at Cold Harbor June 7. On the 9th of June the men who did not re-enlist and some of the recruits who joined the regiment after it was in the field, with some of the officers, proceeded to Michigan for muster out. This action depleted the regiment to such an extent that those w ho had re-enlisted were formed into a battalion, and were attached to the Fifth Michigan Infantry. The order consolidating the Third and Fifth Infantry was issued by the Secretary of War June 13, 1864. On the 20th day of June, 1864, the Third was mustered out of service paid and disbanded at Detroit. This regiment participated in engagements at Blackburn's Ford, Va., July I8, 1861;Bull Run, Va., July 21, 186l; siege of Yorktown, Va., April 4 to May, 4, 1862; Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862; Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862; Savage Station, Va., June 29, 1862, Peach Orchard, Va., June 29 1862; Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862; White Oak Swamp, Va., June 30,1862, Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Bull Run, 2d, Va., August 29, 1862: Chantilly, Va., September 1, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., December, 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 1,2, 3 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863; Wapping Heights, Va., July 23, 1863; Auburn Heights, Va., October 1, 1863; Kelly's Ford, Va., November 7, 1863; Locust Grove, Va., November 27, 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 29 and 30, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May;5, 6, 7, 1864; Todd's Tavern, Va., May 8, 1864; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864: Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 23, 24, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 17, 1864 Total enrollment 1,432
The Third was reorganized in October, 1864, at Grand Rapids, under Col. M. B. Houghton, and was mustered into service the 15th of the month with an enrollment of 879 officers and men. The regiment left Grand Rapids October 20, for Nashville, Tenn. During the month of November the Third was stationed at Decatur, Ala. It then moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., where it was engaged in picket and scouting duty, and remained at Murfreesboro until January 16, 1865, when it moved to Huntsville, Ala. In February the regiment was at Huntsville, Ala., and on the 16th of March proceeded to New Market, Tenn., and afterward camped at Bull's Gap and Jonesboro. It was very efficient in driving out the numerous bands of guerillas that infested that portion of the country, and affording protection to the loyal people of Tennessee. After the surrender of the confederate armies in the east, the Third proceeded to New Orleans, La., where it embarked and crossed the Gulf of Mexico to San Antonio, Texas, where it arrived after a foruteen days' march, November 6. It remained here during the winter, doing provost duty, and in May, 1866, it moved to Victoria, where it was mustered out of service. The regiment returned to Michigan, and was paid and disbanded at Detroit, June l0, 1866. The regiment was engaged at Decatur, Ala., October 28, 29, 30, 1804; Murfreesboro, Tenn., November 30 to December 20, 1864 Total enrollment 1,191
Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Edwin S. Pierce, Third Michigan Infantry. Hdqrs. Third Regt. Michigan Volunteers,
We left Emmitsburg at 3 a. m. on the 2d, and arrived at Gettysburg about 12 m. On our nearing Gettysburg, the enemy appeared in our rear and left flank. We were then marched near and to the left of the Taneytown road, where the brigade was formed in column of regiments, we occupying the right, where we halted for a short time. Then we were moved forward about 1 mile, when the enemy made his appearance in force, and was driving in our pickets. The colonel was then ordered to deploy his regiment as skirmishers. He moved his regiment by the right flank to the left of the peach orchard, of which the enemy held a portion, where he deployed Companies I, F, and K, deploying forward on the right of Company F. We drove the enemy's skirmishers back to and beyond the stone house and barn on the left of the Emmitsburg road, our right resting in front of the orchard, near the road. Upon gaining this position, we discovered that the enemy was massing his forces on our left. I reported the same to Gen. Sickles, and kept him informed of the enemy's movements. During the engagement, the enemy made several attempts to retake the house and barn, but were repulsed with heavy loss, our men fighting with a desperation never before witnessed, and at times at a range of not over 50 yards. Company A was detached to support a portion of Gen. Graham's line on our right. They advanced to the brick house on the right of the Emmitsburg road, holding their position until overpowered by a superior force. The most of Gen. Graham's force having retired, we held our position until about 7 p. m., when the left had retired so far that we were in danger of being flanked. We retired in good order, and assisted in bringing off a portion of two batteries. It was at this time that the colonel was wounded, and I assumed command, he having remained mounted during the entire engagement, and constantly on the skirmish line cheering the men on. We rejoined the brigade where it was formed at the commencement, when we were marched across the Taneytown road, and bivouacked for the night. Our loss was as follows: Officers and men. K. W. M. T. Officers........................................ ... 3 ... 3
K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total. On the morning of the 3d, we moved forward to the first position occupied on the 2d, and were formed the same, where we remained till about 3 p. m. Thence we were moved off by the right flank at double-quick to where the enemy was trying to pierce our center. The regiment was here detached, and sent to the support of the Second Division, Second Corps, where we assisted in repulsing the enemy, who had succeeded in breaking through a portion of their line. The regiment occupied the front line till the morning of the 5th, when we rejoined our brigade. No casualties occurred to the regiment during this day's action. In closing this report, I cannot particularize any of the officers or men, but I am proud to state that they did their duty without an exception. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWIN S. PIERCE,
Capt. Ben. M. Piatt,
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43 Battles Fought
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