The 1st Michigan was organized at Detroit and mustered into the U.S. service Sept. 13, 1861, with an enrollment of
1,144 officers and men. It left the state Sept. 9 for Washington, D. C, and went into camp at Frederick, Md.,
where it remained several months.
It comprised a part of Gen. Banks' forces, which in Feb., 1862, moved to Harper's Ferry and later entered the
Shenandoah Valley, advancing as far as Winchester, pushing the Confederates before them. The regiment
distinguished itself in many skirmishes while advancing up the valley and companies and detachments made a number
of brilliant charges which attracted the attention of Gen. Banks and received from him complimentary mention in
orders.
The regiment remained at Williamsport until June 12, when it took part in Gen. Pope's Virginia campaign. It was in
Gen. Banks' command when he fought the battle of Cedar mountain, was engaged at Manassas, suffering severely in
that battle, and during the early months of 1863 it had several skirmishes with the enemy, losing a number in
killed and wounded.
It was then assigned to the famous Michigan cavalry brigade, consisting of the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th regiments,
and served with the brigade until the close of the war. The Michigan Brigade fought in every major campaign of the
Army of the Potomac from the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court
House in April 1865.
1863
The brigade moved in pursuit of Lee from Fairfax Court House June 25, 1863, and on the 27th the 1st was detached
to Harper's Ferry, and the 7th for special duty towards Sharpsburg. The brigade was united at Hanover under the
command of Gen. Custer and was engaged at Hanover, Huntertown, and at Gettysburg, where the 1st cavalry saved
Battery M and the day, meeting an entire cavalry brigade in a saber charge and driving it from the field. This was
one of the most desperate as well as brilliant charges of the war and turned what appeared to be a defeat of the
Union forces into a complete victory.
Capt. Jacob S. Green, Adjutant-General Third Division Cavalry Corps
Sir—In compliance with the terms of the circular issued from Division Headquarters on the 2d inst., I have the honor to report the First Michigan cavalry, as engaged under my command, in the following mentioned battles and skirmishes, since the 29th day of June last, as follows:
At Hanover, Pa., June 30, the regiment was not actively employed. It was ordered to support battery M, Second artillery, which was in position on a hill in rear of the town, until a late hour of the afternoon, when the battery was ordered to a new position. The regiment was ordered to hold the hill (the old position) by order of General Farnsworth, since deceased.
At the battle of Hunterstown, July 2, the regiment was put in line of battle on the right of the road, near the village. One squadron, under the command of Capt. A. W. Duggan, was detached to hold a road leading into the town from the rear. This platoon was actively engaged, and did good service.
On the 3d July, the regiment, with the others composing the Second brigade, was ordered to repel an attack on Gen. Meade’s right. The position of the regiment was frequently changed during the day, but without meeting the enemy until about 4 P.M., when the Seventh Michigan cavalry, which had made a charge, and the Fifth Michigan cavalry, which had been deployed as skirmishers, were rapidly driven in by the enemy’s cavalry (Hampton’s brigade), the duty was devolved upon the First Michigan of saving battery M and the day, which was then going against us. Nobly did the "old First" do its duty. Charging in close column, the troopers using the sabre only, the host of rebel myriads were immediately swept from field. Never before in the history of this war has one regiment of National cavalry met an entire brigade of Confederate cavalry, (composed as this brigade was of regiments, each of which equalled in point of numbers the First Michigan) in open field—in a charge and defeated them. By the blessing of God, were not only defeated, but they were driven from the field in great confusion, and this regiment held the ground until ordered to a new position. I cannot say too much in praise of the officers and men of my command upon this occasion. That each did his duty is verified by the fact that the loss of the regiment in ten minutes was six officers and eighty men. Space in this report will forbid any mentioning individual deeds of heroism, but I shall embrace the opportunity offered by the Commanding General, in other form of doing so.
The division to which this regiment is attached moved early on the morning of the 4th ultimo to Emmitsburgh. From thence it proceeded toward Monterey. Before reaching that place the enemy was discovered in force upon the hills to the right of Fountaindale, a small village, some miles this side of Monterey—this regiment being in advance of the column—was sent upon a road leading from the right of the town and to Fairfield Gap. Upon reaching the gap, the enemy were found occupying it. A charge was made by Lieut.-Col. Stagg with one squadron which, with the aid of the other portion of the regiment, deployed as skirmishers, was successful in driving the enemy from the gap. The regiment held the position until the entire column and train had passed, though the enemy made a strong effort, with superior numbers, to drive it out. My command sustained a heavy loss here. Lieut.-Col. Stagg, leading the charge, had his horse killed under him, and falling, was seriously injured. Capt. Wm. R. Elliott, while bravely leading his company, was mortally wounded and died the next morning. Lieut. James S. McIlhenny, at that time, commanding Company G, was killed instantly at Capt. Elliott’s sidel 17 men also were lost in this engagement. I must embrace the present opportunity of paying a parting tribute to the memory of the noble men whose names I have above mentioned. Elliott and McIlhenny were, indeed, true types of the Union soldier. Both of them had volunteered, impressed with the idea of the justness of the cause of the Union. They devoted their whole time to their duties—ever ready and faithful in their discharge. They died as the Union soldier loves to die, leading in the charge. They died, too, earnestly endeavoring to perpetuate the beloved institutions of our country on the anniversary day of its birth. Two officers and six men were lost the same evening at Monterey.
On the 5th ultimo, at Smithfield, the regiment supported Battery M, United States Artillery, but sustained no loss. At Hagerstown on the 6th, it performed the same duty, and was equally fortunate in not meeting with loss.
At Boonsboro on the 8th, though the regiment was frequently under fire, it sustained no loss.
On the 12th, the regiment had the advance to Hagerstown. Five companies were deployed as skirmishers before the town. A squadron was ordered by Gen. Kilpatrick to charge into and through the town. The order was promptly executed, the enemy being driven in confusion from the streets, with the loss of several prisoners. One many only of this regiment was injured upon this day. On the 13th, the regiment was ordered on outpost duty, and was engaged with the enemy most of the day—sustaining a loss of three men severely wounded.
On the 14th this regiment was first to come to the relief of the Sixth Michigan cavalry, which had engaged the enemy near Falling Waters. The brave Weber had just made his gallant charge, as the regiment came up, joining with the Sixth, fighting on foot. The enemy were soon driven from the field. It was here that the Michigan brigade, led by the General commanding in person, did noble work. Each regiment vied with the other in deeds of daring. Five hundred prisoners, one gun, two caissons, three battle-flags, and a large quantity of small arms, attest the labor done. The First Michigan had the honor of capturing two of the three battle-flags, and the Forty-Seventh regiment Virginia infantry as well—at least so much as was on the field—being fifty-six men and five officers.
This engagement was the last that the regiment participated in under my command. Since that time Maj. Weber has had command of it. Permit me here to speak of the late Capt. Charles J. Snyder, of my regiment, who was mortally wounded while gallantly leading a squadron of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, in the streets of Hagerstown, on the 6th July. He had been detailed from the regiment for some days as an Aide for Gen. Kilpatrick, and was ordered by that officer to assist in the charge. Fearlessly he went upon his duty, and, as an eyewitness informed me, nobly did he discharge it. Meeting six sturdy Confederates, he engaged them single handed, cutting three of them out of the saddle and putting the rest to flight, though he received the pistol shot which caused his death, and a saber cut on the head as well, early in the melee. The memory of this brave and noblehearted man will ever be cherished with brotherly fondness by officers and men of the First Michigan cavalry.
The regiment lost at Gettysburg 11 officers and 80 men killed, wounded or missing. On July 4 one squadron of the
regiment charged the enemy at Fairfield gap, driving the Confederates out and holding it until the entire column
passed. Two officers were killed and 17 men were killed or wounded in this charge. The regiment took part in the
severe engagement at Falling Waters, where it captured 2 battle-flags, a major and 70 men. It then returned to
Virginia and was constantly on duty with the brigade, meeting the enemy at many places.
At James City in October, the 1st and 5th regiments were formed in column of battalions, ordered to draw sabers
and, while the band played "Yankee Doodle," went forward at a full gallop, scattering the foe in their front, and
afterward secured a place of safety for the whole command. On Oct. 19 the regiment met the enemy at Buckland mills
in a severe engagement and a week later fought at Morton's ford. In December, 370 of the regiment reenlisted and
went to Michigan on a 30-day furlough.
1864
In Feb., 1864, Gen. Kilpatrick started on a raid to Richmond, taking with him the members of the regiment who did
not reenlist, and they shared all the vicissitudes, dangers and hard- ships of the raid, actually going over the
first line of works at Richmond, but were unable to go further and returned to the army after severe fighting and
many losses. After the veteran furlough the regiment reassembled at Camp Stoneman, D. C., and was joined by a
battalion of newly organized troops that had been recruited the previous December.
The regiment was among the forces commanded by Gen. Sheridan in his celebrated raid in the rear of Lee's army and
took part in the severe engagements that were fought both in the advance upon Richmond and the return. One
battalion charged the enemy conducting 400 Union prisoners to Richmond and recaptured all of them. At Yellow
tavern the regiment moved forward, meeting a severe line of grape and canister from a battery concealed on the
right, but, nothing daunted, it advanced with cheers and yells, though it had to cross five fences and a narrow
bridge, rode straight for the battery and captured it with a large number of prisoners.
It took part in the severe engagement at Haw's shop, where the battle raged for hours with great fury, each side
obstinately contesting every inch of ground. The regiment was at Cold Harbor and during a spirited engagement with
infantry, artillery and cavalry it made a saber charge upon the enemy and broke his line, when the Confederates
threw down their arms and fled, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. The next morning that portion of the
line held by the regiment was attacked by a large force of the enemy, but the attack was repulsed.
In June it was engaged in the battle of Trevilian Station, and in the latter part of July was ordered to
Washington to take part in the Shenandoah campaign under Gen. Sheridan. It shared all the vicissitudes of the
numerous battles that culminated in driving Gen. Early and all Confederate forces out of the valley.
1865
In Feb., 1865, the regiment was a part of the forces under Gen. Sheridan when he moved against
the enemy's communications at Gordonsville, and in March fought the Confederate cavalry at Louisa Court House, defeating the enemy and
destroying a large amount of public property. The regiment helped to destroy the locks, aqueducts and mills on the
James river canal, the destruction of which was a serious embarrassment to Gen. Lee.
It fought at Five Forks and clung close to the enemy during the memorable days of the pursuit of Lee's army, everywhere striking hard blows that helped to deprive the enemy of his wagon trains and artillery, fighting desperately at Sailor's creek, where
the Michigan brigade destroyed 400 wagons, captured 16 guns, and cut off Gen. Ewell's corps from Lee's army, when
Gen. Ewell and his corps of 6,000 surrendered.
After the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, the regiment was sent to North Carolina, but returned to
Washington, where it took part in the grand review. It was then ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., thence to Fort
Laramie, Wyo. Ter., and the men endured great hardships in their campaign against the Indians in the far West. The
regiment was mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10, 1866, where the men were paid and disbanded.
