zens, with whom there was an understanding and an arrangement to assist in repelling any attack that might be made upon the city or along the river in the vicinity. There was also a small force guarding the arsenal at Dearborn, in which was stored about thirty-five thousand stand of arms. To guard against any attack or landing being made by steamers or vessels from the Canadian side with a hostile intention, several armed steam tugs were employed by the Government in patrolling the river at various points.

THE MICHIGAN CONTINGENT.

The Michigan "Contingent" in the war was largely made up of men who enlisted for three years, and were mainly from the more respectable and industrious of the community. Leaving the peaceful avocations of civil life, these men were disciplined into soldiers and converted into heroes, sometimes even during the operations and emergencies of a single campaign. Patient and obedient under the most rigid discipline, persistent and enduring on the long and tedious march, cheerful and untiring in the trenches, apt in experiment, and most ingenious in construction, they added to all these qualifications and merits true courage in the field, while almost every important action has illustrated their heroism, and almost every battle-field is consecrated with their blood. Their services were eagerly sought for by all the best generals-whether to construct a defence, lead a "forlorn hope," or charge a battery.

The armies of no other nation, even after many years of the training which war brings with it, have evinced so marvellous a developement of soldierly qualities as characterized the American troops during their comparatively short term of service. The annals of the times will rear an imperishable monument to the patriotism of all the States which in the nation's peril gave their sons in the conflict, and the honor of one will be among the precious possessions of the others; but it will be for Michigan to cherish with peculiar pride and tenderness the remembrance and the fame of the gallant band of patriots who, in the fiercest struggles of modern warfare, and among comrades of equal worth and bravery, while preserving the national life and integrity, have reflected undying lustre upon her own escutcheon.

Scarcely had the rebel gauntlet been tossed in defiance, scarcely had the echo of the first rebel gun passed away, scarcely had the electric messenger done its momentous errand-proclaiming the fact of civil war, and that the flag of America had been insulted and struck from its proud perch on Sumter's walls, ere the men of Michigan were in arms, eager and ready to defend and maintain the National Union, and protect its flag, to uphold the honor of their State, and save their glorious birth-right of freemen. They vowed to God and their native land, and pledged their arms and their lives, that the beloved flag of their country should again wave triumphantly on the walls of Sumter, and over every State and inch of ground in the Union, and that the Republic should be saved and forever preserved.

The call of Abraham Lincoln received a ready and substantial response from the people of Michigan. With remarkable dispatch her gallant regiments armed, clothed, equipped, and fully appointed, left the State to meet the enemies of American liberty.

Michigan troops, prompt and prominent at the outset of the rebellion, were also in at its death. They were among those who, under Wilcox, first crossed the Long Bridge into Virginia, and participated in the capture of

Alexandria. They were in the command of the brave and lamented Richardson, who first opened fire upon the rebels at Blackburn's Ford, on July 18, 1861, in the vicinity of Bull Run.

They were with General McClellan in West Virginia, in the first year of the war, and were in South Carolina and Georgia in 1862, and during that year served with the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula and in Maryland, with General Banks in the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia under General Burnside, in Louisiana under General Butler, and in Missouri with General Pope and Colonel Mulligan.

In 1863 they bore a conspicuous and gallant part in the ever memorable campaigns under General Hooker, in Virginia, and General Meade, in Pennsylvania, at the defence of Knoxville by General Burnside, at the capture of Vicksburg by General Grant, and on the celebrated Kilpatrick raid against Richmond. They were also engaged in the campaign of General Rosecrans against Chattanooga, and were actively employed in the field at various points in Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana, under other generals.

In 1864-5 they were with General Grant on his great march against Richmond, and bravely participated in most of the hard fought battles of that eventful campaign. They were also with General Sherman on his remarkable march from Chattanooga to the sea, and were prominently engaged in most of his memorable and successful battles, and with General Sheridan in his matchless encounters with the enemy in the valley of the Shenandoah, where, in command of Custer, their sabres flashed in every battle. They took part in the gallant defence of Nashville by General Thomas, and were with Generals Stoneman and Wilson on their raids into North Carolina and Georgia. They were also at the capture of Mobile, and served in Texas and Utah Territory during a part of 1865-6. Michigan was well represented in the Union armies at the surrender of Lee and Johnston, and a Michigan regiment captured the President of the so-called Confederacy-Jefferson Davis-in his inglorious flight to escape deserved punishment for his infamous treason and rebellion.

Michigan troops, in all the campaigns and battles in which they participated, were most reliable, conspicuously brave and gallant. In every position in which they were placed they were true, self-sacrificing, patient under hardship, murmuring not, meeting death by exposure, starvation, and cruel treatment in rebel prisons, and many more by rebel bullets in sanguinary strife.

From the beginning of the war until its end, the motto of Michigan soldiers was, fight on until every rebel shall be conquered and made to yield obedience, or if needs be utterly destroyed. That motto they most successfully maintained; meeting the enemy on his last field, they, in common with their comrades of the Union army, compelled him to lay down his rebellious arms, to beg not only for quarter but for peace, and submit unconditionally to the terms of their dictation. Having accomplished that, they returned to their homes the preservers of their nation, receiving the plaudits and gratitude of their fellow countrymen, and of every friend of freedom and humanity throughout the civilized world.

To have included in this volume the entire campaigns of these regiments, would have been a most desirable and pleasant labor, but would have engrossed its whole space, and therefore has been abandoned, leaving a subject rich in record of faithful and gallant service and brave deeds for future publication, and giving only a few of the leading achievements of each.

It would also have been very satisfactory to have referred to the special

services and achievements of the many companies and men of Michigan, that were connected with regiments of other States, but not having any data from which to sketch them, the matter has been reluctantly deferred. Undoubtedly, they maintain the reputation of Michigan troops, which was always pre-eminently high.

REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS.

The celebrated regiment of Michigan engineers and mechanics was raised and organized under the supervision of Colonel William P. Innes, of Grand Rapids, and went to the field in Kentucky December 17th, 1861, in command of that officer. It is but justice to this regiment to state a fact generally conceded by the whole Western army that a more useful regiment, or one performing more valuable service, was not found in that great army, as during its entire service, ending with the surrender of Lee and Johnston, including the great Sherman campaign, scarcely a bridge was built or a road opened for the use of the Western army that was not either wholly accomplished or aided by this regiment. While it was at all times ready and expeditious in the performance of the legitimate duties of an engineer regiment it never failed as a gallant fighting force when opportunity offered. First meeting the enemy at Mill Springs, in Kentucky, January 19th, 1862, then in Mississippi at Farmington May 9th, at Corinth the 10th, and at Perryville, Kentucky, same year, where its reputation as a fighting regiment was fully established; but at Lavergne, Tennessee, January 1st, 1863, it was most signally distinguished, and its gallant conduct in that battle gives it a most enviable page in the history of the war.

While General Rosecrans was fighting the important battle of Stone river, the regiment, then in command of Col. Innes, on the 31st December, 1862, was specially ordered by the commanding general to take a position in the rear of his army at Lavergne, on the main road from Nashville to Murfreesboro, to protect the baggage trains. On the next morning, for greater safety, Colonel Innes formed his wagon train in the form of a half circle and made some hastily-constructed breast works of logs and such loose material as could be found at hand. This precaution seems to have been taken none too soon, as at 2 P. M. the command was attacked by an overwhelming rebel force of from three to four thousand cavalry, with one section of light artillery, the whole commanded by the rebel Major-General Wheeler. Their object, as afterwards ascertained, was to burn and plunder the heavily-laden trains passing on the pike between Nashville and Rosecrans' army. Col. Innes and his small but gallant regiment, numbering not over 315, fought this superior force until dark, when it was withdrawn with heavy loss, having vainly endeavored to compel a surrender. During this five hours' engagement the enemy made seven separate and distinct charges, sometimes forcing their horses on to the very breastworks, which were as often most gallantly repelled; at the same time their artillery was kept constantly in play, with considerable effect, damaging the wagons, killing some thirty or forty horses and mules attached to wagons both inside and outside the circle. Three times Gen. Wheeler sent a flag of truce to Colonel Innes demanding a surrender, and claiming an increase of his force, to which the colonel replied in a most characteristic manner" that he could not see it ;" so long as his ammunition held out he could not see the force of his argu

ment.

A correspondent at the time says: "The scene was at times thrilling beyond description. The rebel horde, exasperated at the successful resistance

of the little force, dashed their horses against the circular brush fence, which was only breast high, with infuriated shouts and curses. But the Michigan troops were cool and determined; they loaded fast and aimed well, and, as the troopers rushed on upon all sides, they were met with staggering volleys almost at the muzzle of the muskets. Horses and riders recoiled again and again until they despaired, and soon swept away through the dense forests, leaving over fifty of their dead upon the field, which were buried by our forces. The ground all around that small circle of brush was strewn with dead horses of the rebel troopers, and with their clothing, guns, &c. Truly this was one of the most gallant affairs of the campaign.'

Mr. Greeley, in his excellent work, "The American Conflict," notices Col. Innes' extraordinary defence at Lavergne, and says:

"On the whole, the enemy's operations in the rear of our army during this memorable conflict, (battle of Stone river,) reflect no credit on the intelligence and energy with which they were resisted. The silver lining to this cloud' is a most gallant defence made on the 1st January by Col. Innes' 1st Michigan engineers and mechanics, only 391 strong, who had taken post on high ground near Lavergne, and formed such a barricade of cedars, &c. as they hurriedly might. Here they were attacked, at 2 P. M., by Whar ton's cavalry, whom they successfully resisted and beat off. Wharton's official report is their best eulogium. He was in command of six or eight regiments. Wharton.' A regiment of infantry, under Colonel Dennis, (Innes,) also was stationed in a cedar brake and fortifications near this point. I caused the battery under Lieut. Pike, who acted with great gallantry, to open on it. The fire, at a range of not more than 400 yards, was kept up for more than an hour, and must have resulted in great damage to the enemy. I caused the enemy to be charged on three sides at the same time by Colonels Cox and Smith and Lieut. Col. Malone, and the charge was repeated four times; but the enemy was so strongly posted that it was found impossible to dislodge him.'"

The regiment lost only two killed and twelve wounded, while the rebel loss, as estimated at the time, was something over a hundred in killed and wounded.

General Rosecrans, in his official report, gave the regiment credit for having successfully repulsed ten times its own number on that occasion.

During the residue of the year the regiment was actively employed in its ordinary duties, building bridges, repairing railroads, &c., with its headquarters in the neighborhood of Elk River Bridge. In the early part of 1864 the regiment, in command of Col. John Yates, was with the advance of Sherman's army on Atlanta, and on the 30th of September had its headquarters there. On the 16th of November it marched from Atlanta as a part of the engineer force of General Sherman's army, performing with remarkable promptness its arduous and important duties on that great march. It is estimated that during that campaign, besides making and repairing a great distance of corduroy road, the regiment destroyed and twisted the rails of thirty miles of railroad tract and built eight or ten important bridges and crossings. At Edisto it constructed a bridge under a severe fire from the enemy's sharpshooters; continuing its faithful and important services. throughout the rest of the campaign and until the arrival of Sherman's army at Washington. Early in June it was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and thence to Nashville, where it was mustered out of service on the 22d of September.

THE CAVALRY BRIGADE,

CONSISTING OF THE 1ST, 5TH, 6th, and 7th REGIMENTS.

The 1st regiment of cavalry was organized during the summer of 1861, by Col. T. F. Brodhead, and left its rendezvous in Detroit on the 29th of September for Washington, in command of that officer. It lay in camp at Frederick, Md., a considerable portion of the winter, and its principal service was on the upper Potomac, in the Shenandoah Valley, and near the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge. It was in action at Winchester, March 23, 1862; at Middletown, March 25th; at Strasburg, March 27th; at Harrisonburg, April 22d; at Winchester again, May 24th; at Orange CourtHouse, July 16th; at Cedar Mountain, August 9th; and at Bull Run, August 30th. At the latter action its commanding officer, Colonel Brodhead,* was mortally wounded, and died September 2d, and its casualties in that engagement showed 7 killed, 13 wounded, 7 prisoners, and 106 missing.

During November and December following, and the early part of 1863, the regiment, in command of Colonel Charles H. Town, was engaged on grand guard duty in front of the defences of Washington, on a line extending from Edward's Ferry to the mouth of the Occoquan.

During the raid about the Union lines, made by the rebel Gen. Stuart, in February, 1863, a detachment of fifty-six men of this regiment were sent out to watch his movements. Near Occoquan the enemy came in range of the carbines of this party, and fell back in confusion at the first fire. Discovering the weakness of the force opposed to them, the rebel cavalry recov ered and charged vigorously with a large force, before which the detachment retired, fighting from behind bushes, &c., during a pursuit of several miles, with a resulting loss to Stuart's troopers of fifteen in killed and wounded, and to themselves of none. On the 27th of June, the regiment took up its line of march northward in the Gettysburg campaign.

The 5th cavalry was organized under the authority given by the War Department and the Governor to Colonel J. T. Copeland, then in the 1st cavalry. Its organization began in July, 1862, and it was mustered into service as a regiment on the 30th of August, at its rendezvous in Detroit. The regiment was subjected to a long delay in procuring its arms and equipments, and left the State only partly armed, but fully equipped, mounted, and clothed, on the 4th of December following, for Washington. A number of men were lost by desertion previous to its departure, and its rolls show that down to that period it had carried the names of 1,305 officers and men. A battery of light artillery was raised in connection with this regiment, which was classed as the 9th Michigan battery, and originally known as Daniel's. This battery was afterwards designated as Battery "I," 1st Michigan light artillery.

On November 29, 1862, Colonel Copeland was appointed a brigadiergeneral of volunteers, being succeeded in the command of the regiment by Colonel Freeman Norvell, who was promoted from lieutenant-colonel on the 31st of December. He served in command of the regiment in the field until the 27th of February following, when he resigned. Major R. A. Alger,

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"Col

*Report of Major Charles H. Town, commanding 1st Michigan: * Thornton F. Brodhead, mo tally wounded at Bull Run, Va., August 30, 1862, while gallantly leading his men to the charge."

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While on his death-bed in the field, almost the last words to his attending surgeon

were, "The Old Flag will triumph yet."

In his letter to his wife, he writes: "I fought manfully and now die fearlessly."