Military Record of Michigan
Volunteers in the Civil War
With Honor Roll Of
Negroes Who Went to the
Front in Defence
Of The
Nation and Freedom
Source:
MICHIGAN MANUAL FREEDMEN'S PROGRESS
Michigan's Volunteer Negro Soldiers
1st Michigan Colored Infantry - 102nd U.S. Colored Troops
At this late date it is not generally known how many Michigan
Negroes volunteered their services to the Government in the War of the
Rebellion, 1861 to 1865, and it will be of interest, no doubt, to learn
that more than 1,600 of Michigan's Colored population, in 1864, enlisted in
the Union Army to aid in crushing the Rebellion. Troops had been
tendered to the Government and had been refused, and it was not until late
in the war that Colored men were accepted as defenders of the nation.
In 1903 the Michigan Legislature adopted an act, providing for the
compilation and publication, in alphabetical form, the regimental history
of all soldiers in Michigan who were enlisted and credited to the State of
Michigan in the War of the Rebellion. The act provided for one volume
devoted to the First Regiment, Michigan Colored Troops. It was duly
passed by the Legislature and approved by Governor Aaron T. Bliss. The
compilation was subsequently completed and published, volume 46 being
devoted to Negro volunteers.
It was in July, 1863, that Gov. Austin Blair was authorized by the
Secretary of War to organize one regiment of infantry composed of
Colored men and as fast as the different companies were recorded the officers
for same were appointed by the Secretary of War and the companies
mustered into service. It is not the purpose here to give anything of a
history of the accomplishments of the Negro troops, but primarily to
provide an honor roll in this Manual for the Negro citizens of the State who
volunteered their services to the Government in its hour of need.
The total number of men who enrolled as soldiers from July, 1863, to
the close of the war in 1865 was 1673. There were killed in action, 5; died
of wounds, 7; died of diseases, 116; discharged for disability, 114. This
regiment left Michigan for Annapolis, Md., in 1864, where it joined the 9th
Army Corps. Quoting from the Record First Michigan Colored Infantry,
Civil War: "It was soon detached and sent by transports to Hilton Head,
South Carolina, where it arrived April 19th, 1864. For two months the
different companies did picket duty at St. Helena and Jenkins Islands
and at Hilton Head Island. The regiment then occupied Port Royal and
assisted in constructing fortifications and other fatigue duty. In August
the regiment was sent to Jacksonville, Fla.; then marched to Baldwin,
where it destroyed railroad tracks. It was attacked by the enemy and during
the engagement the regiment convinced its officers that the men could be
relied upon when serious service was demanded. After a long march
from through Eastern Florida they first embarked on transports at
Magnolia for Beaufort, S. C. In September it was sent to different points
at Coosa and Port Royal Islands and in October the enemy attempted to
surprise and capture the regiment, but was repulsed and driven off. In
November, 1864, a detachment of 300 joined the forces under General Foster
at Boyd's Landing, and engaged the enemy at Honey Hill, S. C., Tillifinny and
Deveaux Neck. At Gorhamsville a detachment fought a sanguinary battle
with the enemy and received the highest commendation of the officers in
command for holding its ground in a severe fire and in repulsing a
charge and charging in return.
"The artillery from the expedition suffered severely from the
enemy's fire, so many horses being killed that two guns had to be
abandoned, but the men of the first hauled them off by hand and they were
saved."
"Many of the men, though wounded and bleeding, refused to go to the
rear and fought until the battle was concluded. In February, 1865, the
regiment was re-united at Pocatalligo and made several expeditions into
the enemy's country, driving off his cavalry and destroying railroads and
building breast works. It was then sent to Charleston, where it built
defences and then embarked for Savannah, Georgia. Returned to
Charleston, April 9th, and divided into two wings, each wing making
daring incursions into the interior of the state, meeting the enemy in
several severe skirmishes, defeating him in each engagement. On May 29th,
after the surrender of General Johnson, the regiment proceeded to
Charleston and for the next few months occupied Summerville, Branchville,
Orangeburg, and Winnsboro, and returned
to Charleston, where it was mustered out September 30th. Arriving in Detroit,
the regiment was paid off and disbanded, October 17th, 1865."
The following is a complete list of all the Michigan men who
became volunteer soldiers in the Union Armies during the War of the Rebellion
as published in Volume 46, before mentioned:
Co.- Company.
1st C. I.- First Colored Infantry.
U. S. C. C.- United States Colored Cavalry.
U. S. C. H. A.- United States Colored Heavy Artillery.
U. S. C. A.- United States Colored Artillery.
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