in the fight near Port Gibson, on May 1, 1863, where it acquired much distinction, and was mentioned in the report of General McClernand as follows: "The splendid practice of Lamphere's and Foster's batteries disabled two of the enemy's guns, and contributed largely to this success."

The rendezvous of battery H was in Monroe in connection with the 15th infantry, and left that place, under command of Captain Samuel De Gobyer, on the 13th of March, 1862, to report to General Halleck at St. Louis; thence it was ordered to New Madrid, Mo. Served afterwards in Kentucky, West Tennessee, and Northern Mississippi, and took an active part in the Mississippi campaign preceding the siege of Vicksburg.

At Thompson's Hills, Miss., May 1, 1863, it first encountered the rebels, and then at Raymond, May 12th following, where it received much favorable comment on its rapid and effective fire. Greeley, in his "American Conflict," on noticing the battle of Raymond, makes the following mention of the gallant and valuable services rendered by the battery in that affair: "The fight here was a short one. The rebels opened with great fury, attempting to charge and capture De Gobyer's battery, which was in position in our front, but being repulsed by a terrific fire of grape and canister, they broke and fled precipitately."

The following extract from the "Rebellion Record" still further credits the battery for excellent and gallant service on the occasion referred to:

"Shortly after the opening of the fight, Captain De Gobyer's battery (8th Michigan) was ordered to the front, and took a commanding position for the purpose of dislodging the enemy from the woods, the infantry having proven itself inadequate to the task. The James rifled guns of De Gobyer's battery opened, and commenced pouring a heavy fire of shell into the rebel columns. The enemy now, for the first time, opened artillery upon us. His aim was good, succeeding in making our infantry change position. But his purpose was to silence the 8th Michigan battery, and he failed in that. Finding it impossible to silence the guns with artillery, the rebels attempted a charge upon the battery. A regiment of men essayed the hazardous undertaking. While they were removing a fence, preparatory to making the decisive dash, the battery opened on them. Our men fired two shells into their midst, both of which burst among them, killing and wounding a large number, and causing the entire column to fall back in disorder. At their inglorious withdrawal our infantry sent up a few rousing cheers, which had the effect of accelerating the speed of the fugitives, and inspiring our whole command with a new zeal and determination to press forward to a victory of which they felt certain, even when the fortunes of the day seemed to turn against them.

"The rebels, defeated in their attempt to capture our battery, found themselves compelled to fall back to a position immediately in the rear of Farnden's creek."

The battery participated in the fight at "Champion Hills," with loss, and then was actively engaged in the siege of Vicksburg until its surrender, where, on the 28th of May, its gallant commander, Captain De Gobyer, received a wound, which caused his death on the 8th of August following. Battery I, raised and organized in Detroit by Captain J. J. Daniels, left the State with the 5th cavalry on December 4, 1862, for Washington, D. C. On April 27, 1863, Captain Daniels, with his battery, encountered the rebels at Aldie, Va.; then at Gettysburg, during that great battle, where on July 3d it became heavily engaged, losing one killed and four wounded, and acquiring much credit for vigorous and brave fighting. On October 27th following it was ordered to the Department of the Cumberland, arriving at

Nashville on the 12th of November. In April, 1864, it was attached to the 3d division, 20th corps, and afterwards participated in the Georgia campaign, and was in the various engagements of that great undertaking, including the memorable siege of Atlanta.

On the 27th and 28th of June, when under command of Captain L. R. Smith, it fought the enemy at New Hope Church with loss; on the 17th at Lost Mountain, losing some; and at Marietta, on July 13th, again became engaged and lost lightly.

These are some of the most noted fights of this battery, in all of which it behaved with determined courage and perseverance, securing final success in these as well as in all others in which it was engaged.

The next battery (K) went from Grand Rapids, under command of Captain John C. Schultz, arriving at Washington, D. C., March 1, 1863, and served on duty at various forts in that vicinity, until October 28th, when it left Washington for Nashville, Tenn., and was again assigned to garrison duty and service on gunboats and transports on the Cumberland river. A portion of the battery assisted with much spirit and vigor in repelling an attack of the rebel General Wheeler's force on Dalton, Ga., in 1864.

Battery L had its rendezvous at Coldwater, being organized by Captain Charles J. Thompson, in connection with the 9th cavalry, and went to Kentucky in May, 1863. First fought the rebels at Triplett's Bridge, Ky., on June 15th following. A portion of the battery was the first artillery to open on Morgan's forces at Buffington's Island, on July 19th, and gained much notoriety by its rapid and effective fire on that occasion.

The last battery of the regiment (M) left Dearborn, its rendezvous, under command of Captain Edward G. Hillier, and went to Indianapolis in July, 1863, thence in the pursuit of Morgan, then on his raid through Indiana and Ohio. In the latter part of 1863 and in 1864 it served in East Tennessee, and was engaged with the enemy at Blue Springs, October 10th; at Walker's Ford, December 2, 1863; and at Tazewell on January 21, 1864, behaving on every occasion with uniform efficiency.

The 13th battery, commanded by Captain C. H. O'Riordan, left Grand Rapids, where it was recruited, and arrived in Washington on the 7th of February, 1864. During its service it was mostly stationed in the forts around that city, and for a short time was mounted as cavalry for scouting purposes. On the 11th and 12th of July, 1864, under command of Captain Charles Dupont, it assisted in the defence of Fort Stevens against an attack of Early's forces then threatening Washington. On that occasion it proved a serviceable and reliable battery, its fire being used with good effect on the enemy.

On February 1, 1864, the 14th battery moved from Kalamazoo for Washington, under the command of Captain Charles Heine, and garrisoned forts in that vicinity during its entire service. While General Early was seeking to attack Washington it took a creditable and conspicuous part in the action near Forts Stevens and Slocum on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of July, 1864.

THE SHARP-SHOOTERS.

The regiment of Michigan sharp-shooters, organized and commanded by Colonel C. V. De Land, commenced its services in Indiana in 1863, in pursuit of the notorious rebel Morgan, while he was raiding through that State and Ohio, having an encounter with his rear-guard. The regiment was afterwards stationed at Chicago, guarding rebel prisoners, and subse

T

quently joined the 9th army corps at Annapolis, Md., in March, 1864, and with much distinction and gallantry participated in the important battles of that celebrated corps which followed.

In May, 1864, the sharp-shooters belonged to Colonel Christ's 2d brigade, of the 2d division, commanded by General O. B. Wilcox, and commenced their first important engagements with the enemy in the memorable battles of the Wilderness, sustaining a loss of twenty-five in killed, wounded, and missing.

On these occasions they performed commendable service for a new and inexperienced regiment, and in the second day's battle bore an active and distinguished part with their veteran associates; and soon following these battles came that of Spottsylvania, in which it became signally celebrated. On May 9th the 9th corps moved forward in the direction of Spottsylvania, the 3d division in the advance, and before noon encountered the enemy, when the lines were formed, the sharp-shooters, in command of Colonel C. V. De Land, on the left. Immediately the division experienced severe fighting; for a time the line wavered, but advanced quickly, gaining ground all day, and on the 10th, with the corps, crossed the Po river, and went into position on the heights southwest of the river, where its artillery commanded the junction of the two great wagon roads which the rebels had to hold in order to cover Richmond. Heavy skirmishing continued on the 11th, and the height of the fighting was reached on the next day, said to have been acknowledged by the Generals of both armies as one of the bloodiest of the campaign. The rain having continued for two days, the roads had become totally impassable, and it was only by the most persistent and overtasking exertions that the 9th and 2d corps were joined and put in a defensive position. The rebel General, moving on plank and macadamized roads, took quick advantage of this state of affairs to make a tremendous onslaught upon the 9th corps while thus isolated and unsupported, with a swollen and almost impassable river in its rear. General Burnside, not waiting to be attacked, initiated the action, and the fighting commenced at 4 o'clock A. M., the 1st division (Crittenden's) in front, assisted by the 2d division (Potter's) maintained the action until noon, when the 3d division (Wilcox's) was put in, when a most determined and vigorous attack was made by the 1st brigade, under General Hartranft, which drove the rebels into their works and gave the Union troops a most decided advantage, and the division was instantly formed and ordered to assault the main line of works, while, at the same time, as was afterwards ascertained, Anderson's corps of the rebel army had been preparing to charge to dislodge the Union troops.

The Federal line swiftly advanced, with a cheer, to the desperate contest. Answering back came the shrill yell of the rebel hosts, as if in confident defiance. Midway the space between the two lines of battle the two charging columns met, amid the thick smoke of battle, in a dense thicket of pines; the bloody struggle commenced, and almost in an instant after the first shock they became mixed in inextricable confusion, and the charge became a series of furious and unrelenting hand-to-hand encounters. length the superior numbers of the rebels began to force the Union lines to retire; regiment after regiment fell slowly and sullenly back, and the whole left was in retreat. The terrible sacrifice of the troops attest their valor and the magnitude of the struggle.

At

On a little knoll, among the thick spindling pine, where their rifles commanded the country for their full range, rallied two Michigan regimentsthe 1st sharp-shooters, Colonel De Land, and the 27th, Major Moody, while

a little back, in a ravine, was the 14th New York battery, supported by the 2d Michigan infantry. The combat, slowly, sullenly, disastrously rolling down from the left, was bursting upon them, when Colonel Humphrey, of the 2d Michigan, commanding brigade, cool as an iceberg and resolute as fate, said: "Boys, this must be stopped." The leaden hail pattered and whistled with terrific furor, but the little band stood firm. More than once the bold rebels laid their hands on the guns of the battery only to be driven back by well-directed volleys. A cheer arose, the rebels were checked, broken, but not defeated; in incredible short time they had reformed, and again the fearful struggle was renewed. On the right stood the 27th, fighting with unequalled coolness and bravery; everything on the left of the sharp-shooters had been swept away, and the attack on their front and flank, with both infantry and artillery pouring in shot and shell, was terrific; but they gallantly held their ground. On the left of the sharpshooters were a company of civilized Indians, in command of the gallant and lamented young Graveraet, an educated half-breed-as brave a band of warriors as ever struck a war-path; they suffered dreadfully, but never faltered nor moved, sounding the war-whoop with every volley, and their unerring aim quickly taught the rebels they were standing on dangerous ground. The fighting continued on. Near night a rumor runs along the lines that ammunition is gone, and the cry of give them the steel is received with a cheer. The attack has again been repulsed, and the storm lulls; the fight is losing its horrid fury, and with a fearful burst of artillery it sinks into a scattered skirmish, but not until the darkness came did the battle cease. During this fearful and bloody day Col. De Land was twice struck and prostrated by the flying missiles, but badly injured as he was remained faithful to his command. The regiment lost 34 killed, 117 wounded, and 4 missing. Among the killed was Major John Piper, a brave and lamented officer, who, after several years of hard and faithful service, fell by a shot through the brain.

Passing through Grant's great campaign on Richmond with much eredit. and crossing the James river, it arrived with its division in front of Petersburg June 16, 1864, and on the next day, while in command of Major Le vant C. Rhines, became so heavily engaged and so specially distinguished in charging and holding the enemy's works and repelling his repeated assaults to retake them that this bloody battle becomes one of the most prominent events in the history of the regiment.

The position of the regiment being on the extreme left of the corps, and the 5th corps failing to connect the line after the capture of the rebel works, a large gap was left through which the rebels poured their troops, and most severe fighting occurred, the regiment most gallantly repulsing the enemy in two successive and vigorous charges, taking two officers and eighty-six men prisoners, and the colors of the 35th North Carolina, which were captured by Corporal Benj. F. Young, of company I, who was promoted for distinguished gallantry on the occasion. During the engagement the left of the regiment became completely enveloped, and was placed in a position compelling it either to surrender or cut its way through the rebel lines; the last-named resort was determined on, and having first destroyed the national color of the regiment to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, then commenced fighting its way out, and finally succeeded in getting through the rebel lines. The gallant Major Rhines fell in this desperate struggle, together with 31 killed and died of wounds, 46 wounded, and 84 missing. Capt. Thomas H. Gaffney died at Washington, D. C., June 20th, 1864, of wounds received in action before Petersburg June 17th, 1864.

Lieut. Garrett A. Graveraet died at Washington, D. C., July 10, 1864, of wounds received in action before Petersburg June 17, 1864.

Capt. George C. Knight and Lieut. Martin Wager killed before Petersburg; the former in action June 17th, and the latter in the trenches June 23d, 1864.

On the 30th of July the regiment led its brigade in the charge on the rebel works contiguous to the fort which was blown up by the "mine," and aided in carrying the works, taking about fifty prisoners. The rebels having finally succeeded in retaking the works it was obliged to retire, with a loss of three killed, twelve wounded, and thirty-three missing. The regi ment remained in front of Petersburg until the 19th of August, when it was ordered to move to the Weldon railroad. Soon after its arrival it assisted in retaking a line of works from which our forces had been driven. Its loss in this affair was one killed and two wounded. Until the 28th of September the regiment was here engaged in the erection of fortifications. On the 30th of September it participated in the battle near Peebles' House, with a loss of three wounded and sixteen missing. The casualties of the regiment while in the trenches in front of Petersburg were twenty-seven killed and died of wounds and six wounded. On the 27th of October the regiment took part in the movement toward the South-Side Railroad, and was engaged during the day in skirmishing with the enemy, losing five men wounded.

On April 2d, 1865, the regiment, while in command of Lieut. Col. W. A. Nichols and in the brigade of Col. Ralph Ely, again most signally acquired a very enviable notoriety and great credit for a most daring and brilliant achievement while making a demonstration in front of Petersburg, on the left of the enemy's works, for the purpose of drawing troops from his right while our forces were attacking him at other points. After making two efforts, under a very severe fire of musketry and artillery, the regiment succeeded in getting hold on his works to the extent of its regimental front, which it held for an hour under a terrific fire. The object of the attack having been attained it was ordered back to its former position, having suffered a heavy loss. On the next day, about 4 A. M., it was again ordered to advance, under the supposition that the enemy was withdrawing. On moving forward and finding that he had evacuated his works, it pushed on and was the first regiment to enter Petersburg, and, while Col. Ely was receiving the surrender of the city, raised the first national flag on the courthouse of that rebel stronghold.

The capture of Petersburg was long and anxiously looked for, as leading to the immediate possession of Richmond by the Union forces. It was finally accomplished, the rebel army fled, and Richmond fell. Michigan troops were prominently instrumental in bringing about the result. Colonel Ely's brigade of Michigan regiments, belonging to Wilcox's division, (1st,) 9th corps, were, as previously stated, the first to enter the city and place their colors on the public buildings, raising one flag on the court-house and another on the custom-house; Colonel Ely himself receiving the surrender of the city from the authorities.

Gen. Wilcox, in the following report of the operations of his division in that affair, says:

"I have the honor to report the operations of this division in the field from the 29th of March to the 9th of April, 1865, inclusive.

"On the night of the 29th of March, at half-past 10 o'clock, the enemy opened on my lines, stretching from above Fort Morton to the Appomattox, with all their artillery of every description and some musketry from their