of the ladies, by Henry A. Morrow and D. Bethune Duffield, Esq., to which Colonel Willcox replied in a speech full of genuine patriotism. "Let the flag of our country float proudly on high, And its stars shed their lustre around; Till not a cloud of secession be seen on the sky, The call for troops had not been long expected and came suddenly, consequently the regiment was from this circumstance hurriedly organized and hastily equipped, but it took the field in advance of the time designated by the government when its services would be required. In its equipment, which was complete, it was determined that it should leave the State for the field in a condition to move immediately to the front, ready to go into action at once, if necessary, the example of neighboring States not being followed, where their regiments were hastily pushed off without uniform or equipments, and in consequence, were detained at points on the way to await the necessary equipment to enable them to take the field in a serviceable condition, accounting to some extent for the Michigan regiment being the first to reach Washington from a Western State. In fact it may be a question whether or not the splendid condition of this regiment when it left the State, did not, to some extent at least, contribute to the high standard of Michigan troops in their appearance and equipment throughout the war; at least the encomiums it received from all quarters on its way to the front, especially from the western regiments at Harrisburg awaiting equipment, was a source of much gratification to those who had aided in its equipment and nerved them for a like course regarding Michigan troops in general. It is well established that the Michigan troops in passing through cities of neighboring states attracted the attention and received the praise of the people and of the public press, at the same time very unfavorable notices of their own troops in a comparison with those of Michigan. As an example, the following articles from papers are inserted: The Cleveland Plaindealer says of the First Regiment: "A great many of our citizens visited them and expressed admiration of the men and the very admirable mauner in which they had been armed and equipped for service by their State. The comparison between the action of Michigan and that of Ohio was not at all flattering." The Baltimore American said: "The Michigan Regiment attracted general attention and commendation by their solid appearance and well disciplined movements, a la Hardee. It was composed almost entirely of young, steady and intelligent looking men, and it appeared to be capitally officered. They were exceedingly well equipped, thanks to the liberality of the State of Michigan, which had furnished them with an entire outfit from head to foot, and were armed with new Minie guns. "The Pennsylvanians were armed with the old percussion lock musket." * A correspondent of the N. Y. Post writing from Washington under the date of May 17th, says: "The Michigan Rifle Regiment came into town about 10 o'clock last night, marching from the depot up the Avenue to Eleventh street. They were preceded by a splendid band of music, which soon aroused our citizens, and long before they had reached the quarters assigned them hundreds of people were out to give them welcome. The enthusiasm of the crowd was irrepressible, for this was the first western regiment which had arrived at the Capital." The regiment reached Washington at a critical time, when confederate troops flaunted their flag on Arlington Heights, claiming defiantly equality with the old banner of freedom floating from the National Capitol, when rebel pickets patrolled the banks of the Potomac and bivouacked under the old trees that shade the grave of Washington. Being the first western regiment to reach Washington, its presence gave much encouragement to those in authority, and aided much in establishing confidence regarding the safety of the Capital, while the cheers of the loyal thousands greeted them as American patriots, and as friends in a time of great need. President Lincoln received them amid an immense and interested concourse of people, and while he praised them for soldier-like appearance, he complimented the State for patriotism and through them thanked it for so prompt a response. Willcox soon after led the advance of the Union forces into Virginia, crossing Long Bridge, driving in the rebel pickets, entering and taking possession of Alexandria on the 24th of May, while Ellsworth with his New York Zouaves entered it about the same time by steamer. The regiment captured a troop of rebel cavalry numbering about one hundred and fifty, with their horses and equipments, and at once took possession of the railroad depot. It was assigned to Heintzelman's division, and at the battle of Bull Run was in command of Major Bidwell, and serving in the brigade of Colonel Willcox. It became hotly engaged early in the battle, pressing the enemy with great gallantry, fighting bravely and stubbornly, but losing heavily, both in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The gallant charge of the Fire Zouaves upon one of the heaviest of the rebel batteries was without avail, and they were compelled to fall back. The First Michigan then advanced and promptly took their places, charging in double quick upon the battery once and again in splendid style but without success. A third time they pushed forward but were again driven back by the terrific fire of the enemy, again the attack was renewed, the brave men rallying for the fourth time to their deadly work, but the battery could not be taken, and they retired under a severe fire, losing five killed and died of wounds, six wounded, thirty-two missing and fifty-two taken prisoners, among whom were Captain Butterworth, Lieutenants Mauch and Casey, who died in prison from wounds, and including Colonel Willcox, who was wounded and held as a prisoner of war until August 17, 1862, when he was exchanged. Following is the report of Gen. Willcox, dated at Detroit, September 3d, 1862, and addressed to the Adjutant-General of the army at Washington: "My brigade, the 2d of Heintzelman's division, marching in rear of Franklin's brigade, arrived at the Sudley Ford at about half past 12 P. M., July 21, 1861. The brigade now consisted of the First Michigan, 11th New York (Fire Zouaves), 38th New York, and Arnold's battery. The 4th Michigan had been left at Fairfax Station and Fairfax Court-house by the order of Gen. McDowell. Halting for rest and water, I obeyed the general's orders to post Arnold's battery on a hill commanding the ford, with the First Michigan for support, and at 1 o'clock pushed forward with my two remaining regiments up the Sudley and Brentville road. We marched about two miles and came up on the right of what I suppose to have been Franklin's line, near the junction of the Warrenton and Sudley roads. The troops on our left were engaged in a desultory fire with the enemy, posted in the thicket and ravine across the Warrenton road, not far from the Henry House. The 28th New York was quickly formed in order of battle, and the Zouaves were hastening into line, when I received an order to detach a regiment for the support of Ricketts' battery (of Franklin's brigade), posted on a hill a quarter of a mile to our right and front, near Dogan House. I led up the Zouaves for this important service, leaving the 38th under its gallant and experienced Col. Hobart Ward. Ricketts was soon ordered to take a new position near the Henry House. The Zouaves followed in support, and finally formed line on the right flank of the battery, with two companies in reserve. "Up to this time the enemy had fallen back, but now he formed the remains of his brigades engaged with Hunter in the morning, viz.: Bee's, Bartow's, and Evans', in a new line, appuyed upon Jackson's brigade of fresh troops, making altogether 6,500 infantry, 13 pieces of artillery, and Stuart's cavalry, according to Gen. Beauregard's report. This force was posted in the belt of woods which skirted the plateau southwardly and lying in the angle formed in that direction between the Warrenton and Sudley roads, about a mile from the Warrenton road, and with its left resting on the Brentsville and Sudley roads. Ricketts' battery had crossed the Sudley road from its post near Dogan's House, and was within musket range of the woods which stretched from that road around from his right towards his front, and forming a pocket which almost enveloped the battery with its support. "The enemy were first discovered by Col. Heintzelman lining the woods in our front. He ordered up the Zouaves, commanded by Col. Farnham. The ground was slightly rising before us, and the enemy opened a heavy but not destructive fire as we reached the crest. The Zouaves returned the fire, but immediately fell back, bewildered and broken. Stuart's cavalry charged upon them from the woods on the right, but were scattered by a fire from the two reserve companies, with a loss (as ascertained from the Southern papers) of twenty-nine killed and wounded. "Meantime Ricketts' cannoneers were being picked off. With Col. Heintzelman's approval and a promise of reinforcements, I collected some one hundred Zouaves, and, with Capt. Douney and others of their officers, made a dash into the woods on our right, and killed, wounded, and captured about thirty of the enemy. Returning in a few minutes, I found the field cleared of both friend and foe except the killed and wounded. "The horses, men, and two officers of Ricketts' battery lay stretched upon the ground, but the enemy had not yet seized it. "Recrossing the Sudley road, I met the First Michigan, Major Bidwell commanding, and marching back with this regiment we found the enemy now drawn up in a thin line across the field and in possession of the battery; advancing to the fence on the roadside the First Michigan opened fire, the right wing fell back to reload, owing to a blundering order, but the left stood firm, expelled the enemy, and retook the battery. The troops here opposed to us I believe to have been the Seventh Georgia. "Colonel Heintzelman now came up and ordered us promptly forward, and with the promise of another regiment it was my design to turn the enemy's left. The left wing of the 1st Michigan recrossed the field, struck into the woods beyond the Zouaves, and succeeded in destroying and capturing a small number of the enemy and pushing back his extreme left out of that part or point of the woods adjacent to the Sudley road. "Meantime the right wing of the 1st Michigan reformed and advanced in good order. I met it and we pushed on toward the next point of woods. From this point I found the enemy's left discovered us by our fire and we became engaged with their rear rank, their front being occupied by the advancing troops of Franklin's or Sherman's brigade. The officers and men of the 1st Michigan stood up bravely at this critical moment, holding on anxiously for reinforcements. But from all I can learn, the 38th, which was ordered up to me, were directed to the left of the Henry House (instead of to the right and along the Sudley road), came in contact with the enemy's centre and never reached me. "It was now nearly four o'clock. General Beauregard had been gathering new reinforcements; General Kirby Smith had joined him with a portion of Johnston's army. Our scattered troops were contending in fractions against the enemy's army in position and massed on the plateau, with his artillery sweeping every approach. Gen. Johnston was bringing fresh troops to turn our right. The 28th Virginia attacked my own handful from the rear in the woods, and I had the ill fortune to be wounded and a few moments afterward captured. But I was spared witnessing the disaster which further pursued our arms. "In this report I have only endeavored to supply partly the information that was not known or found in any other report in consequence of my capture. Permit me to add further, that the 38th New York was distinguished for its steadiness in ranks, and for gallantly repelling a charge made upon it by the New Orleans Tigers.' The Zouaves, though broken as a regiment, did good service under my own eyes in the woods, and detachments of them joined various other regiments in the fight. The 1st Michigan deserves the credit of advancing farther into the enemy's lines than any other of our troops, as their dead bodies proved after the battle. I only regret that from the fact of my separation from Arnold's battery, I cannot add any testimony of my own to the well known gallantry with which he and his command conducted themselves." A survey of the field after the battle discovered the fact that the Michigan dead were found nearest the enemy's works. The regiment returned to the State on the expiration of its term of service and was mustered out of service August 7, 1861, having lost only four by disease. Notwithstanding the services of this regiment were short, it established even on this disastrous field a standard which was a noble example for Michigan troops, and which a review of the record of Michigan regiments will attest has been uniformly followed. The enrollment of this regiment was 798 officers and men, its losses nine, of which three officers died of wounds, three men killed in action, and three died of disease. "Tis over-thy last pulse has fluttered; Thou'rt glorious now-thou'rt secure; NOTE. While a captain of the 1st Michigan was out with a small scouting party near Alexandria, soon after the regiment reached Washington and before the battle of Bull Run, he was desirous of carrying out the custom then in vogue of administering to captured rebels the oath of allegiance and letting them go, coming suddenly on a few rebels, made them get down on their knees, then he administered to them the common oath of allegiance to the United States of America, and not forgetting his own State, added, and particularly the State of Michigan, then let them go. Advancing a little farther the party started up a good sized snake. One of them, an Irishman, captured it; the captain asked what he was going to do with it? "Do wid him?" said Pat, "Obey the orders; swear him and let him go, begorrah!" FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. "The combat deepens, on, ye braves, Wave, Michigan! all thy banners wave, And charge with all thy chivalry! The reorganization of the First Regiment for three years commenced on June 28th, 1861, and prior to the return of the three months regiment to the State. Lieut. Colonel Loren L. Comstock was designated by the Governor to superintend its recruitment, with sufficient officers from the regiment in the field to assist in accomplishing the purpose. The rendezvous was at Ann Arbor, to which point all recruits were forwarded by detachments. The regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at various dates with a strength of 960 officers and men, in command of Colonel John C. Robinson, then a captain in the U. S. army, leaving the State for the field in Virginia on the 16th of that month, with the exception of two detachments, which soon after followed. FIELD AND STAFF. John C. Robinson, Colonel, Captain U. S. army. Horace S. Roberts, Lieutenant Colonel, Detroit. Franklin W. Whittlesey. Major, Ypsilanti. Joseph Tunnicliff, jr., Surgeon, Jackson. Assistant Surgeon, Andrew J. Hobart, Niles. Edward H. King, Adjutant, Jackson. David A. Wise, Quartermaster, Ypsilanti. Arthur Edwards, jr., Trenton, Chaplain. "A." Captain, Russell H. Alcott, Manchester. First Lieutenant, Henry C. Christiancy, Monroe. Second Lieutenant, Irving F. Wilcox, Twinsburg, Ohio. "B." Captain, Ira C. Abbott, Burr Oak. First Lieutenant, Samuel E. Pittman, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, William Byrns, Burr Oak, "C." Captain, George P. Sanford, Ann Arbor. First Lieutenant, Lyford Peavey, Marshall. Second Lieutenant, Perry L. Hubbard, Pontiac. "D." Captain, Eben B. Griffith, Jackson. First Lieutenant, Eben T. Whittlesey, Ypsilanti. Second Lieutenant, J. Benton Kennedy, Jackson. "E." Captain, First Lieutenant, George H. Eggleston, Cold water. Second Lieutenant, Oliver C. Comstock, Marshall. "F." Captain, William A. Throop, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Emory W. Belton, Chelsea. Second Lieutenant, Wilkins Bloodgood, Detroit. "G." Captain, G. Collins Lyon, Jackson. First Lieutenant, Edward Pomeroy, Jackson. Second Lieutenant, Philander C. Perry, Ann Arbor. "H." Captain, Charles E. Wendell, Detroit. First Lieutenant, George C. Hopper, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, Alfred W. Beardslee, Detroit. "I." Captain, George W. Grummond, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Hiram S. Warner, Marshall. Second Lieutenant, Edward D. Judd, Saline. "K." Captain, Byron B. Adsit, Sault Ste. Marie. First Lieutenant, George C. Mogk, Ann Arbor. Second Lieutenant, Henry C. Arnold, Ann Arbor. |