Fellow Sharpshooters

Many years ago (before university and state historical libraries digitalized and posted their collections online), I drove down to Lansing to do research at the State’s Historical Archives and Library. HAL is the repository for the State’s infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooter records; and my goal was to locate the records of 552 Michigan volunteers that served in companies C, I, & K (1st regiment), and B (2nd regiment) of the United States Sharp Shooters.

After a four hour drive, I took the elevator up to the second floor and arrived at the reception desk. Before admission, I read a list of “do’s and don’ts” then signed in. No cameras or ink pens allowed, and my backpack had to be stored in a locker. I got photographed for a researcher ID and finally entered the Archives. As I opened the door, my heart was racing. I was finally going to be able to handle and read the original muster records and associated documents. As I signed for the files I noticed Wiley Sword’s signature from 10 years earlier; I was in good company.

I realized I had only 6 hours before the archives closed and asked one of the assistants if the document photocopier was available so I could copy the Company muster in/out rolls. They shook their head and informed me it had been broken for some time. He also said that due to their fragile condition, management had made them “off-limits” for copying. The assistant guided me to a collection of books and handed me Volume 44. He explained that after the Civil War, the Michigan legislature and the Adjutant General authorized the publication of all the Volunteers that had served from 1861-1865. These became the famous Michigan “Brown Books”, and Volume 44 contained all of the names of men that served in U.S and State sharpshooter companies.

Among the Company K and B files I discovered a printed form from the Michigan Adjutant General’s Office (the form text is bold type, and Lt. Thomas Humphrey’s response is italics). Here is what it contained:

Headquarters First Regiment , USSS
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps
Army Potomac, December 17, 1864.

To the Adjutant General
State of Michigan
Detroit

Sir-

I have the honor respectively to forward to you the following statement of casualties and alterations occurring in this regiment from November 1, 1863, to November 1, 1864, also it’s history during that period, together with the list of commissioned officers now in, And who have been in the regiment, and also of enlisted men of the regiment who have been commissioned as officers in it, and in other regiment, since it’s organization

Casualties and alterations

Number died in action or wounds: (6)
do do of disease: (0)
do discharge for disability: (3)
do do by order, etc.: (7)
do transferred to veteran reserve: (1)
do deserted: (0)
do wounded in action: (13)
do missing an action: (0)
do taken prisoners: (2)
do joined the company: (3)
do reenlisted as veterans: (3)
do discharge at expiration of service: (3)
do transferred from company: C 1st USSS (26)

History of the Regiment : Company ‘K’ 1st USSS
This company together with the command to which it was attached (3rd brigade, 1st division 3rd AC) and March from Catlett station to Bealeton on or about the first day of November 1863. At which place they camped until the seventh of the same month when the army advanced across the Rappahannock river , this company were deployed as skirmishers with the rest of the regiment and attack the enemy in his fortifications at Kelly Ford.

Driving in the enemies pickets, they succeeded in crossing the river under a galling fire from the rebels and completely routed the enemy, killing and wounding a large number, and capturing more than their own number in prisoners. On the day following November 8 the whole command Marched to Brandy Station at which place the army went into winter quarters where they remained until November 26, when the army made another forward movement across the Rapidan River. At dusk of the day of breaking camp, this company bivouacked with the rest of the command on the South bank of the Rapidan river for the night. On the next day, November 27, the enemy were found in considerable force at Locust Grove and a fierce battle was fought. This company taking an active part Lieutenant Thomas Connington, commanding the company, was killed also one enlisted man, and four enlisted men wounded. That night the enemy moved off, leaving the field in our possession. November 28 the company March to Mine Run with the regiment at which place they went on Pickett in front of the enemies fortification December 1, 1863. This company formed a part of a skirmish line which attacked the enemies pickets driving them back to their works. A number of prisoners were taken by this company in the engagement, but were fortunate in their losing no man were killed wounded or prisoner after driving the rebels to their works they fell back 1/2 mile and formed a new picket line where they remained on Pickett until next day where they were relieved. About 9:00 PM of the same day this company started with its command and marched all night, reaching the Rapidan River the next morning which was crossed over on pontoons

In the spring of 1864 a general reorganization of the army was affected and this company with its entire regiment were transferred to the 2nd brigade 3rd division 2nd AC army.
May 3. This company marched with the regiment with the army and again cross the Rapidan River. On the third day of May, they were engaged with the enemy in the battle of the Wilderness, having One man mortally wounded. The sixth and seventh they also participated in the fighting of that battle losing two others killed. The company participated in the marches and battles from that time up to the time the army arrived in front of Petersburg, being under fire 21 successive days from the time of the first fighting in the Wilderness up to the battle of Hare farm in front of Petersburg on 18 June 1864. The company lost 11 killed and wounded. On 20 June they marched about 3 miles to the left and were engaged with the enemy near the Jerusalem plank Road. After establishing a line at this place, they lay behind the breastworks doing picket duty and sharp shooting along different parts of the line until about the middle of July, when they were moved and go into camp near the front line of fortifications in front of Petersburg, where they remain for a few days relieved from the duty of the front lines. On 26 July they received marching orders and they marched out with 3rd division to Deep Run, distance of 18 miles where they cross the James River on pontoons. After crossing assisted in throwing up a line of fortifications. On the night of the 28th, they moved back to the front of Petersburg and go into camp where they remain until August 12 and with the Division March to City Point, arriving on the bank of the James at dark. They remained there until afternoon the next day when they go back where they go aboard a transport and sail up the river to Deep Bottom, August 14 the army to embark and the on the south bank and March about 3 miles when this company was deployed as skirmishers and advance soon meeting the enemy they drive the rebels about 2 miles and get possession of Charles city crossroads on the day following they are again, Hotly engaged in which engagement Lieutenant Tyler Commanding the company is severely wounded, also one enlisted man wounded. After this battle they returned to their old positions in front of Petersburg, where they do a great deal of a duty and fatigue working on the fortifications. Again on 1 October, they are on the move. March about 6 miles to the left of Ninth Corps fortification and bivouac for the night in a very cold rain Storm. Next day this company are on the skirmish line. They find the enemy fortified but drive them to their second line of fortifications, lose one man severely wounded. From this time until November 1, 1864, this company have been moving about from one place to another, having no regular camp. They participate in the battle of Hatchers Run on October 27, after which they are stationed in Fort Davis in front of Petersburg.

Signed, Thomas B Humphrey, First Lieutenant, Commanding Company


The Petersburg Project Blog features an extensive post and contemporary photographs of Fort Davis, that was the engineering project of Gen. Govenor K. Warren, of Little Round Top fame. Here is the link: http://www.petersburgproject.org/fort-davis--battery-xxii.html

The Archives of Michigan is located on the 2nd floor of the Michigan Library and Historical Center: 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915. https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/archives


Bill Skillman
Berdan Sharpshooters Survivors Association