11th Regiment Michigan Infantry

11th
Regiment Michigan
Volunteer Infantry

1861-1864

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"Regimental Roster"
Includes (11th Re-organized Infantry )
The Eleventh was recruited at White Pigeon, the several companies being mustered into United States service at different dates, but the organization was completed Sept.24, 1861, with an enrollment of 1000 officers and men.

The Regiment left its rendezvous Dec. 9, 1861 for Kentucky, and remained during the winter at Bardstown. During the spring of 1862 the Eleventh was occupied in guarding the Nashville and Louisville railroad, then in July made a series of long marches in pursuit of the Confederate raider John Morgan, being a part of the force that defeated Morgan at Gallatin, Tenn., on the 13th of August. Upon its return to Nashville, it was assigned to Negley's Division rendering valuable assistance in fortifying that city so it was impregnable to the attack of the opposing forces. Colonel May resigned April 1, 1862, with Lieutenant Colonel Stoughton being commissioned Colonel on that same date. The Regiment under his command was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division of the 14th Corp.

The Eleventh participated in the advance upon Murfreesboro and was in the fiercest fighting at Stone River. Negley's Division, the Second, was in the center of the Union line which was stoutly assailed by the Confederates in such overwhelming numbers as to force it back toward Murfreesboro Pike. The Eleventh fought gallantly with the many casualties of the Regiment attesting to the severity of the contest. The Eleventh was one of the first Regiments to cross Stone River, and was among the troops that captured a Confederate battery which had been abandoned when the Confederates were driven from the field. During January, 1863, the Eleventh was detached from its Division then placed on provost duty at Murfreesboro, remaining there until the following June, when the advance was made upon Tullahoma.

In September the Eleventh left its camp at Dechard, Tenn., making a toilsome march over the mountains and reaching the battle of Chickamauga ,in time to participate in two days of the fiercest fighting of the war. The Regiment was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mudge during the battle as Colonel Stoughton was then in command of the Second Brigade. Colonel Stoughton, after the battle of Chickamauga, withdrew his Brigade to Rossville by command of General Thomas, holding that position until the Union army had passed to Chattanooga, then on the morning of the 22nd returned to Chattanooga, being one of the last of the Union Troops to leave the field. The Eleventh was in the Second Brigade commanded by General Stoughton November 25, 1863, when the famous charge was made by General Grant's troops up the steep and difficult side of Missionary Ridge. The Eleventh sprang up the almost impassable barrier, with the Confederates on the crest of the ridge pouring a murderous fire of musketry and artillery into the faces of the Union troops, but step by step, clinging to the trees and shrubs, to help them in their advance, they finally reached the summit, driving the Confederates in confusion down the other side of the mountain. The Eleventh was one of the first regiments to gain the crest of the ridge. Major Benjamin G. Bennett led the Regiment, but was killed before reaching the crest, when Captain P.H. Keegan assumed command. The Regiment suffered severely in this charge.

The following May the Regiment entered upon the Georgia Campaign with the army under the command of General Sherman, fighting its way steadily to the Chattahoochee River, which it crossed July 17th, then took part in the Seige of Atlanta. A few miles from Marietta, Ga., the Confederates had entrenched and the Eleventh charged the Cofederate works, but met with considerable loss, including Colonel Stoughton, who was so seriously wounded in the leg as to cause amputation. While in front of Atlanta, the Eleventh was in a number of charges, losing many in killed and wounded.

The term of service for which the Regiment enlisted, expired while in the trenches before Atlanta, so the Regiment was sent back to Chattanooga, then from there to Sturgis, Mich., where it was mustered out of service on Sept.30, 1864.

During their term of Federal service, they were engaged at:

Gallantin,Tn.Fort Riley,Tn.Stone River,Tn.
Elk River,Tn.Davis Cross Rds,Tn.Chickamauga,Ga.
Mission Ridge,Tn.Graysville,Ga.Buzzards's Roost,Ga.
Resaca,Ga.New Hope Church,Ga. Kenesaw Mountain,Ga.
Rough's Sta.,Ga. Peach Tree Creek,Ga.Seige of Atlanta

ORGANIZATION

Organized at White Pigeon, Mich., and mustered in September 24, 1861.
Left State for Bardstown, Ky. December 9, and duty there till March, 1862.
Attached to Railroad Guard, Unattached, Dept. of the Ohio to September, 1862.
29th Brigade, 8th Division, Army of the Ohio to November, 1862.
2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Center 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland to January, 1863.
2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland to October, 1863
2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps to September, 1864.
1862-1864
Total Enrollment1323
Killed in Action61
Died of Wounds31
Died in Confederate Prisons9
Died of Disease178
Discharged from Wounds265
Total Casualty Rate41.1%

11th
Regiment Michigan
Volunteer Infantry
(Re-Organized)

When the enlistment terms of the original members expired many of the men re-enlisted. The men who returned home were replaced by new recruits into the Re-organized 11th and was mustered into U.S. service at Jackson, Michigan on March 16, 1865.

Two days later, under the command of Patrick H. Keegan the Re- Organized 11th proceded to Nashville, Tennesseeand in early April were ordered to the Military District commanded by General Steedman at Chattanooga where they were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of the Army of the Cumberland.

Advancing into Eastern Tennesse various Companies were assigned to protect strategic points along the Chattanooga and Knoxville Railroad and the rest were stationed in Cleveland, Tennessee to respond to any threats that may present the Railroad.

After 60 days in Eastern Tennessee they were ordered to Knoxville, thence to Nashville where they were mustered out of the service on September 16, 1865. They then proceeded to Jackson, Michigan where they were paid off and discharged on August 23, 1865.

ORGANIZATION

Organized at Jackson, Mich., January 4 to February 26, 1865.
Four Companies left State for Nashville, Tenn., March 4, 1865, and duty there until April 1, then ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn.
Six Companies left State for Chattanooga, Tenn., April 1.
Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Separate Division, District of the Etowah, Dept. of the Cumberland to July, 1865.
2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland to September, 1865.
Regiment moved to East Tennessee April 23, 1865, and duty guarding Chattanooga & Knoxville Railroad with Headquarters at Cleveland, Tenn. until July. Moved to Knoxville and duty there till August 3.
Moved to Nashville, Tenn., August 3 and mustered out September 16, 1865.

1865
Total Enrollment1140
Died of Disease50
Discharged for Disability9
Total Attrition Rate05%
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