at Blue Springs, where its loss was one wounded. On the 20th it arrived again at Knoxville, whence it moved via Loudon to Lenoir, and on November 8th commenced building winter quarters.

In the meantime the rebels, under General Longstreet, had commenced their advance on Knoxville, and the 2d, in command of Major Byington, Colonel Humphrey being in command of the brigade, was again ordered into the field to assist in checking them. On the 17th it fell back with the army toward Knoxville, and was engaged at Loudon November 14th, at Lenoir Station on the 15th, and especially at Campbell's Station on the 16th, where a sharp action took place, the regiment losing 31 killed, wounded, and missing. On the 17th it fell back with the army to Knoxville, brisk skirmishing being kept up with the enemy during the movement.

The regiment actively assisted in the defense of Knoxville until the 4th of December, when the enemy withdrew. The hardships and privations of the siege were very great, the men suffering especially from want of sufficient food and clothing. November 24th the regiment charged the enemy's works with a loss in casualties of 86.

Among the killed were Adjutant Noble and Lieutenant Galpin, and among the mortally wounded were Major Byington and Lieutenant Zoellner.

The regiment is mentioned in connection with the operations at Knoxville on the 24th, in the "Rebellion Record," as follows:

"November 24th.-Skirmishing commenced early and briskly on our left front this morning. The rebels had gained a hill and thrown up rifle-pits near the round-house during the night. The 48th Pennsylvania and 21st Massachusetts, during the morning, charged the pits and, driving the rebels out at the point of the bayonet, covered the trenches and returned to their own, with a loss of two killed and four wounded. On our left, for some hours, the fire of the sharp-shooters was quite hot from a house above the rebel trenches. The 2d Michigan charged there, also, in the most gallant manner, and drove the rebels back. A fierce and bloody engagement ensued, with great loss on both sides, our boys remaining in possession of the works, which they obliterated and fell back."

From the New York Tribune:

"About 8 o'clock A. M., November 24th, General Ferrero, acting under orders, sent forward the 2d Michigan to charge the enemy's rifle-pits and drive them out. The regiment was sustained by our batteries as long as it was safe to fire over the heads of our men. They went down the long slope, over the fallen trees, and through the debris in front, upon the double quick, attacking, driving out the rebels from their pits and occupying them for about half an hour, fighting hand to hand with the rebels over the impalement. They met, however, a whole brigade, and being overpowered sent back for reinforcements. Meantime Adjutant Noble and Lieutenant Galpin were killed, and Major Byington was badly wounded, Lieutenant Zoellner mortally, besides a large number of men. The Major, seeing that the effort to hold the place was fruitless, ordered his men to retire. He was immediately made a prisoner."

Knoxville being closely besieged by Longstreet, Lossing says:

"Such was the situation of affairs when, at 11 o'clock on Saturday night (November 28th), the air cold and raw, the sky black with clouds, and the darkness thick, Longstreet proceeded to attack Fort Saunders.

"All that was done by Longstreet on the night of the attack was to drive in the National advance and seize and hold the rifle-pits. Just after 6 o'clock the next morning he opened a furious cannonade from his batteries in advance of Armstrong's. This was answered by Roemer's battery, on College Hill, and was soon answered by a tremendous yell from the Confederates as they rushed forward at the double quick to storm the fort.

"The charging party moved swiftly forward to the abatis, which somewhat confused their line. The wire netting was a worse obstacle, and whole companies were prostrated by it. While they were thus bewildered, the double-shotted guns of General Ferrero,

the skillful commander of the fort, were playing fearfully on the Confederates, under the direction of Benjamin (Burnside's chief of artillery).

"The assailants pressed on, gained the ditch, and attempted to scale the parapet. One officer (Colonel McElroy) actually gained the summit and planted the flag of the 13th Mississippi there, but a moment afterward his body, pierced by a dozen bullets, rolled, with his flag, into the ditch, which Benjamin's guns in the salient swept with a murderous enfilading fire. That hero actually took shells in his hand, ignited the fuses, and threw them over into the ditch with terrible effect. The storm was too heavy for the assailants there, and about three hundred of them surrendered. Then the assault ceased. Fort Saunders was saved, and with it, without doubt, Knoxville, and possibly Burnside's army.

"Longstreet, finding his flank turned by an overwhelming force of adversaries near, raised the siege and retreated toward Russellville in the direction of Virginia, pursued by Burnside's forces.

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Longstreet had promised his soldiers that they should dine in Knoxville that day; but they were otherwise engaged in burying their dead outside of its defenses, by permission of General Burnside, who lent them ambulances to remove the bodies of their comrades within the Confederate lines."

A portion of a picket line in front of Fort Saunders was made up of details from the 2d Michigan, in command of Captain Charles H. Hodskin, and on falling back took possession of the ditch in front of the fort, a portion of which they continued to hold until the rebel forces were driven from the attack.

Four companies of the 2d Michigan, A, H, G, and F, in command of Captain Emil Moores, occupied a short rifle-pit adjoining the left rampart of Fort Saunders, being on that side of the fort not fronting the enemy, but on the side toward Knoxville, and was not enclosed by a wall or rampart, and when the main attack was made these companies moved inside the fort and defended a portion of the principal work.

The other six companies, K, B, I, E, C, and D, in command of Captain J. V. Ruehle, Jr., were in the rifle-pit, extending from the right rampart of the fort, the 20th Michigan being between them and the fort.

GENERAL ORDER,

No. 72.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Knoxville, December 1st, 1863.

The commanding general desires particularly to congratulate the officers and soldiers composing the garrison of Fort Saunders on their gallant conduct during the assault on that work on the morning of the 29th inst. To Benjamin's battery, with such portions of Buckley's and Roemer's as were with them in the fort, the 79th Regiment of New York Volunteers, the 2d Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and a detachment of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteers, is due the credit of repulsing a picked column of the enemy, killing, wounding, and taking prisoners therefrom treble their own number, beside capturing three stand of colors.

To all the officers and soldiers of the corps too much praise cannot be awarded for the heroism, patience, and valor displayed by them on all occasions for the last three weeks. Whenever you have met the enemy in battle or skirmish you have shown your superiority. The enemy can no longer afford to remain inactive. Already large forces are pressing forward to our relief from different points. Should he hazard an attack on our lines before retreating, he will find that his reception at Fort Saunders was a foretaste of what he will receive at every point of our works.

By command of Brigadier General R. B. Potter.

NICHOLAS BROWN, A. A. G.

The extreme suffering from cold and hunger of Burnside's army at Knoxville was without a parallel in the whole war. Following is a memorandum of an inspection of one brigade, which unquestionably represented the condition of Burnside's entire army at that time:

Jackson, December 2d, 1879.

General John Robertson, Adjutant General, Lansing, Michigan: DEAR SIR: I do not yet find the orders concerning the naming of the forts about Knoxville, Tennessee, but to-day I find a memorandum of an inspection of the brigade, of which I was temporarily in command on the 4th of January, 1864, while we were in camp at Blain's Cross-Roads, East Tennessee. The memorandum is confined to the condition of the men as to requisite clothing for winter wear, but we were as short of all other classes of supplies as of clothing, and for the same reason, viz.: no communication with our base of supplies. The numbers in the several columns show the number of men in the several regiments destitute of clothing as per the "headings":

December 8th the regiment marched, in command of Captain J. V. Ruehle, to Rutledge, and on the 15th met the enemy at Thurley's Ford, and thence on the 16th to Blain's Cross Roads, where it remained until the middle of January, 1864. At this place 198 of the regiment reënlisted as Veteran Volunteers. From Blain's Cross Roads it proceeded to Strawberry Plains and Knoxville, thence to Erie Station, where it encamped until February 4th. Here it received orders to report at Detroit, and arrived there on the 24th, the returning veterans being furloughed for thirty days.

Anticipating their return to the State, their old commander, Colonel Poe, who had been Chief Engineer during the seige of Knoxville, wrote a friend in Detroit a letter, of which the following is an extract. Coming from one so capable of judging, it unquestionably estimates correctly the bravery and valuable services of the regiment, while it breathes the true feelings of his heart for those he had commanded in so many hard fought fields, and whom he loved 80 well:

"On the 24th November, 1863, the Second Michigan with 150 men, charged the enemy's rifle-pits. The Major lost his leg and was mortally wounded through the hips; Adjutant Noble and Lieut. Galpin were killed; six Sergeants lost a leg each; the color-bearer was mortally wounded, and has since died; in all eighty-four were killed and wounded out of the small party,-about sixty per cent. Yet the remnant of the brave old regiment was in the bastion which the enemy tried to carry by assault on the morning of the 29th, and their courage and cheer were as great yesterday as when I took command of them two years ago a thousand strong.

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297

300

210

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There is no language that can exaggerate the behavior of these "braves." They will probably be almost unnoticed in Detroit, because they have ever been too proud to seek any demonstration. Yet I would pity any one's humanity who could look unmoved upon that remnant of a regiment whose flag has area enough to bear the names of only a portion of their battles. Proud am I that I was ever associated with such heroes, and if there is any event of my life with which I am particularly satisfied, it is that I built Fort Saunders, and that, protected by its parapet, the regiment I once had the honor to command hurled back, discomfited and demoralized, more than ten times their number of the best troops in the rebel service. There is something sublimely grand in the steady, quiet courage of those men of our "Second." They are all intelligent enough to know their danger, and always true and brave enough to face it. They never yet have failed in time of need, and they never will. I would ask no higher honor than to ride at their head through the streets of Detroit, for you know I am ashamed neither of them, their deeds, nor of my enthusiasm for them. I have written thus warmly about them because my feelings are wrought up, and I know you can appreciate them. If any of the wounded Second reach Detroit I beg of you to look after them as I know you can."

Rendezvousing at Mt. Clemens, it was ordered on the 4th of April, 1864, to proceed to Annapolis, Maryland, and join its corps, which in the meantime had moved from East Tennessee to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. On the 22d the regiment left Annapolis for Washington, and on the 5th of May, in command of Colonel Humphrey, and then in the 1st brigade, same division and corps, crossed the Rapidan river and joined the army. Taking part with that army in the great campaign upon which it had just entered, the 2d shared with it its sufferings, its privations, and its glories.

On the 6th of May it participated in the battle of the Wilderness, losing six killed and thirty-two wounded and missing. May 9th it marched to Fredericksburg via Chancellorsville. On the 10th, 11th, and 12th it was in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, where it lost two killed and nine wounded, Captain James Farrand being one of the killed. Captain Farrand was in command of the regiment a part of the 12th, Colonel Humphrey having been placed temporarily in command of a brigade. While Farrand had command, a rebel brigade, under General Wilcox, advanced rapidly and unexpectedly on a battery of four guns, 19th N. Y., killing or wounding every man before a gun could be fired, and taking possession of some of the guns. Farrand instantly called for volunteers from the 2d, who manned the guns, putting in a double charge of canister to that already in, and with these guns, loaded to the muzzle, opened a terrific and destructive fire on the brigade with great slaughter, checking and driving it from the attack, saving the battery and preventing an overwhelming charge on the union troops in that immediate locality. General Willcox (Michigan) says in his report:

"On the 12th of May the main battle of Spottsylvania, my division marched in reserve to the corps until I was ordered up to attack on the left of the 1st division--as my left the Second Brigade-Colonel Humphrey, Second Michigan, now commanding the brigade was already skirmishing with the enemy. I moved up in echelon, Hartranft's brigade on the right and in advance. Found General Crittenden, commanding 1st division had refused his left, and I moved up Hartranft in line with his right. Posted Twichell's Battery on my right front and Roemer's Battery in rear of Humphrey's Brigade and reported to General Burnside that I expected an advance of the enemy to attack and turn my left, now the extreme left of the Army of the Potomac.

"The order was reiterated for me to attack in front and in line with Crittenden, and was obeyed as promptly as Humphrey's Brigade could be moved up, but I took the precaution to advise Lieutenant Benjamin, chief of artillery, to mass batteries in rear of my left, which he promptly did, bringing up two additional batteries. I had no sooner advanced my troops in two lines when they met my attack in the woods on my right front and brought up a field battery to an opening opposite my left centre, and fired solid shot and canister on the troops and batteries.

"The latter replied vigorously, particularly Roemer's, and the troops partly changed

front by my orders and advanced handsomely along the whole line, until two columns of brigade each charged upon the left batteries. A section of Wright's Artillery had its cannoneers shot down, and for a time was 'hors de combat.' At one time the enemy was within ten paces, but the 2d Michigan, supporting this battery, remanned the guns, and with the aid of the canister of the other batteries repulsed the charge splendidly. The brave Captain Farrand, commanding 2d Michigan, was killed. Barber's rebel brigade was completely scattered, and its commander, Colonel Barber, with some 80 others, were captured."

On the 23d of May the regiment, now in the 2d brigade, was engaged at Ox Ford, on the 23d and 24th at North Anna, and on the 30th at Tolopotomy, Lieutenant Nelson Fletcher being among the killed of the 24th. On the 3d of June, again in the 1st brigade, it was in the battle of Bethesda Church, losing two killed and 36 wounded, including Lieutenant George S. Williams among the severely wounded, and who died of his wounds on the 15th following. From Bethesda Church the regiment marched to Cold Harbor, where it was engaged on the 7th. June 12th, then in the 2d brigade, it crossed the Chickahominy river, and on the morning of the 14th and during the night of the 15th crossed to the south side of the James river and participated in the engagement before Petersburg on the 17th and 18th, losing on the 17th eight killed, including Captain James Bradley, 74 wounded, and four missing. On the 18th the regiment was in command of Lieutenant Colonel March, Colonel Humphrey having command of a brigade, being specially assigned to it on the field. The loss of the 2d on this day was 14 killed, 69 wounded, and two missing, Colonel March and Lieutenant Sherman being among the wounded, the latter dying of his wounds on the 18th of August following.

During the attack which followed the springing of the mine on the 30th of July following, the 2d, in command of Captain John L. Young, lost six killed, 14 wounded, and 37 missing, Captain Young and Lieutenant John G. Busch being among the killed.

It belonged in Willcox's division, which receives the following notice in the Annual Cyclopedia:

664

At length the 9th corps was re-formed, after a fatal delay, and with General Potter's division on the right, and Ledlies's in the center, and Willcox's on the left, under fire of two guns, began the charge. At every step the fire of the enemy in front and on each flank concentrated with greater fury upon them, and ploughed their ranks with greater slaughter. The charge was checked on the side of the crest, there was a halt, and finally the whole line, wavering under terrible odds, recoiled to the fort."

Withdrawing from in front of Petersburg, the regiment marched with its corps to the Weldon railroad, and in the action of the 19th of August, on this road, the regiment lost one killed, two wounded, and two missing. In command of Lieutenant Colonel March, Colonel Humphrey being still in command of the brigade, it participated in the movement on the right flank of the rebel army, on the 30th of September, in the engagement near Poplar Spring Church; it lost seven in wounded and twelve missing. The regiment remained in camp from the 30th of September to October 27th, near "Peeble's House." On the latter date, in the avance on the "Boydton Plank Road," it lost seven wounded and seven missing, including Captain Frederick Schneider, who was wounded and taken prisoner. On the 28th it returned to its camping ground near Peeble's House, and was employed in constructing fortifications, and on the usual picket duty, until the 29th, when it moved, with its corps, about ten miles to the right, on the old City Point and Petersburg Railroad, where it relieved a part of the 2d corps at that point, and was engaged in the