high authority of the writer, and the great compliment not only extended to the regimental commander but to the regiment itself: HEADQUARTERS 1ST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY, Į HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: DEAR SIR,--Whilst the government is conferring honors upon those who have distinguished themselves in the field, I hope it is not yet too late to ask attention of the Department to merits and service of Colonel Henry R. Mizner of the 14th Michigan Veteran Infantry (Captain 18th U. S. Infantry), who, up to the present time, seems to have been overlooked. In his behalf, as an officer deserving promotion, permit me to make the following report of his services while under my command: Colonel Mizner and regiment joined my command early in the campaign against Atlanta, and served with distinction to its close. This regiment was one of the best of the corps under my command, and on every occasion, where the enemy was met, invariably signalized its courage and discipline. In the assault of the corps on the enemy's works at Jonesboro, which resulted in the fall of Atlanta, the colors of this regiment were among the first carried over the works. Colonel Mizner had been long in command of his regiment, and beyond question, much was due his exertion and skill in promoting that excellent discipline and spirit of gallantry for which his regiment was conspicuous throughout the war. Colonel Mizner's personal bearing on the field was no less conspicuous than that of his regiment. I take great pleasure in recommending this officer's claims for promotion by Brevet, to the Department. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JEFF C. DAVIS, Brevet Major General. The 14th was engaged with the enemy while in service at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862; siege of Corinth, Miss., May 10 to 31, 1862; Lavergne, Tenn., November 1, 1862; Nashville, Tenn., November 5, 1862; Brentwood, Tenn., December 8, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., January 3, 1863; Weam's Springs, Tenn., July 27, 1863; Lawrenceburg, Tenn., November 4, 1863; Kenesaw, Ga., June 25, 1864; Chattahoochee River, Ga., July 5 and 6, 1864; siege of Atlanta, Ga., July 22 to August 25, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., August 7, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864; Florence, Ala., October 10, 1864; Savannah, Ga., December 17 to 21, 1864; Fayetteville, N. C., March 12, 1865; Averysboro, N. C., March 16, 1865; Bentonville, N. C., March 19 and 20, 1865. The enrollment of the regiment was 1,806, while its losses were 247, being one officer, 16 men died of wounds, 32 men killed in action, three officers and 195 men died of disease. "Marked on the roll of blood what names To Columbia's memory, and to fame's." NOTES.-On one of the marches of this regiment the men were very much annoyed and embarrassed one day by two large wagon trains passing on a narrow road in opposite directions, the wagons frequently coming in collision. Two Irishmen, being very much perplexed and tired by being driven out of the road, sat down by the wayside, with others, to rest, and began discussing wagon-train collisions with much earnestness and vigor, each advancing his opinion on the subject in several arguments, without coming to any satisfactory result. Finally, one of them suddenly started to his feet, slapping his fist on his musket, shouting with much warmth: "Bedad, Patrick, I have it." "What's that?" says Patrick. "It's this," says he, "if ould Grant will give his attergraf that all trains make a dead halt till they pass, bedad that must stop it; de yees see? don't yees know nothing?" "Ye're right," says Patrick: "We'll petishun ould Yelissus; he'll fight them out on that line if it takes till Patrick's day in the mornin'." A soldier of this regiment having obtained leave to go a fishing, but luck failing him, caught none. Disappointed in this, he determined to return to camp with something, and concluded to secure one of a number of small pigs running at large in the vicinity of the fishing point; accordingly, he caught one, and attaching it to the string he intended to bring home his fish with, started for the camp. Aware that there was an existing order against bringing live stock into camp, he took much pains to get within the line of sentinels without being observed. He succeeded in this, but on the way to his tent, he was halted by an officer, when the following queries and answers were made: "Been a fishing, Mike?" "Yes, sur. Caught any?" "Ne're a one. "Bad luck, Mike?" "Yes, sur." "But you brought in something?" "Ne're a heppoth.' Oh, yes, you have; and don't you know there is an order against bringing pigs into camp?" "Yes, sur.' "Then, why did you do it ?” “I didn't," says Mike. "You have,” says the officer. “I haint," says Mike. "What is that behind you?" Mike turned around, and, in apparent amazement, exclaimed: "Be the hoky! some tief o' the wurld has tied that poor, innocent pig to my fish line!" 45 " 66 " FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. "Look to your arms, boys, Monroe was the place of the rendezvous of the 15th Regiment. It was recruited under the direction of Colonel John M. Oliver, of that place. The organization of the regiment being completed, it was mustered into service on the 20th of March, 1862, and left its camp at Monroe, in command of Colonel Oliver, on the 27th of the same month, with 869 names on its rolls. FIELD AND STAFF. Colonel, John M. Oliver, Monroe. Lieutenant Colonel, John McDermott, Detroit. Major, Stephen Walsh, Saginaw. Surgeon, Levi M. Garner, Holly. Assistant Surgeon, Horace P. Woodward, Blissfield. Adjutant, James G. McBride, Monroe. Quartermaster, Michael Twoomey, Monroe. Chaplain, Thomas M. Brady, Detroit. A. Captain, John H. Waterman, Burr Oak. First Lieutenant, William J. St. Clair, St. Clair. Second Lieutenant, Jonathan Snook, Burr Oak. B. Captain, Richard Loranger, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Moses A. Lapoint, Monroe. Second Lieutenant, James G. McBride, Monroe. C. Captain, R. F. Farrell, Detroit. First Lieutenant, John Considine, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, John Stewart, Detroit. D. Captain, Henry A. Peel, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Erastus A. Pratt, Howell. Second Lieutenant, Andrew J. Bishop, Howell. E. Captain, Austin E. Jaquith, Trenton. First Lieutenant, Augustus H. Phelps, Monroe. Second Lieutenant, Malcom Swayze, Port Huron. F. Captain, Thomas M. Brady, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Malvin W. Dresser, Lyons. Second Lieutenant, James F. Adams, Monroe. G. Captain, James J. Cicotte, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Stephen M. Richards, St. Clair. Second Lieutenant, Francis X. Solean, Monroe. H. Captain, George M. Boardman, Petersburg. First Lieutenant, Samuel P. Clark, Monroe. Second Lieutenant, Isaac N. Stout, Deerfield. I. Captain, George A. Strong, Monroe. First Lieutenant, Henry F. Wallace, Corunna. Second Lieutenant, John Edwards, Corunna. K. Captain, George W. Bowlsby, Monroe. First Lieutenant, George R. S. Baker, Blissfield. Second Lieutenant, Charles W. Barnaby, Monroe. The destination of the regiment being the army then serving with General Grant in Mississippi, it reached Pittsburg Landing on the day before the battle of the 6th and 7th of April, and its participation in that action cost the regiment Captain George A. Strong, Lieutenant Malvin Dresser, and 31 men killed, and 1 officer and 63 privates wounded, with 7 missing. From General McCook's official report, commanding 2d division, Buell's army: "I take great pleasure in calling your attention to the conduct of Colonel Oliver and a portion of his regiment, the 15th Michigan. When my division was marching on the field, Colonel Oliver, at that time unknown to me, requested the privilege to place himself under my command. His regiment was attached to General Rosseau's brigade, and during the day was under the hottest fire, when he and his officers and men acted with conspicuous gallantry." At the attack on Corinth, Mississippi, by the rebel force on the 3d and 4th of October following, the 15th, in command of Lieutenant Colonel McDermott, and then in the 2d brigade, commanded by Colonel Oliver, 6th division (McArthur's), formed the outposts of the Union army, and its pickets and skir mishers were the first engaged, its casualties in that affair being thirteen killed, thirty-two wounded and five missing. Up to November 1st it had participated in engagements and skirmishes at Pittsburg Landing, April 6th; Farmington, May 9th; siege of Corinth, from May 10th to 31st; Iuka, September 19th; Chewalla, October 1st; and on the 3d and 4th at Corinth. Report of Lieutenant Colonel McDermott covering the part taken by his regiment at Chewalla and Corinth: "We were stationed at Chewalla, a small post some nine miles from Corinth, on the Memphis and Charleston railroad. Attached to us was a company of cavalry commanded by Ford (53d Illinois), which was kept on duty night and day. We were always on the alert for any surprise. Our men were engaged night and day on picket duty and building breastworks. On Tuesday, 1st instant, from information received, I was informed that a large body of the enemy was advancing some eight miles from Pocahontas. I immediately reported the same to headquarters and advanced our pickets, and sent forward our cavalry scouts to ascertain if possible their force and report. They reported a large body advancing, of cavalry and infantry. I immediately reported to headquarters, packed up all baggage and property belonging to the U. S., and sent our trains forward on the Corinth road. On Wednesday morning, 2d instant, our scouts were driven in, wounding one man and two horses. I then reported the facts to headquarters and asked for reinforcements, which were promptly furnished, consisting of two regiments and two pieces of artillery under command of Colonel J. M. Oliver, commanding 2d brigade. He arrived about sundown and assumed command. During the whole afternoon our scouts and pickets were engaged in skirmishing, falling back slowly and contesting every foot of the way. About 10 P. M. we were ordered to fall back to an elevated spot about one mile from Chewalla, when we formed in line of battle, still keeping our pickets and line of skirmishers there. We rested on our arms all night. About 5 o'clock in the morning of the 3d, our advance pickets and those of the enemy came in collision at the Tuscumbia, they driving our pickets back to Chewalla, wounding two men and two horses. We had four companies out as skirmishers. We were then ordered to fall back to the junction of the road known as 'old Smith road.' There we learned that a large force of the enemy was approaching fast. We were then ordered to fall back to the road known as the 'Alexander road,' where we arrived about 5 P. M., our skirmishers still contesting every foot of the way. We formed line, were ordered to support one piece of artillery, sent out two companies as skirmishers for the night, and rested on our arms. About 5 o'clock next morning the firing was resumed between our pickets and those of the enemy. Our piece of artillery, after firing about seventeen rounds, was ordered to fall back, which it did. About ten minutes afterward we were ordered to fall back, which we did in good order, taking a position on an elevated spot near the Memphis and Charleston railroad, arriving there about 8.15 A. M. We were then ordered into line to support two pieces of artillery (the 1st Minnesota). Twice during the forenoon the enemy ascended the hill on double-quick and both times were gallantly repulsed. We stood there under a hot fire until about 4 P. M., when the gun on our right gave way for want of ammunition, causing the regiment on the right as well as on the left to fall back. After retiring some two hundred paces, we rallied, and by the aid of Captain Clark, A. A. General to General Rosecrans, I succeeded in forming line with the 15th Michigan and a portion of the 14th Wisconsin. It was here that the following expression was used by the General commanding: Well may Michigan be proud of the gallant 15th.' And after a spirited contest was forced to fall back to the camp of the 17th Wisconsin, when we again rallied; a contest ensued, wherein the enemy was nobly repulsed. We were then ordered to fall back to the Seminary to support a battery at that point, which we did, where we rested on our arms for the night. About 4 A. M. next morning (5th) the enemy opened on us a hot fire of shot and shell. About 8 A. M. we were ordered to the Seminary, where we remained the balance of the day. About 7 P. M. we were ordered to be ready to march next morning at 3 o'clock, with three days' rations, in pursuit of the enemy. We did so, following them in close pursuit by way of Chewalla, Tuscumbia, Hatchee, and Ripley (taking many prisoners together with arms and equipage), where we arrived on the 10th, and were ordered back to Corinth arriving there on the night of the 12th. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, and after marching a distance of sixty miles since the morning of the 10th through a drenching rain our men were much exhausted, but in the glorious victory achieved they lost sight of everything but the Union. We arrived at Corinth in good order. Our loss in this affair was thirteen killed, thirty-two wounded, and five missing." November 2d, 1862, the 15th was ordered with its division to move from Corinth, where it had been stationed, to Wolf Creek. From that point the regiment proceeded to Grand Junction, November 19th, to serve as garrison and provost guard. It was also employed, while at Grand Junction, in guarding the Memphis and Charleston railroad and in scouting after guerrillas. The regiment remained at Grand Junction and at La Grange until June 5th, 1863, when it was ordered, in command of Colonel Oliver, to Vicksburg, Miss., with the 1st division, 16th corps, to which it had been attached since January 1st. Arriving at the mouth of the Yazoo, June 11th, the 15th proceeded up the river and disembarked at Hayne's Bluff. Having been attached temporarily to the 9th corps, it participated with it in the advance on Jackson on the 4th of July. The Big Black river was crossed on the 6th (this regiment leading), on rafts and by swimming, and until the arrival of the national forces before Jackson the regiment was engaged in skirmishing with the rebels. It participated in the movements of the 9th corps until the enemy was driven back across the Pearl river, on the 17th. On the 23d it began its march back to the Big Black. It was here attached to the 2d brigade, 4th division, 15th army corps. This corps having been ordered to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland, the regiment arrived at Memphis, Tenn., October 8th, and at Corinth, Miss., on the 17th. On the following day it proceeded to Iuka, where it remained until October 25th, and on the 1st of November it arrived at Florence, Ala. Leaving Florenee in command of Lieutenant Colonel Jaquith, November 2d, 1863, the 15th proceeded, via Fayetteville and Winchester, Tenn., to Bridgeport, whence, on the 16th, it marched to Stevenson, and on the 17th to Scottsboro, Ala. During the months of January and February, 1864, the regiment remained quietly in camp at that point. Becoming a veteran organization, with 186 re-enlistments, the regiment left Scottsboro on the 17th of March, 1864, and arrived at Detroit on the 22d, where it was furloughed for thirty days, at the expiration of which time it again went into rendezvous at Monroe, whence it proceeded to Chattanooga, Tenn., arriving there on the 4th of May. Encamping at Rossville, it moved from that place to participate in the Georgia campaign, taking part in the engagements that occurred during the movement on Resaca. On the 17th the command marched to Dallas, via Adairsville. Entrenching, it remained in its works, with occasional skirmishing, until the 1st of June, when it moved to near New Hope Church, and on the 5th to Ackworth. On the 10th the regiment, in command of Major F. S. Hutchinson, marched to Big Shanty, and on the 15th moved to the right of the line, and with its brigade supported a force which attacked and drove the enemy from their works. Marching on the 19th, the command moved to the right of the railroad facing Kenesaw Mountain, where it remained until the 25th. Moving to Marietta on the 3d of July, the regiment marched thence on the 4th, and on the 8th arrived at Nickajack creek, and entrenched in view of the enemy's works. Marching via |