On the first call for soldiers to resist the action of the rebels, Col. Daniel McConnell, who was in command of a regiment of amateur soldier, was commissioned to raise a regiment, to be known as the "Michigan Third Volunteers."

McConnell had had some military experience in the Mexican war, where he served as lieutenant The camp was at the Fair Grounds, south of the city of Grand Rapids.

The recruiting went on for a time, and the regiment was fast filling up, when the order came on requiring the enlistment for three years, or during the war. This necessitated the disbandment of the enlisted men, and a re-enlistment, Most of those who had enlisted for three months, re-enlisted for three years.

The regiment was hurried to Washington. It left Grand Rapids, and proceeded by rail to the capital.

It was a new scene for the denizens of the Valley to witness the department of its citizens as soldiers. The day was one long to be remembered. The streets were thronged as the dusty column moved to the depot. Flags were flying, handkerchiefs were waving, and hats were doffed, as they moved along. At the depot there were few tearless eyes. The compressed lips of the soldier, as he bade adieu to the dear once, there building him "Good-bye," showed the strength of the purpose that had nerved his soul. The feeling of all was well expressed by one who, leaving wife and little ones behind, said to the writer: "Not all the wealth and honors of earth could tempt me to go, as I am going if it were not a dread necessity. But, being as it is, they could not tempt me to stay back."

They went--the record that follows will show that they did good service in the field. Its subsequent history is given in the annual reports of the Adjutant-General, which are here copied in full:

This regiment left Grand Rapids for the seat of war on the Potomac, June 13, 1861, having upon its muster rolls the names of 1,040 officers and enlisted men. There had been 123 added to this number on the first of July, 1862. The Third was in action at Blackburn’s Ford, July 18, 1861. It encamped for the winter near Alexander, with the Second and Fifth, forming part of the same brigade, and was moved to the conclusion of that campaign. It fought at Williamsburg, May 5^th, at Fair Oaks, May 30; at Glendale (or Charles City Cross Roads), June 30; at Malvern Hill, July 1, and at Groveton (or Ball Run), August 29. Its losses at Fair Oaks were 30 killed, 124 wounded, and 15 missing. Its last return showed an aggregate for the 30^th of November, of 669, present and absent. It was in Birney’s Division of Stoneman’s corps of the army, of the Potomac, and had for its officers:

This regiment, on the 1^st of November, 1862, left Edward’s Ferry, Md., and marching by Warrenton, encamped at Falmouth, November 23d. Crossing the Rappahannock on the 13^th of December, it was under fire three days at the first battler of Fredrickburg, sustaining a loss of 9 in wounded. Re-crossing on the 15^th, it occupied its former camp. January 20^th, 1863, the regiment marched with its corps to United States Ford, but without crossing the river, returned to camp near Falmouth, where it lay until April 28^th. Breaking camp at that date, it crossed the Rappahannock May 1^st, United States Ford, and moved up near Chancellor’s House. In the engagement at Chancellorsville it sustained a loss of 63 killed, wounded and missing. Breaking camp again on the 11^th of June, the regiment marched via Centreville, Edward’s Ferry and Frederick City, to Gettysburg, Pa., over dusty roads and during an intense heat. It was engaged in the actions of the 2d and 3d of July, at Gettysburg, where its loss was 41n killed, wounded and missing. Having followed the retreating enemy at Williamsport, it marched thence to Harper’s Ferry, crossed the Potomac and moved to Manassas Gap. It was engaged at Wapping heights, but without loss. On the 17^th of August, the regiment proceeded to Alexandria, and from there to New York, whither it had been ordered to aid in the preservation of the public peace during the then pending draft. Remaining there some days, it moved to Troy, N.Y., where it was stationed two weeks. It then repaired to its brigade in the Army of the Potomac, arriving at Calpepper September 17^th. On the 11^th of October, falling back across the Rappahannock by way of Auburn Heights, it had a slight skirmish with the rebels, with a loss of 1 wounded. Moving thence by Manassas and Centreville, it lay at Fairfax Station four days, and thence moved forward to Catlett’s Station, where it encamped November 1^st, 1863. The alterations and casualties of the year were as follows:

Died in notion or wounds, 28; died of disease, 13; discharged for disability, 168; discharged by order, 22; deserted, 20; missing in action, 27; officers resigned, 9; officers dismissed, 2; wounded in action, 59; joined regiment, 22; present and absent November 1^st, 1862, 701; present and absent November 1^st, 1863, 467.

The regiment was in the 3d Brigada, 1^st Division, 3d Corps Army of the Potomac. It had the following officers:

On the 7^th of November, 1863, the Third Infantry moved forward with the Army of the Potomac to Kelly’s Ford, on the Rappahannock, and thence marched to Brandy Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, where it went into camp. On the 20^th, the regiment took part in the Mine Run campaign, engaging the enemy on the 27^th, at Locust Grove, and on the 30^th at Mine Run. Having fallen back with the army, it again arrived at its camp at Brandy Station, on the 2d of December, having lost during the movement 31 killed, wounded and missing. On the 23d of December, 180 of the regiment re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteers. Returning to this State, these Veterans were given the usual furlough of thirty days, at the expiration of which they returned to the regiment Crossing the Rapidan at Ely’s Ford, on the morning of the 4^th of May, 1864, the regiment advanced and encamped at Chancellorville. On the three following days the regiment participated in the battles of the Wilderness, sustaining a heavy loss. It was also engaged at Todd’s Tavern, on the 8^th. On the 12^th, at Spottsylvania, it participated in the successful charge of the 2d Corps, capturing a number of prisoners and two rebel battle flags. Prior to this engagement the Third was consolidated temporarily with the Fifth Infantry. The regiment also took part in the engagement on the North Anna River; thence it marched to the Pamunky, which it crossed on the 27^th, and advanced toward Cold Harbor. In addition to the engagements mentioned, the Third also participated in a number of minor actions and skirmishes. Its loss during the month of May was 31 killed, 119 wounded and 29 missing. On the 9^th of June, at Cold Harbor, Va., the regiment, with the exception of the re-enlisted men, and such as had joined since the date of original organization, and certain designated officers, were ordered to proceed to this State for the purpose of being discharged. The remaining officers and men were formed into a battalion of four companies, and attached to the Fifth Michigan Infantry. The order consolidating these regiments was confirmed by special orders of the War Department, issued on the 13^th of June, 1864. On the 20^th of June, the organization which had been one of the first in the field, was formally mustered out of the U. S. Service.

The alterations and casualties from November 1^st to date of muster out, were as follows:

Died in action or of wounds, 35; died of disease, 6; discharged for disability, & c., 166; transferred, 354; missing in action, 39; re-enlisted as veterans 207.

This regiment was consolidated with the 5^th Infantry, June 13^th, 1864, and on the 20^th the original organization was formally mustered out of service. During the war it was engaged as a regiment in the battles and skirmishes named below, up to and including June 7^th. The portion of it consolidated with the 5^th remained in service until the close of the war, and participated in all the battles in which that regiment was engaged subsequent to its consolidated therewith.