22nd
Regiment Michigan
Volunteer
Infantry
Regiment Michigan
Volunteer Infantry
1862-1865
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The Twenty Second Regiment was raised in the counties of Oakland, Livingston, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer and Sanilac, being what was then, the Fifth Congressional District. Its rendezvous was at Pontiac, the Honorable Moses Wisner, who had been lately Governor of the State, later to be commissioned Colonel of the Regiment, having charge of the camp. The recruitment of the 22nd. commenced on July 15,1862, being completed August 29th., when it was mustered into the service of the United States.On the 4th. of September, the Regiment took its route for Kentucky via Cincinnati, 997 strong, under the command of Colonel Wisner, who served faithfully, with much distinction until attacked with typhoid fever, of which he died at Lexington, Kentucky, on the 4th. of January. On the 4th. of September, the 22nd. was given a Flag, just before leaving Pontiac, by the young ladies of that city. This Flag was defended at Chickamauga in the heroic charge of the Regiment, where three color bearers were killed and several wounded, with nearly the entire Regiment killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
The Regiment, under the command of Colonel Le Favour, after the death of Colonel Wisner, remained in Kentucky until April the 13th., being stationed in Lexington, Danville, Nicholasville and Stanford amongst other places. On the 24th. of March they were attacked near Danville, by the Confederates, under the command of General Pegram, then fell back to Hickman Bridge, with a loss of 2 men wounded, one taken prisoner. The Regiment arrived at Nashville, April the 14th., where they remained until the 5th. of September, when they moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, then proceeded to Rossville, thence to Ringgold, Georgia.
After the historic and bloody carnage began at Chickamauga, the Regiment was rapidly deployed to assist in the desperate struggle. Arriving there on August 2nd., the second day of the fight.
Arriving on the field, the Regiment was pushed right to the front, being immediately severely engaged. The Regiment went into this action with a strength of 584 officers and men, losing 2 officers wounded with 15 missing, 36 men killed, 89 wounded and 247 missing, a loss of 372 men, before the sun set on that fateful day.
Colonel Le Favour, having been assigned the command of two Regiments, the 89th. Ohio in addition to the 22nd., the 22nd. went into the action under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sanborn, who was severely wounded, while Captain Elijah Snell, along with Wm. Smith, were mortally wounded.
The former died on the 25th., the latter dying on October the 11th. Colonel Le Favour being a prisoner, with Lieutenant Colonel Sanborn wounded, Major Henry Dean commanded during the remainder of the engagement. Cartridges all gone " you must use the bayonet," says General Whittacker to the 22nd. The Confederates again advance in fury, the sun has gone down on that bloody field, in the twilight it is difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The 22nd. rushes forward with bayonets fixed, with muskets empty, under a terrible storm of grape, cannister and musketry, meeting the Southern charge, driving them back at every point. An order comes to fall back, but to late for the 22nd. The Regiment is closed in on both flanks, cut off, when darkness finds nearly all of the Regiment in the hands of the Confederates or down on the field, until with what remaining men they were ordered to the rear.
Then on the 23rd. they proceeded to Moccasin Point, on the North bank of the Tennessee River, where they were employed, under continuous fire from Confederate batteries on Lookout Mountain, in building fortifications until October 28th., when they were ordered to the South side of the river, to support General Hooker, there to dig rifle pits in command of the Lookout Valley.
October 30th., they returned to camp at Moccasin Point. At this time the Regiment was assigned to the 3rd. Brigade, 2nd. Division, of the 14th. Corp, but was acting with the 4th. Corp. Since that time being attached to the Engineer Brigade, commanded by General Wm. Smith, Chief Engineer.
The 22nd. remained at Chattanooga until may 31st., at which time they reported to Brown's Mill Creek, GA, where they were joined with the 9th. Michigan to form a Brigade, to be known as a Reserve Brigade, Department of the Cumberland serving on Provost Duty.
They performed in that capacity, along with Engineers, in the armys march to Atlanta, On October 31st, being assigned to part of the headquarters of General Thomas, they returned to Chattanooga, remaining there through the winter, building barracks, leaving on the June 20, 1865 for Nashville, where they were mustered out of Federal Service on the 26th.
On the 27th. they left for Michigan, by way of Louisville, Indianapolis, the Michigan City, arriving at Detroit on the 30th., where they were paid off and disbanded.
Attached to the 22nd., was a stray drummer boy from an Ohio regiment, that went on to gain fame, whose name is still recognized by all students of the Civil War, Johnny Clem.
| Danville, Ky | Hickman's Bridge, Ky | Pea Vine Creek, Tn |
| McAfee's Church, Tn | Chickamauga, Ga | Wantahatchie, Tn |
| Mission Ridge, Tn | Atlanta, Ga |
ORGANIZATION
Organized at Pontiac, Mich., and mustered in August 29, 1862.
Left State for Kentucky September 4.
Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio to November, 1862.
1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. Ohio to January, 1863.
3rd Brigade, District of Central Kentucky, Dept. Ohio to April, 1863.
District of Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland to June, 1863.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Reserve Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland to September, 1863.
1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps to October, 1863.
2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland to November, 1863.
Engineer Brigade, Dept. of the Cumberland to May, 1864.
Reserve Brigade, Dept. of the Cumberland to April, 1865.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Separate Division, District of the Etowah, Dept. of the Cumberland to June, 1865.
1862-1865
| Total Enrollment | 1586 |
| Killed in Action | 53 |
| Died of Wounds | 29 |
| Died of Disease | 292 |
| Total Casualty Rate | 23.6% |
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