The Michigan 24th Infantry

The Twenty Fourth was recruited mostly in Wayne
County, rendezvousing at Detroit, then was mustered
into the service of the United States on Aug.15, 1862.
It left Detroit Aug.29,1862 under the command of
Colonel Morrow, to join the Army of the Potomac,
arriving in Washington D.C. on Sept. 2nd. The Regiment
occupied a number of different camps, making many long
marches during September, October and November,
forming a part of the First Brigade, First Division,
of the First Corp.
It crossed the Rappahanock River at Fredricksburg on
December the 12th., then on the 13th and 14th
supported a battery during the two days of fighting
there, being constantly under fire of the Confederates
guns and losing quite heavily in killed and wounded.

At Port Royal on the 23rd. of April, the Regiment made
a brilliant attack, capturing a number of prisoners
and driving the Southern forces from the field. The
Twenty-Fourth again crossed the Rappahanock on the
29th., driving the defenders from his works, again
capturing a number of prisoners, but, suffering
considerable loss itself in killed and wounded.

The Twenty-Fourth entered upon the Gettysburg
Campaign, soon to experience all the glory and horrors
of one of the most desperate battles ever fought on
the American continent. The Brigade to which the
Twenty-Fourth belonged, by it's steadiness under fire,
it's prompt obedience to orders, it's determination to
hold it's ground under any circumstances and it's
readiness to assault the opponents, earned it a place
in the "Iron Brigade". Know as such throughout the
war, its accolades continue, even to this day. That
honorable distinction was that accorded to the Brigade
during the war, has passed as such into history.

The First Corp, of which the Twenty-Fourth formed a
part, marched from the Rappahanock River through
Pennsylvania, arriving at Gettysburg on July the 1st.,
when it was immediately engaged.

It was one of the first of the infantry commands to
come into action in the three day's battle. The first
order it received was to charge the Confederates, who
were assaulting the beleagured federal cavalry, then
holding the field.

The Twenty-Fourth, with a large part of the Division
dashed forward, capturing a large part of the
Confederate General Archer's Brigade. The Brigade then
changed front, then formed a line of battle at
McPherson's woods. The Confederates advanced in double
lines, their numbers being sufficient to overlap and
flank the Union forces, all of the while pouring a
murderous fire into the line of blue, forcing it
slowly back into a new position.

The carnage here was frightful. The ground was strewn
with the dead, dying and wounded, four color bearers
were killed, three wounded in holding the flag aloft.
The Twenty-Fourth went into action with 28 officers
and 468 men. During the day 22 officers were killed
and wounded along with 71 men killed, while 223 were
wounded, for a total loss of 316 combatants Colonel
Morrow received a severe scalp wound, then fell into
the hands of the attackers. He was removed to a house
in Gettysburg, luckily when the Confederates retreated
he was left in that town, surviving, later to
eloquently describe these events in his action report.
The Regiment occupied Culp's Hill the second and third
days of the battle; but, was not again heavily engaged
in the fight.

The Regiment, then in command of Captain Edwards, all
the field officers having been killed or wounded,
marched from the battlefield July 6, in pursuit of the
fleeing Confederates, then crossed the Potomac River,
reaching the Rappahanock River on Aug. 1st.

During the summer and fall the Regiment made a number
of long marches, occupied important positions, coming
in contact with the Confederates at Mine Run, where it
distinguished itself by driving the defenders into
their works, capturing a number of prisoners. It went
into winter quarters at Culpepper, then on May 3,
1864, crossed the Rapidan River, to take part in the
desperate struggle that was the Wilderness.

During it's engagements with the Southern forces in
the wilds of the Wilderness, it captured the colors of
the Forty-Eighth Virginia Infantry, together with a
large number of prisoners; but, at a cost of 18
killed, 46 wounded and 42 missing. Colonel Morrow was
again severely wounded, whereby the Regiment passed to
the command to Captain Edwards, who had been promoted
to Lieutenant Colonel.

From the Wilderness the Regiment marched to
Spottsylvania, where it was constantly under fire
until the 21st of May, losing 11 killed, 39 wounded.
In crossing the North Anna River on the 23rd., the
Regiment was attacked but repulsed the assailants with
a loss to the Twenty-Fourth of 3 killed, 8 wounded and
5 missing.

In the advance upon Cold Harbor it met with
considerable loss, then after crossing the James River
made a successful assault upon the defences at
Petersburg, taking into action 120 men, losing 38 in
killed and wounded.

The Twenty-Fourth participated in the Siege of
Petersburg, meeting with considerable loss from
Confederate artillery and sharpshooters. Several times
it was called upon to repel the attacks of the
Confederates, abstinently holding the ground, driving
the attackers off with great slaughter.

On October 29, it was engaged in the battle of
Hatcher's Run, then took part in several expeditions
around Petersburg, though reduced in number by
constant losses, still fought with spirit and vigor.
It's last serious engagement was at Dabney's Mills. On
the 11th of February, 1865, it was ordered to
Baltimore, Md. for special duty, then from that city
the Regiment was sent to Springfield, Ill., where it
did garrison duty at a camp rendezvous, while there
was extended the honor to escort the funeral
procession of the slain President Lincoln.

June 19th the Twenty-Fourth left Springfield for
Detroit where it was mustered out, paid off disbanded
on June 30, 1865.