**17th Michigan Infantry Regiment**
**Definition:**
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry unit that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, participating in numerous key battles and campaigns from 1862 to 1865.
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## 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment organized in Michigan for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Mustered into service in 1862, the regiment played a significant role in several major campaigns and battles, including the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. Known for its discipline and combat effectiveness, the 17th Michigan contributed to the Union’s ultimate victory and the preservation of the United States.
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### Formation and Organization
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment was organized at Detroit, Michigan, and mustered into Federal service on August 19, 1862. The regiment was composed primarily of volunteers from various counties across Michigan, reflecting the strong commitment of the state’s population to the Union cause. The initial commanding officer was Colonel William Lewis Stoughton, who led the regiment through much of its service.
The regiment was part of the larger mobilization effort following President Abraham Lincoln’s call for additional troops after the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles. The men of the 17th Michigan underwent training and drilling in Michigan before being sent to the Eastern Theater of the war.
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### Service History
#### Early Service and Deployment
After mustering, the 17th Michigan Infantry was ordered to Washington, D.C., where it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was initially attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps. The IX Corps was a key component of the Union forces operating in Virginia and Maryland.
The regiment’s first major engagement came during the Maryland Campaign in September 1862, although it saw limited action during the Battle of Antietam. The 17th Michigan was still relatively inexperienced but quickly gained combat experience in the months that followed.
#### Battle of Fredericksburg
One of the regiment’s most notable early battles was the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. The 17th Michigan participated in the Union assault against well-fortified Confederate positions on Marye’s Heights. The battle was a devastating defeat for the Union, with heavy casualties, but the regiment distinguished itself by maintaining discipline under fire and executing its orders despite the difficult conditions.
#### Chancellorsville Campaign
In the spring of 1863, the 17th Michigan took part in the Chancellorsville Campaign. The regiment was engaged in several skirmishes and battles during this period, including the Battle of Salem Church. Although the campaign ended in a Confederate victory, the regiment’s performance was noted for its resilience and tenacity.
#### Gettysburg and the Summer Campaigns
The 17th Michigan Infantry was present during the Gettysburg Campaign in June and July 1863, although it was held in reserve and did not see significant action during the Battle of Gettysburg itself. Following Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of the retreating Confederate Army and was involved in various smaller engagements throughout the summer and fall.
#### Overland Campaign and Siege of Petersburg
In 1864, the 17th Michigan was heavily engaged in the Overland Campaign under General Ulysses S. Grant. The regiment fought in battles such as the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, suffering casualties but continuing to press the Confederate forces.
Following the Overland Campaign, the regiment took part in the Siege of Petersburg, a prolonged series of trench warfare engagements that lasted from June 1864 to April 1865. The 17th Michigan was involved in several assaults and defensive actions during the siege, contributing to the eventual fall of Petersburg and Richmond.
#### Appomattox Campaign and War’s End
In the final months of the war, the 17th Michigan participated in the Appomattox Campaign, which culminated in the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in April 1865. The regiment was present at key battles such as Five Forks and Sailor’s Creek, helping to cut off Confederate retreat routes.
After the surrender, the regiment performed occupation duties in Virginia before being mustered out of service in July 1865.
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### Commanders
– **Colonel William Lewis Stoughton:** The regiment’s first commanding officer, Stoughton led the 17th Michigan through much of its service, including the Battle of Fredericksburg and the early campaigns.
– **Lieutenant Colonel John Pulford:** Served as second-in-command and took over leadership during periods when Colonel Stoughton was absent or incapacitated.
– **Major Charles H. DePuy:** Commanded the regiment during later engagements, including parts of the Petersburg siege.
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### Casualties and Losses
Throughout its service, the 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment suffered significant casualties. The regiment lost men killed or mortally wounded in battle, as well as those who died from disease, which was a common cause of death during the Civil War. Estimates indicate that the regiment lost approximately 200 men killed or wounded in combat and an additional 150 to disease and other causes.
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### Legacy and Commemoration
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment is remembered for its steadfast service and contributions to the Union victory in the Civil War. Veterans of the regiment participated in reunions and commemorative events in the decades following the war, preserving the memory of their sacrifices.
Monuments and markers dedicated to the regiment can be found on several Civil War battlefields, including Fredericksburg and Petersburg, serving as reminders of the regiment’s role in these historic conflicts.
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### Conclusion
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment exemplified the courage and dedication of Michigan’s volunteer soldiers during the American Civil War. From its formation in 1862 through the final campaigns of 1865, the regiment played a vital role in many of the war’s pivotal battles. Its service contributed to the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery, marking it as an important unit in the history of the Civil War.
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**Meta Description:**
The 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment was a Union Army volunteer unit active from 1862 to 1865, participating in major Civil War battles such as Fredericksburg, Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. This article details its formation, service history, commanders, and legacy.