Michigan in the American Civil War facts for kids
Michigan played a very important role in the American Civil War. Even though the fighting was far from Michigan, the state sent many soldiers and leaders to help the Union. When the war began, Michigan was only asked to send one group of soldiers. But the state's leader, Austin Blair, decided to send seven groups instead! This showed how much Michigan supported the Union.
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Michigan Before the War
Before the Civil War started, there was a big problem. Some states in the South wanted to leave the Union. The President at the time, James Buchanan, seemed unsure what to do.
A wise leader from Michigan, Lewis Cass, was the Secretary of State. He was 78 years old and had been a senator and governor. Mr. Cass was so upset with the President's weak stance that he quit his job. He said he had seen the country's rules, the Constitution, created. Now he feared it was falling apart.
In December 1860, South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union. Michigan's governor, Moses Wisner, gave a strong speech. He told the Michigan Legislature that it was time to defend the Union. He said there was no time for being afraid when people were talking about leaving the country.
On January 2, 1861, Austin Blair became the new governor. He promised to act strongly to keep the Union together. He also wanted to punish those who tried to leave. The Michigan Legislature agreed with him. When another state, Virginia, asked Michigan to join a peace meeting, Michigan refused. The Legislature said they would not make deals with "traitors."
Michigan's Military Help
When the Civil War began, President Lincoln asked for soldiers. Michigan quickly responded. The first group of volunteers from Michigan joined the army on May 1, 1861. They were called the 1st Michigan Infantry.
On May 16, this group arrived in Washington, D.C. It is said that President Lincoln was very happy. He supposedly exclaimed, "Thank God for Michigan!"
During the war, about 90,000 men from Michigan served in the Union army. This was about 23% of all the men in the state in 1860. This number included about 1,600 black soldiers.
Michigan created many different types of soldier groups. They formed 30 infantry (foot soldier) groups. They also had eleven cavalry (horseback soldier) groups. There was one light artillery group and two smaller artillery units. Michigan also had two companies of sharpshooters. And they had the 1st Michigan Engineers, who built things for the army.
Sadly, many Michigan soldiers died during the war. Records show that 14,753 officers and men from Michigan lost their lives.
Famous Michigan Units
Some Michigan units became very well known. The 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry was one of them. They were part of the famous Iron Brigade. This group fought bravely at the Battle of Gettysburg. They suffered many losses while defending McPherson Ridge.
Another famous group was George Armstrong Custer's "Michigan Wolverine" Cavalry. They fought a tough battle against J.E.B. Stuart at Gettysburg. This fight happened on the East Cavalry Field.
Michigan Generals
Several important Union generals were from Michigan. These included:
- George Armstrong Custer
- Elon J. Farnsworth
- Byron Root Pierce
- Orlando Metcalfe Poe
- Israel Bush Richardson
- Orlando B. Willcox
One Michigan soldier wrote a letter to his wife. He explained why he was fighting for the Union. He died in 1864, but his words show his strong beliefs:
The more I learn of the cursed institution of slavery, the more I feel willing to endure, for its final destruction ... After this war is over, this whole country will undergo a change for the better ... Abolishing slavery will dignify labor; that fact of itself will revolutionize everything ... Let Christians use all their influence to have justice done to the black man.
Soldiers Lost from Michigan
General O. B. Willcox spoke about the soldiers who died. He said in 1866:
Ah! yes, many a hand that vigorously grasped these Flagstaffs and led the van, now lies crumbling in the grave; and not color-bearers alone, but nearly 15,000 others who fought beside them—the flower of Michigan—return not to receive your thanks and the plaudits of their grateful countrymen.
A total of 14,753 Michigan soldiers died while serving. This means about one out of every six soldiers from Michigan did not return home. Of these deaths, 4,448 were from fighting in battles. The rest, over 10,000, died from diseases. Sickness was a big problem in army camps. Soldiers often faced poor food, unclean conditions, and old-fashioned medicine.
Michigan had the sixth-highest number of soldiers lost among all the Union states.
Michigan's Homefront Support
Michigan was very active in supporting the American Civil War. Thousands of volunteers joined the army. In cities like Grand Rapids and Niles, people felt a strong sense of national pride in 1861. Everyone, no matter their background, was excited about the war.
However, by 1862, more and more soldiers were dying. The war also began to focus on ending slavery, not just keeping the Union together. Some people, called Copperhead Democrats, felt the war was a failure. They tried to make support for the war a Republican-only idea. But in the 1864 election, Michigan voters still strongly supported the Union. About 79,149 people (53.60%) voted for the Union cause. Only 68,513 people (46.40%) voted against it.
