History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

356

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

the regiment moved to a point on the Virginia Central railroad,
and on the 25th to near Little river. Recrossing the North Anna,
on the 26th and 27th, it proceeded by forced marches toward the
Pamunky river, which it crossed at Hanovertdwn on the morning
of the 28th, and went into line of battle on the South creek, throwing up a line of breastworks. On the following morning the regiment moved to near Tolopotany creek. On the 30th it again
moved forward. During the afternoon, the army having become
engaged, the regiment was ordered into position on the left of the
line. Though exposed in an open field to a raking fire, the men
stood their ground with great pertinacity, protecting themselves by
throwing up earthworks with their hands, bayonets and tin plates.
Major Robert T. Elliot, while leading the regiment, was here killed.
The enemy were finally driven back, and the regiment held the
ground during the night. On the 1st of June the 16th drove the
enemy from the rifle pits, which it succeeded in holding against all,
efforts to retake them. On the 2d, 3d and 4th, the 16th was engaged near the vicinity of Bethesda Church. On the 5th it moved
to near Cold Harbor, and on the 6th to Dispatch Station.
June 13 it crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, en route for
the James river, which it crossed on the 16th, arriving in front of
Petersburg on the following day. From this'time to Aug. 15, when
it was placed in reserve, the regiment was employed in the trenches
in fiont of Petersburg. It participated in the movement, Aug. 18,
on the Weldon railroad, and remained in this vicinity, constructing
and occupying a portion of the line of defenses, until Sept. 30,
when it took part in the engagement near Poplar Grove clurch
forming part of the storming party which drove the enemy from
their works. During this assault the regiment again lost its commanding officer, Col. Norvel E. Welch, who was killed. Its loss
during the engagement vas 10 killed and 42 wounded. Oct. 27
the regiment took part in the movement on the Boydton PlankRoad, but did not become actively engaged. On the 28th it constituted a portion of the rear guard in tile retrograde movement to the
position near Poplar Grove Church. During its service tlrough
1864, 52 men died in battle, 12 of disease, 178 were wounded, and
16 made prisoners.
During the last days of the war it served at Dabney's mills, or
Hatch run, Va., Feb. 6th and 7th, and March 25th; at White
Oak road, March 29th; Quaker road, March 31st; Five Forks,
April 1; Amelia Court-House, April 5; High Bridge, April 6th;
Appomattox Court-H-ouse, April 9; and all through the siege of
Petersburg, from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865. Having been
present in the review of the Potomac army at thle Capitol, May 23,
it left for Jeffersonville. Ind., where it was mustered out July 8.
Arriving at Jackson, July 12, it received its discharge on the
25th of that month.
OQfieers. —Michael Chittick entered service as Sergeant of Co. B. Aug. 5, 1861,
was colmmissioned 2d Lieut.,.June 27, 1862, and fell at the second 1Iull Run,
Aug. 30, 1862.