The Sixteenth was organized at Detroit and was originally known as “Stockton’s Independent Regiment,” as it was organized by Colonel Thomas B. W. Stockton of Flint; but it was afterward given the numerical number of the Sixteenth. It was mustered into service Sept. 8, 1861, with an en­rollment of 761 officers and men.

The field, staff and line officers at organization were as follows:

The field and staff of the regiment was made up of Colonel Thomas B. W. Stockton, Flint. Lieutenant Colonel, John V. Reuhle, Detroit. Major, Norval E. Welch, Ann Arbor. Surgeon, Isaac Wixam, Fentonville. As­sistant Surgeon, William H. Butler, Buffalo, N. Y. Chaplain, William H. Brockway, Albion. Adjutant, Thomas E. Morris, East Saginaw. Quarter­master, Miner S. Newell, Flint.

1. Captain, Thomas S. Barry, Detroit. First Lieutenant, George H. Swan, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, George Prentiss, Detroit.
2. Captain, Henry H. Sibley, Ionia. First Lieutenant, Guy W. Fuller, Ionia. Second Lieutenant, Morris B. Wells, Ionia.
3. Captain, Thomas C. Carr, Flint. First Lieutenant, Miner S. Newell, Flint. Second Lieutenant, Randolph W. Ransom, Flint.
4. Captain, Benjamin F. Fisher, East Saginaw. First Lieutenant, Theodore S. Mahan, Adrian. Second Lieutenant, Gilbert R. Chandler, East Saginaw.
5. Captain, Robert T. Elliott, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Patrick Mc­Laughlin, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Salter, Detroit.
6. Captain, James Defoe, Plymouth. First Lieutenant, William B. Roe, Plymouth. Second Lieutenant, Solomon P. Brockway, Albion.
7. Captain, George Myers, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Jacob Webber, Lansing. Second Lieutenant, Frank Eddy, Flint.
8. Captain, Stephen Martin, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Thomas F. Hughes, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, John Long, Detroit.
9. Captain, Judd M. Mott, Alburg, Vt. First Lieutenant, Benjamin F. Partridge, Bay City. Second Lieutenant, _____.
11. Captain, Gustave Kast, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Lewis Webster, East Saginaw. Second Lieutenant, Edward Hill, Detroit.

The regiment left Detroit Sept. 16, 1861, for Washington, D. C., to join the army of the Potomac. It went into camp at Hall’s Hill, Va., for the winter of 1861-2.

In February, 1862, a company was recruited at Detroit known as “Dygert’s Sharpshooters,” as it was organized by Captain K. S. Dygert. On the records of the Adjutant General’s office the company is designated as the first independent company of sharpshooters attached to the Sixteenth Infantry and the company served with the regiment until the close of the war.

The Sixteenth took part in the Peninsular campaign under General McClellan and formed a part of the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, then commanded by Fitz John Porter, and remained a part of the corps during its term of service.

The regiment was at the siege of Yorktown in April, 1862, and partici­pated in the engagement at Hanover Court House, Va., May 27.

June 27th it fought in oae of the most desperate battles of the war at Gaines Mills, Va., where it gallantly contested with the enemy for the possession of the field.

The stubborn resistance by the Sixteenth is forcibly illustrated by the casualties, as the regiment lost 3 officers and 46 men killed, 6 officers and no men wounded and 2 officers and 53 men missing.

Colonel Stockton’s horse was shot under him and he was taken prisoner and sent to Richmond, Va., where he remained until the following August before he was exchanged.

The regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Welch, was en­gaged at Malvern Hill, July 1, and Aug. 30 participated in the battle of Manassas, where it was exposed to a destructive fire and gallantly fought heavy masses of the enemy with no thought of yielding the field to the Confederates. In this action the Sixteenth met with a loss of 3 officers and 13 men killed, 4 officers and 59 men wounded.

The regiment, in command of Lieutenant Colonel Welch, Colonel Stockton having been exchanged and assigned to the command of a brigade, entered upon the Maryland campaign and was at Antietam, Md., Aug. 17, though not engaged. Immediately after the battle the Sixteenth joined in pursuit of the retreating Confederates and pushed them across the Potomac.

The regiment was at Harper’s Ferry Nov. 1 and marched to the Rap­pahannock and crossed that river at Falmouth and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, where it met with considerable loss. After a series of marches it was engaged at Chancellorsville and took an important part in that disastrous battle, but held the ground it was assigned to hold though repeatedly charged by the enemy.

At Middleburg, Va., June 21st the regiment fought a spirited engage­ment, following and driving the enemy for thirteen miles, and went into camp at the close of the day’s operations near Upperville.

Colonel Stockton resigned May 8, 1863, and Lieutenant Colonel Welch was commissioned Colonel May 18. Under his command the regiment entered upon the Pennsylvania campaign and fought in the historic battle of Gettysburg, adding a world-wide fame to its laurels in the defense of Little Round Top. This important position was considered by the com­manders of both armies to be one of vital importance and was unoccupied until General Warren detached Vincent’s brigade, which was marching with its division to the support of Birney in the Peach Orchard.

The Sixteenth was in Vincent’s brigade and at once commenced the ascent of the rocky mount at the same time Hood’s Texan troops com­menced the ascent on the opposite side. With almost superhuman efforts Hazlett’s battery was dragged by hand up the rugged side of Round Top. On the bare summit detached rocks were thrown together for protection against the storm of shot and shell that was crashing with awful destruc­tion in and around the four regiments that had gained the eminence.

As the enemy climbed by desperate methods toward the summit he was met in a hand to hand struggle with bayonet and clubbed muskets and a most terrific and bloody encounter took place. Simultaneous volleys of musketry were poured into the faces of the assailed and assailants. Haz- lett’s battery belched forth in a blaze of fire its death laden shot and shell. When the fearful cry arose that the ammunition was exhausted, the grim and smoke blackened Union troops grasped their muskets and with flashing

bayonets charged the foe down the rocky and torn side of the hill, driving them into the gorges behind Devil’s Den, and the key to the battle line was saved to General Mead’s army. No more desperate fighting occurred during the Civil war, nor was greater heroism shown on any field than was shown by the Union troops who fought and saved Little Round Top.

After the battle of Gettysburg the Sixteenth started on the 5th of July in pursuit of the retreating enemy and crossed the Potomac at Berlin on the 17th. It was constantly on the march, skirmishing and fighting and participating in the different movements with the Army of the Potomac, the months of August, September and October, and during the year marched 800 miles.

At Kelley’s Ford on the Rappahannock the Sixteenth demonstrated its gallantry again under fire and after capturing the enemy’s works remained at the Ford until Nov. 26.

In December 294 members of the Sixteenth re-enlisted and the regiment returned to Michigan on veteran furlough. It reassembled at Saginaw and on the 17th of February, 1864, joined its brigade in the army of the Potomac.

It was in winter quarters at Bealton Station, Va., until May 1 and the 6th and 7th of the same month participated in the battle of the Wilderness, where it lost thirty-five killed and wounded.

The regiment participated in all the movements in this campaign with its corps, meeting the enemy at Spottsylvania and at other places during the flanking operations of General Grant’s army. Crossing and re-crossing the North Anna river and then marching rapidly upon Hanovertown.

A company of sharpshooters was recruited at Detroit and mustered into service May 3, 1864, and was known as “Jardine’s Sharpshooters,” as it was organized by Captain George Jardine, and was designated as the second company of sharpshooters attached to the Sixteenth Infantry.

In June the regiment was constantly skirmishing with the enemy and during the 2d, 3d and 4th was engaged at Bethesda Church. From this point it moved to Cold Harbor and crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge. It crossed James river Aug. 15 and took part in the siege of Petersburg.

At Peebles farm on Sept. 30th the regiment distinguished itself with the same spirit of gallantry that actuated its members at Little Round Top.

In a charge upon the enemy’s works the Sixteenth had the center of the line and Colonel Welch was one of the first to reach the entrenchments, but was instantly killed at the moment he mounted the parapet. The regi­ment lost 10 killed and 42 wounded before the works were in the possession of the Union troops.

The Sixteenth took part in many of the movements of the Fifth Corps in the vicinity of Petersburg during the siege. Feb. 7, 1865, it was engaged with the enemy at Dabney’s Mills and on March 25th at Hatcher’s Run, at White Oak Swamp the 29th, at Quaker Road the 31st and at Five Forks April 1. It followed the Confederate army when General Lee retreated from Richmond and came in contact with the enemy frequently until the surrender at Appomattox April 9.

In May the regiment took up its line of march for Washington, where it arrived on the 12th and participated in the grand review with the army of the Potomac May 23.

June 16th the regiment was ordered to Louisville, Ky., where it ar­rived on the 21st.

It was mustered out of service at Jeffersonville, Ind., July 8 and re-

turned to Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 12th and was paid and disbanded July 25, 1865.

The regiment while in service took part in engagements at siege of Yorktown, Va., April 4 to May 4, 1862; Hanover Court House, Va., May 27, 1862; Mechanicsville, Va., June 26, 1862; Gaines’ Mills, Va., June 27, 1862; White Oak Swamp, Va., June 30, 1862; Turkey Bend, Va., June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Harrison’s Landing, Va., July 2, 1862; Ely’s Ford, Va., Aug. 29, 1862; Bull Run, 2d, Va., Aug. 30, 1862; Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862; Shepardstown Ford, Va., Sept. 19, 1862; Snicker’s Gap, Va., Nov. 4, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862; U. S. Ford, Va., Jan. 1, 1863; Chancellorsville, Va., April 30, May 2 to 5, 1863; Middleburg, Va., June 21, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 2 and 3, 1863; Williamsport, Md., July 12, 1863; Wapping Heights, Va., July 21, 22, 1863; Culpepper, Va., Oct. 12, 13, 1863; Brandy Station, Va., Oct. 13, 1863; Bristo Station, Va., Oct. 14, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., Nov. 7, 1863; Cross Roads, Va., Nov. 26, 1863; Mine Run, Va., Nov. 26, 27 and 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5 to 7, 1864; Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 18, 1864; Ny River, Va., May 21, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864; Noel’s Turn, Va., May 26, 1864; Hanover, Va., May 29, 1864; Tolopotomy, Va., May 30, 1864; Magnolia Swamp, Va., June 1, 1864; Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 3 and 4, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 7, 1864; Gaines’ Creek, Va., June 5, 1864; Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864; Peters­burg and Norfolk Railroad, July 30, 1864; Weldon Railroad, Va., Aug. 19, 20 and 21, 1864; Peeble’s Farm, Va., Sept. 30, 1864; Hatcher’s Run, Va., Oct. 27, 1864; Dabney’s Mills, or Hatcher’s Run, Va., Feb. 6 and 7, 1865; Hatch­er’s Run, Va., March 25, 1865; White Oak Road, Va., March 29, 1865; Quaker Road, Va., March 31, 1865; Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865; Amelia Court House, Va., April 5, 1865; High Bridge, Va., April 6, 1865; Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9, 1865; siege of Petersburg, Va., from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.