The Thirtieth was organized at Detroit, for a special purpose. The confederate sympathizers and rebel refugees in Canada were becoming so outspoken in their sentiments and so bold in their actions that a raid was anticipated on the towns and cities on the Michigan side of the river, and as a matter of safety it was deemed expedient to organize a regiment of Michigan troops to prevent the occurrence of such an event.

General Hooker, then in command of the department, suggested to the Secretary of War that a regiment be recruited to protect the border along the Detroit river and lakes from any attack of confederates known to be in Canada, and the Governor of Michigan was given authority by the Secretary of War to organize a regiment whose term of service should be one year for this purpose.

The Thirtieth was quickly recruited and mustered into service Jan. 9, 1865, with an enrollment of 995 officers and men.

The field, staff and line officers at organization were as follows: Colonel, Grover S. Wormer, Detroit. Lieutenant Colonel, John D. Sumner, Charlestown. Major, Samuel E. Graves, Adrian. Surgeon, John Willett, Flint. Assistant Surgeon, Theron T. Hubbard, Saginaw. Second Assistant Surgeon, Owen Ellison, Jr., Jackson. Adjutant, Jerome W. Turner. Corunna. Quartermaster, William W. Wade, Jonesville. Chaplain, Lyman H. Dean, Morenci.

1. Captain, William S. Atwood, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Henry G. Wormer, Detroit. Second Lieutenant, Elbert H. Pennell, Superior.
2. Captain, William Belles, Chesterfield. First Lieutenant, Charles C. Lamb, Mt. Clemens. Second Lieutenant, Barlow Davis, Pittsfield.
3. Captain, John M. Farland, Detroit. First Lieutenant, George W. Finley, Oshtemo. Second Lieutenant, William’ J. Clarke, Northville.
4. Captain, David D. Marshall, Tecumseh. First Lieutenant, Simeon M. Babcock, Adrian. Second Lieutenant, Willis C. Humphrey, Saline.
5. Captain, John Pigney, Eagle River. First Lieutenant, William H. Smith, Farmington. Second Lieutenant, William A. Atchinson, Farmington.
6. Captain, James T. Morgan, Muskegon. First Lieutenant, George Fowler, Fowlerville. Second Lieutenant, Albert D. Benjamin, Fowlerville.
7. Captain, George A. Douglass, Hillsdale. First Lieutenant, William C. Campbell, Hillsdale. Second Lieutenant, John A. Forbes, Hillsdale.
8. Captain, Henry T. Kimmel, Niles. First Lieutenant, Ansel J. Kane, Richland. Second Lieutenant, John N. Ferris, Kalamazoo.
9. Captain, William E. Christian, Flint. First Lieutenant, George H. Brooks, Orangeville. Second Lieutenant, Henry M. Mason, Flint.
11. Captain, Fayette Smith, Bridgeport. First Lieutenant, Lasel C. Brewer, Owosso. Second Lieutenant, John H. Barnes, Portland.

The companies of the regiment were stationed along the Detroit and St. Clair rivers and accomplished what the regiment was organized for, and though no actual fighting was participated in by the regiment its duty was performed thoroughly and well.

The regiment continued in service until June 30, 1865, when it was mustered out of service.