The Twentieth Michigan Infantry was recruited in the counties of Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun, Eaton and Ingham, under the call issued July 15, 1862, by Governor Austin Blair for Michigan’s quota of the “three hundred thousand more.”

The Twentieth rendezvoused at Jackson from the 26th of July to the 18th of August, the camp being under the supervision of Hon. Fidus Livermore of Jackson. It was mustered into the United States service Aug. 19, 1862, with a complement of 1,012 officers and men; left Jackson for Washington Sept. 1, reaching Washington on the 4th, and after more than two years and nine months’ service was mustered out at the DeLaney House, near Georgetown, D. C., May 30, 1865, and was paid off and disbanded at Jackson, Mich., June 4, 1865.

The regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, Sept. 6, 1862, and assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, but was delayed by want of tents and transportation so that it did not report to its division until Sept 23, when it came up to the army in the field at Sharpsburg (Antietam), Md., and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Wilcox’s division, Ninth Army Corps, to which division it remained attached throughout its entire service.

The Twentieth remained as part of the Army of the Potomac, in Maryland and Virginia, until Feb., 1863, and was then attached to the Department of Virginia, commanded by General John A. Dix, at Newport News, Va., until March 19, 1863; was transferred to the Department of Ohio and stationed in Kentucky until June 6, 1863, when it proceeded to join the army of General Grant at Vicksburg, Miss. After assisting in the campaigns of Vicksburg and Jackson it returned to Kentucky Aug. 11, crossed the Cumberland Mountains into East Tennessee Sept. 20 and participated very actively in the East Tennessee campaign through the trying winter of 1863-4 and until March 21, 1864, when it marched back over the Cumberland Mountains and proceeded by rail to Annapolis, Md., where the Ninth Corps was assembled and reorganized under General Burnside. It left Annapolis April 23, 1864, marching by way of Washington, D. C., to Warrenton Junction, Va., where it remained until May 4; crossed the Rapidan River on May 5 and was actively engaged in the Virginia Campaign, under General Grant, from May 5, 1864, until April 9, 1865, when General Lee surrendered the remnant of his army to General Grant.

During its entire term of service this regiment was always at the front, was never stationed in a fort, never on duty at the rear, but was constantly on the fighting line. The Twentieth is reported to have lost more commissioned officers, killed in action and died of wounds, than any other regiment from the State of Michigan.

Of its enlisted men a little more than 11 per cent were killed in battle or died of wounds. During the great “battle summer” of 1864 the regiment lost more men killed and wounded in action than the total number it had bearing arms at the opening of the campaign. From May 5, 1864, to April 3, 1865, it was not out of range of a rebel bullet for a dozen days.

The Twentieth took efficient part in the following campaigns: The Maryland (“Antietam”) campaign, Sept. 4 to Nov. 2, 1862; the Virginia (“Fredericksburg”) campaign, Nov. 2, 1862, to Feb. 16, 1863; near Fort Monroe to March 19, 1862; en route to Kentucky March 19 to 27, 1862; in the Kentucky campaign until June 6th, 1862; engaged in the Mississippi campaign June 6 to Aug. 11; stationed in Kentucky, preparing for the Tennessee campaign, Aug. 11 to Sept. 11; marching over the mountains to Morristown. E. Tenn., Sept. 11 to Sept. 22; constantly in active campaign in East Tennessee from Sept. 22, 1863, to March 21, 1864; March 21 to April 11 en route to the Army of the Potomac; April 11 to 23 encamped at Annapolis, Md.; April 23 to May 5 en route to the Rapidan; May 5 to 8th in the battle of the Wilderness; May 8 to 21 in Spotsylvania campaign; May 21 to June 16 with the Army of the Potomac in the North Anna, Cold Harbor and James River operations; June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865, engaged in the Petersburg, Va., campaign; April 3, to 9 the regiment was occupying the City of Petersburg as Provost Guard or participating in the pursuit of General Lee’s army. At the time of the surrender at Appomattox Court House the regiment with its brigade was stationed near Burk’s Junction, Va., protecting General Grant’s communications. A few days later it proceeded to Washington, marching to City Point and thence by steamboat.

May 23, 1865, it participated in the “grand review” at the Capital, and then was mustered out and returned to Michigan. During its term of service the regiment traveled upward of seven thousand miles, and left its dead in Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, while many died in hospitals all over the country.

The regiment left the state Sept. 1, 1862, under the command of Colonel Adolphus W. Williams of Lansing, and the following field and staff officers; Major, W. Huntington Smith, Adrian. Adjutant, H. S. Warner, Marshall. Quartermaster, James A. Dwight, Ypsilanti. Surgeon, Simeon S. French, Battle Creek. Assistant Surgeons, W, A. Paine, Oramel S. Ryder. Chaplain, Joseph Jones, Eaton Rapids.

The Lieutenant Colonelcy was not filled, that position being intended to be filled 011 reaching Washington by Captain Olcott of the First Michigan Infantry, but he was killed in action before the regiment reached the Capital.

The ten companies were raised and commanded as follows:

1. Company A, Lansing, Ingham County, Capt. W. H. Smith.
2. Company B, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Capt. Byron M. Cutcheon.
3. Company C, Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Capt. Geo. C. Barnes.
4. Company D, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Capt. Claudius B. Grant.
5. Company E, Parma, Jackson County, Capt. John Anderson.
6. Company F, Grass Lake, Jackson County, Capt. Silas P. Warner.
7. Company G, Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, Capt. Luke P. Willis.
8. Company H, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Capt. Wendell D. Wiltsie.
9. Company I, Marshall, Calhoun County, Capt. Charles C. Dodge.
10. Company K, Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Capt. Elijah Hammond.

Lieutenant Frank Porter of company E, was the only one of the original commissioned officers who remained with the regiment until its final muster-out. Chaplain Joseph Jones remained until after the close of hostilities and then resigned. Eighteen commissioned officers were killed in action or died of wounds, and three died of disease. The regiment was commanded as follows:

1. By Colonel A. W. Williams from muster in, Aug. 19, 1862, to March 19, 1863, when he left the regiment “on sick leave” at Newport News, and was afterward detailed on special duty until his discharge, Nov. 21, 1863.
2. By Lieutenant Colonel W. Huntington Smith, form March 27, 1863, to Nov. 16, 1863, when he was killed in action (except during a twenty days’ leave of absence.)
3. By Major Cutcheon, March 19 to 27, 1863, and by Lieutenant Colonel B. M. Cutcheon from Nov. 16, 1863, to Oct. 15, 1864, except an interval of thirty days, from March 21 to April 22, 1864, while absent on special duty, and an interval from May 10 to July 7, 1864, while he was absent in hospital with wounds received at Spottsylvania, May 10.
4. By Major Geo. C. Barnes, from March 21 to April 22, 1864, while regiment was in transit from Knoxville, Tenn., to Annapolis, Md., and from May 10 to July 18, when he was mortally wounded in action at Petersburg, Va.
5. By Major Claudius B. Grant, from June 18 to July 7, 1864, and from Nov. 20, 1864, to Dec. 19, 1864, and by Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Grant from the latter date to March 11, 1865.
6. By Captain A. A. Vancleve, from Oct. 15, 1864, when Colonel Cutcheon took command of the brigade until the return of Major C. B. Grant, Nov. 20, 1864.
7. By Captain A. A. Day, from March 11 (the date when Colonel Grant left the regiment on leave) to May 20, when Lieutenant Colonel C. A. Lounsberry (the last commanding officer) took command.
8. By Lieutenant Colonel Clement A. Lounsberry, from May 20, 1864, to the disbandment of the regiment. Captain and Brevet Major Lounsberry had been on “detached duty” as Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the brigade during the fall and winter of 1864-1865, and only returned to the regiment after it reached Washington in the spring of 1865.

During its service the regiment was actively engaged in the following battles, actions and skirmishes, namely:

Skirmish at White Sulphur Springs, Va., Nov. 15, 1862; battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 11, 12 and 13, 1862; battle of “Horseshoe Bend,” Ky., May 9 and 10, 1863; skirmish at “Alcorns,” Ky, May 9, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June —, July 4, 1863; skirmish at Jackson, Miss., July 9 and 10, 1863; siege of Jackson, Miss., July 10 to 17, 1863; action at Blue Springs, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1863; skirmish at Huffs Ferry, Tenn., Nov. 14, 1863; action at Lenoir’s Station, Tenn., Nov. 15, 1863; battle of Campbell’s Station, Tenn., Nov. 16, 1863; siege of Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, 1863; battle of Fort Saunders (Knoxville), Nov. 29, 1863; skirmish near Rutledge, Tenn., Dec. 14, 1863; skirmish at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Jan. 16, 1864; skirmish near Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 23, 1864; skirmish at mouth of Nolichucky (Chucky Bend), March 14, 1864; battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 6, 7 and 8, 1864; battle of Ny River (Spotsylvania), May 9 and to, 1864; battle of Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864; action at North Anna River, May 24 and 25, 1864; battle of Bethesda Church, Va. (Cold Harbor), June 2 and 3, 1864; battle of Petersburg. Va., June 17, 1864; battle of Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864; battle of the “Crater” (Petersburg, Va.), July 30, 1864; battle of Weldon Railroad (Yellow House), Aug. 19-21, 1864; battle of Ream’s Station, Va., Aug. 25. 1864; battle of Poplar Springs Church, Va., Sept. 30, 1864; skirmish at Pegram Farm (near Petersburg, Va.), Oct. 2, 1864; skirmish at “Boydton Plank Road” Oct. 8, 1864; battle of Hatcher’s Run, Va., Oct. 27 and 28, 1864; battle of Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865; assault on Petersburg, Va., April 2 and 3, 1865; siege of Petersburg, Va., from June 16, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

When the Twentieth regiment reached and joined the Army of the Potomac, Sept., T862, that army was still lying on the battlefield of Antietam (or, as the confederates call it, Sharpsburg). Its first picket duty was done along the Potomac, a little above Harper’s Ferry, the enemy occupying the opposite bank.

After two weeks spent here, during which the regiment was reviewed by President Lincoln, about Oct. 8, the regiment moved over Elk Ridge, or “Maryland Heights,” into Pleasant Valley, where it remained about a week, and then made a forced march in the night to Nolan’s Ford, fifteen miles below, where it remained, guarding the ford, until Nov. 2, when it .forded the Potomac at Point of Rocks and marched to Waterford, Va., where its division was assembled for the first time since the regiment joined. After a halt of two days the regiment moved with its corps via Purcellsville, Orleans, New Baltimore, White Sulphur Springs, etc., to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, which point it reached Nov. 19, 1862. The regiment had taken the field unprepared for such a campaign. It was not properly equipped with clothing, tents or transportation, and in consequence a large percentage of the men were sick and many never again joined for duty. The camp at Falmouth was in a mudhole, and a large number died. The regiment shared in the hardships of the battle of Fredericksburg, but not in its heavy fighting and severe losses.

On Christmas day, 1862, a beautiful banner, the gift of the ladies of Jackson, was presented to the regiment. About the middle of February, 1863, the regiment, with its corps, was transferred to the Department of Virginia and stationed at Newport News, where in a delightful and healthful camp, upon which the City of Newport News now stands, it rapidly gained in health and spirits. Here Colonel Williams left the regiment on “sick leave” and did not again resume the duties of command.

On March 19, 1863, the regiment broke camp at Newport News, proceeded to Baltimore by boats, thence via Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Parkersburg, on the Ohio River, and thence by boat to Louisville, Ky., arriving on the night of March 26. After a couple of days at Louisville the regiment proceeded to Bardstown, then marched via Springfield to Lebanon, where it remained through most of the month of April, but advanced from Lebanon, by way of Green River Bridge, in time to reach Columbia, in Adair County, 011 the last day of April. The next day reported to Colonel Richard I. Jacob, commanding a brigade of Kentucky cavalry, crossed the Cumberland River near Jamestown and met the advance of General John Morgan’s cavalry at Monticello, where a skirmish took place; fell back to the Cumberland May 6 and May 9 became engaged with the enemy at “Alcorns” and at “Horseshoe Bend” of the Cumberland. The Twentieth bore the brunt of the fight and acquitted itself in a manner to gain the high enconiums of all its superior officers. Lieutenant William Green, company A, was killed and Lieutenant C. A. Lounsberry severely wounded and taken prisoner. The total loss of the regiment in killed, wounded and missing was 44. On the 11th the regiment returned to Columbia, where it remained until June 4. On June 4 the regiment received orders to proceed to Louisville en route to join General Grant, then besieging Vicksburg, Miss. It reached Louisville, Ky., on the 6th and proceeded without delay to report- to General Grant. The command, including the division now under the command of General Thomas Welsh, first landed on the west side of the Mississippi and marched across the peninsula opposite Vicksburg to a point below that city, then marched back and was transported on boats up the Yazoo River and landed near Snyder’s Bluff, and was engaged until near the end of June in fortifying the neck of land between the Yazoo and the Big Black Rivers. About June 28 it moved to Flower Hill Church, on Oak Ridge, about midway between the two rivers last named, where it continued engaged in fortifying against an expected attack from a large force under General Jo Johnson until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4. Then marched with the Ninth and Sixteenth corps against the City of Jackson, the Capital of the State of Mississippi.

After some brisk skirmishing before Jackson on July 9 and 10 Jackson was evacuated on the 17th, and the Twentieth then proceeded to tear up the railroad north of Jackson. On the 20th received orders to return to Vicksburg, but so many troops were to be transported north that no boats could be had until Aug. 4, when the regiment took boat for Cairo and then moved by rail to Cincinnati, arriving at the latter point Aug. 11, and after one day at Covington proceeded again by rail to Nicholasville. It remained at that point and at Crab Orchard, Ky., recuperating from the severe and very disabling Mississippi campaign, until Sept. 11, when it started over the Cumberland Mountains, by way of Cumberland Gap, to Morristown, East Tennessee, to take part in the campaign for the redemption of that loyal but much harried region. From Morristown the regiment proceeded to Greenville and thence to Knoxville, where it remained until Oct. 9, when it moved to Bull’s Gap, and then on the 10th marched to Blue Springs, where, with the rest of the division, it became engaged the same day with a rebel division, and after a sharp conflict drove them from the field. The next day marched through Greenville to Rheatown, where a skirmish took place, and thence returned by easy marches to Knoxville. After a brief rest here the regiment marched to Loudon, on the Tennessee River. Early in November, the General commanding learning that the enemy was advancing in heavy force from Chattanooga, retired to Lenoir Station, near the junction of the Holston and Little Tennessee Rivers. Here the regiment proceeded to build winter quarters, but before they were completed the order came to break camp and advance to endeavor to prevent General Longstreet from crossing the Tennessee River at Huff’s Ferry. Here, 011 the evening of the 14th and morning of the 15th of November, heavy skirmishing occurred with Longstreet’s advance. On the afternoon of the 15th the regiment was engaged in skirmishing at Lenoir’s and during the night was detailed with the Second and Seventeenth Michigan as rear guard in the movement to Knoxville.

After skirmishing through the morning it became heavily engaged in a rear guard fight at Turkey Creek at about 10 a. m., and a little later in the day in a severe general engagement at Campbell’s Station.

Here Lieutenant Colonel W. Huntington Smith, commanding the regiment, was instantly killed, pierced through the brain by a minie bullet. The command then devolved on Major Cutcheon. The engagement lasted until dark, and during the night General Burnside fell back on Knoxville, which was reached on the morning of Nov. 17. On the 18th commenced the siege, which continued until Dec. 5, when General Longstreet marched away in the direction of Virginia. The Union forces followed, and some severe fighting took place at Bean’s Station, and the Twentieth was sent to hold a ford of the Holston near Rutledge, where it became slightly engaged.

Now followed a winter of great severity and privation. All supplies had been cut off since the early part of November and now every pound of rations, forage and clothing had to be hauled in wagons from Camp Nelson, Ky., over almost impassable roads, across mountain ranges and several deep rivers, which amounted to a practical embargo. The men suffered very severely for both food and clothing, but in the very gloomiest part of this modern “Valley Forge” winter most of the regiments re- enlisted for the war. As the Twentieth had not then been in service two years it did not have the opportunity.

From the middle of December to the 16th of January was spent at Blain’s Cross Roads, and the regiment then moved across to Strawberry Plains. It remained there, picketing the river and guarding the bridge, until the 23d, when it moved back toward Knoxville, skirmishing at Strawberry Plains, Flat Creek and at Armstrong’s.

Now followed a period of comparative inaction until past the middle of February, during which time the regiment was encamped at Erie Station, six miles southwest of Knoxville, in a beautiful and healthful locality. From that point the command advanced again about the middle of February, 1864, to Strawberry Plains, then to Mossy Creek and Morristown, where it remained until March 14th, when it marched to the mouth of the Nolichucky and had its last encounter with the enemy in Tennessee. The affair was a slight one, but the conduct of the regiment was all that could be desired and worthy of a much greater occasion. The next day the troops of the Ninth Corps received orders to return to Knoxville en route to the north, to be transferred to the Army of the Potomac. Marching by easy stages, the brigade arrived at Knoxville on the 19th and on the 21st started on its long march over the mountains to Nicholasville, Ky., by way of Clinton, Camp Burnside and Camp Nelson. The march was a very heavy and fatiguing one, but borne with admirable spirit. Proceeding by rail from Nicholasville to Cincinnati and thence over the mountains, the command reached Annapolis, Md., April 11, 1864. Here the new Ninth Army Corps was assembling, made up of the returned veteran regiments and many new regiments. Brigades and divisions were rearranged and the Twentieth found itself in the Second Brigade of General O. B. Willcox’s (3d) division. On April 23d the regiment, now again under the command of Colonel Cutcheon, marched from Annapolis and reached Washington on the 26th, marching in review before the President and the Secretary of War. After encamping near Arlington for two days the division proceeded by way of Fairfax Court House, Centreville, Manassas and Bristow Station to Warrenton Junction, where it remained for a few days, relieving the troops before stationed there of picket and guard duty.

On May 3 the order came for the regiment to march next day to enter on the campaign of 1864. On the 4th it crossed the Rappahannock at the railroad bridge and marched nearly to Culpepper Court House and then countermarched to within about a mile of the Rappahannock. May 5 at noon it crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and took up position in the Wilderness on the right of the Army of the Potomac, the right of the Ninth Corps resting at the “Oxbow” above the ford.

The regiment did not become engaged on the 5th, but on the 6th took an active part in the battle of the Wilderness in the woods south of Wilderness Tavern. On the 7th not actively engaged, but holding the lines on the right of the Second Corps between the right and left wings of the army. May 8 acted as rear guard of the Ninth Corps on the march from

Wilderness Tavern to Chancellorsville. On the 9th the regiment became sharply engaged at the crossing of Ny River, about one and a half miles from Spotsylvania Court House, and again acquitted itself in a way to win the approbation of General Willcox. May 10th, in an advance made at about 6 p. m., the Twentieth was again sharply engaged, and Colonel Cutcheon, commanding, was wounded, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major Geo. C. Barnes, and Captain C. B. Grant became Acting Major. On May 12 the regiment made a charge in line on the rebel works in front of Spotsylvania Court House. The regiment advanced in the most gallant manner, but came at once under a concentrated fire of artillery and musketry, and suffered terribly in killed and wounded. The loss in officers was especially heavy. Captains Carpenter and McCollum and Lieutenant Ainsworth were killed on the field. Lieutenant Gould was mortally and Captains Allen and Lounsberry were very severely wounded. The whole loss in officers and men in this charge was 144, the largest the regiment ever suffered in a single action, though not a larger percentage than on the 18th of June and the 30th of July.

On May 24 and 25 the regiment was again sharply engaged at the attempted crossing of the North Anna River, and on June 2 and 3 at Bethesda Church, in the latter action losing quite heavily. On June 12 commenced General Grant’s great flank movement across the James River from Cold Harbor to Petersburg, a distance of more than fifty miles. On the night of June 15 the Twentieth crossed on the pontoon more than 2,100 feet long, and the next day reached the works around Petersburg. On June 17 it was heavily engaged in an attempt to storm the confederate outer line, and on the 18th made a long charge across an open field, under heavy artillery and musketry fire, again losing very heavily, especially in officers. Captain Dewey and Lieutenant Hicks fell in this charge and the regiment suffered a most severe loss in the mortal wounding of Major Geo. C. Barnes, commanding the regiment. Major Barnes was a most gallant officer, and since he took command, May 10, had demonstrated 011 every field his coolness and courage. He died on the 20th, two days later. The Second Brigade pushed on closer to the rebel main line than any other part of the army, which ground was held to the end of the war and afterward known as “the horseshoe.”

On the fall of Major Barnes, Captain C. B. Grant (immediately promoted Major) assumed command and continued therein until the return of Colonel Cutcheon, July 7, when he resumed command of the greatly depleted regiment. It was only a skeleton of what it had been at the opening of the campaign. It remained in the trenches under close-range fire until July 25, when it was withdrawn until the 30th, when it took part in the bloody and disastrous assault on Petersburg, known as the “Battle of the Crater,” losing in killed, wounded and missing 48 per cent of those who went into action. After this fight it could muster only about 80 men for duty. After a brief rest it again returned to the trenches and continued there until Aug. 19, when it marched about five miles to the left and took part in the battle of Weldon Railroad on Aug. 19 and 21, with only slight loss. On Aug 25 it made a forced march to the relief of General Hancock’s Second Corps, disastrously engaged with the enemy at Ream’s Station. The regiment did not become actually engaged with the enemy, but acted as rear guard for the Second Corps.

After this until Sept. 30 the regiment was engaged in building fortifications on the left of Petersburg, near the Weldon Railroad. Sept. 30 marched about five miles to the left to Poplar Springs Church and took part in action near there, in which Captain Blood and Adjutant Siebert were killed. Oct. 2 again engaged at same place, with slight casualties.

The regiment remained at “Peeble’s Farm,” near Poplar Springs Church, until near the last of November, being engaged Oct. 8 in a reconnaissance in force on the Boydton Plank Road and in the battle of Hatcher’s Run Oct. 27 and 28, with little loss. Oct. 15 Colonel Cutcheon was assigned to the command of the brigade and did not again return to the regiment. In December he was appointed Colonel of the Twenty- seventh Michigan, but continued in command of the brigade until March, 1865. Major C. B. Grant became commander of the Twentieth. About Nov. 30 the regiment, with its division, was transferred to the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, resting on the Appomattox River, and there remained, occupying “Battery Nine,” on the City Point Railroad, until it marched into Petersburg on the morning of April 3, 1865. The lines of the two armies were at this point only about 200 yards apart, and there was more or less firing all the time, though the casualties were not numerous.

On March 25, on the occasion of the assault on and capture of Fort Stedman by General Gordon’s (confederate) Corps, the regiment, then under the command of Captain A. A. Day, rendered conspicuous and gallant service, for which Captain Day was brevetted Major. On April 1 and 2 it took part in active demonstrations on the enemy’s lines, designed to relieve the pressure of General Potter’s attack, on Fort Mahone, on the Jerusalem Plank Road. Before daylight of April 3 it was third in the column that entered Petersburg—the advance of the Union army. Major Lounsberry of the Twentieth, of the staff of Colonel Ralph Ely, then commanding the brigade, received the surrender of the city.

After a few days as Provost Guard the regiment followed the army in pursuit of Lee’s army, but did not get up in time to take part in the surrender. The rest is quickly told. A rapid march to City Point, a trip to Washington by boat, a part in the great review of May 23, 1865, muster out near Georgetown, May 30; return to Michigan and final disbandment on June 4, completed the record of two and three-quarters years of arduous, faithful and patriotic service of this gallant regiment. It was an honor to the state, to the counties in which it was raised and to all who commanded it or served with it.

The above history was compiled by General Byron M. Cutcheon.