The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Regiment was a group of soldiers who fought in the Union Army's Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. This unit is known for being the first group to capture Petersburg, Virginia, on April 3rd, 1865. This event marked the end of the Petersburg Campaign and the beginning of the Appomattox Campaign.

Service

The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters was formed in Kalamazoo and Dearborn, Michigan, from April 14 to October 7, 1863. Six companies joined the Union Army on July 7, 1863, and served for three years.

Charles Victor DeLand, a journalist and politician from Jackson, Michigan, was appointed as a captain in "C" Company of the 9th Michigan Infantry on October 15, 1861. He left his position on November 15, 1862. On July 7, 1863, he became a colonel in the Field & Staff of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters and was responsible for organizing the regiment. He fought in many battles during the Western Campaigns, was wounded three times, and was captured twice. His name, along with other soldiers under his command, is carved on a stone monument at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. The monument, created by artist Frank D. Black, was approved by the state legislature and paid for by surviving members of the regiment. It was dedicated on October 1, 1915.

Colonel DeLand was discharged due to wounds on February 4, 1865. His service record includes:
• Prisoner of War on July 13, 1862, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• Paroled on November 15, 1862 (location not stated)
• Wounded on May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia
• Joined the regiment on July 15, 1864 (location not stated)
• Wounded on July 30, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia
• Prisoner of War on September 30, 1864, at Poplar Springs Church, Virginia (paroled)
• Wounded on September 30, 1864, at Poplar Springs Church, Virginia

• Promoted to colonel on January 1, 1863 (as part of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters)
• Appointed a brigadier general on March 14, 1865, by brevet

Other details: Charles Victor DeLand was born on July 25, 1828, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, and died on September 21, 1903, in Jackson, Michigan. Sources used include Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65, Dyer: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue, and Heitman: Register of United States Army 1789-1903.

Major John Piper, from Battle Creek, originally served as a captain in Company D of the Western Sharpshooters (W.S.S.) Regiment, known as "The Michigan Boys." He left the W.S.S. to become a major in the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. He was killed during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 13, 1864.

The first six companies were sent to Seymour, Indiana, to stop the Morgan Raid. They faced raiders at North Vernon on July 13 and at Pierceville on July 14. After repelling the raid, the regiment returned to Dearborn, trained there until August 16, and then moved to Chicago to guard prisoners of war until March 17, 1864. The regiment was ordered to Annapolis, Maryland, on March 17.

Company K was mostly made up of Native Americans from the United States, including members of the Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations. Although some soldiers had repeating rifles or breech-loaders, most used Springfield Model 1861 rifled muskets. The unit was known for its skill in skirmishing, infiltration, and marksmanship.

The regiment was highly trained, and the Native American soldiers in Company K were especially recognized for their ability. In their first major battle at The Wilderness, they performed well.

The regiment was praised for its dependable and effective service. It provided valuable sniping and harassment fire during the Siege of Petersburg. It was noted for its "splendid work" during the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. Many Union soldiers saw Native American soldiers from Company K, who, when mortally wounded, "drew their blouses over their faces, chanted a death song, and died — four of them a group."

The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters was among the first units to enter Petersburg after it fell on April 1, 1865.

The regiment was part of the following units:
• 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, IX Corps, Army of the Potomac, until September 1864
• 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps, until July 1865

The detailed service record of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters includes:
• Formed in Kalamazoo and Dearborn, Michigan, until July 7
• Six companies sent to stop the Morgan Raid, a major Confederate attack in Indiana, on July 7
• Fought at North Vernon, Indiana, on July 13
• Fought at Pierceville on July 14
• Returned to Dearborn on July 15
• Guarded prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, Chicago, until March 7, 1864

• Ordered to Annapolis on March 17
• Served in Annapolis until April 23, 1864
• Participated in the Overland Campaign from May 4 to June 15
• Fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5–7, in Christ’s 2nd Brigade, Wilcox’s 3rd Division, Burnside’s IX Corps. Lost 25 men: 11 killed or died of wounds,

Total strength and casualties

The regiment had 6 officers and 131 enlisted men who died from injuries or were killed in action. Additionally, 165 enlisted men died from disease. In total, 362 people from the regiment died.

Commanders

• Colonel Charles Victor DeLand officially led the regiment from its first gathering until he left due to a disability on February 4, 1865. Due to injuries, being imprisoned as a prisoner of war, time in the hospital, and short periods as a brigade commander, he was not in active command for the entire time. DeLand was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General for "faithful, gallant, and meritorious service" on March 14, 1865.
• Captain Levant Rhines actively led the regiment from May 14, 1864, until he was killed in battle on June 17, 1864. He was promoted to major after his death.
• Captain Elmer Dicey actively led the regiment after Rhines' death until July 15, 1864. He also led the regiment during the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864, when he was captured.
• Captain George Murdock actively led the regiment from September 30, 1864, when Colonel DeLand was wounded and captured, until November 1864. He resigned on December 12, 1864. Murdock was promoted to Brevet Major on December 4, 1864.
• Major Asahel Nichols actively led the regiment from November 12, 1864, until February 1865, when he took full command. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in March and remained in command until April 2, 1865, when he was seriously wounded. He was promoted to Brevet Colonel for his "conspicuous gallantry" on that day.
• Several officers briefly led the regiment during the battle on April 2, 1865, including Captain James DeLand and Captain Leverette C. Case, who took command after DeLand was wounded. Both men were promoted to Brevet Major for their actions that day.
• Captain (later Brevet Major) Ira Evans led the regiment from April 3 until April 27, 1865.
• Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Buckbee led the regiment from April 27 until the Sharpshooters left the military on July 28, 1865.

Notable Members

• Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Harrison Beadle – Original lieutenant colonel of the regiment. He moved to the Veterans Reserve Corps because of illness and later became a brigade commander in the Washington D.C. area. He was given the rank of Brigadier General. After the war, he became president of Dakota State University.
• Captain Charles G. Conn, Company H – Founder of C.G. Conn Ltd., an instrument company. He was one of just six men to be awarded the silver star on the Civil War Campaign Medal after the war.
• First Sergeant Charles H. De Puy, Company H – Operated cannons in a Confederate fort during the Battle of the Crater.
• Corporal Sidney Haight, Company E – Instead of retreating, he put himself in danger by facing Confederate gunfire. He stayed in the captured position and fired back intentionally until the enemy was close to him.
• Private Charles M. Thatcher, Company B – Instead of retreating or surrendering when the fortifications were taken, he continued to fire at the enemy without worrying about his own safety until he was captured.
• Corporal Benjamin Franklin Young (Benjamin F. Youngs) – Captured the flag of the 35th North Carolina Infantry (Confederate States Army).