St. Joseph County’s Civil War Soldiers
Many valiant St. Joseph County citizens joined the war effort and served not only in Michigan units but regiments in other states as well. Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived, though not always.
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Over 90,000 men from Michigan served in the war. Including around 1,600 black soldiers, and a Native American unit in the 1st MI Co. K. Sharpshooters.
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Michigan mustered 34 Infantry regiments, 11 cavalry regiments, 1 sharpshooter regiment, one engineer regiment, and other independent units.
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The 1860 census has these soldiers composing 25% of Michigan's population.
Michigan regiments with St. Joseph County soldiers enlisted include but are not limited to:
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1st Cavalry
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1st MI Light Artillery
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1st MI Mechanics and Engineers
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1st MI Sharpshooters
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1st U.S. Lancers (Cavalry)
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2nd organization of the 1st infantry through the 3rd infantry
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4th-10th Infantry (1st Organization)
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2nd Cavalry
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4th Cavalry-11th Cavalry
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6th Regiment Heavy Artillery
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8th Cavalry
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11th Infantry
The Battle Flag of the 11th Michigan Infantry during the Atlanta Campaign. - Source: Used with permission from Save The Flag.
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11th Light Artillery
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16th-22nd Infantry
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23rd-30th Infantry
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102nd U.S. Colored Troops
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Capt. Howland’s Independent Co. Engineers & Mechanics
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Chandler Horse Guards, Cavalry
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Hall’s Independent Battalion Sharpshooters
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Thirteenth & 14th Battery, Independent Light Artillery
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Provost Guards, Infantry
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Capt. Chadwick’s Engineer Recruits, Volunteers
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United States Navy
A recruitment poster for the Burr Oak Guard (Company G, of the 1st Michigan Infantry).
Learn more about St. Joseph’s History
Plenty has happened in St. Joseph since these men fought against the Confederacy. Visit our homepage to learn more about how the county has recovered since the Civil War.