The Fourth Alabama Painting by Don Troiani

Second Brigade, Third Division

Captain W H Withington

Captain W H Withington, commanding Company B, 1st Michigan Infantry

First Michigan Infantry

Mustered in United States service for three months on 1 May, 1861, and arrived at Washington D. C. on 16 May, 1861. Reorganised for three years on 16 September 1861

COLONEL O B WILLCOX
Colonel O B Willcox was assigned to command the Second Brigade, Third Division, and Major A F Bidwell assumed command on 21 July, 1861.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL L L COMSTOCK
Lieutenant Colonel L L Comstock was assigned to the organisation of the 1st Michigan Infantry for 3 years service and Captain C M Lure, Company A, was appointed acting lieutenant colonel on 21 July, 1861.

MAJOR A F BIDWELL
Captain W H Withington, Company B, was acting major on 21 July, 1861.

Company A Detroit Light Guard: CAPT. C M LUM
Captain C M Lure was appointed acting lieutenant colonel and First Lieutenant J D Fairbanks assumed command on 21 July, 1861.
Company B Jackson Greys: CAPT. W H WITHINGTON
Captain W H Withington was acting major and First Lieutenant E B Griffith assumed command on 21 July, 1861.
Company C Coldwater Cadets: CAPT. E BUTTERWORTH
Company D Manchester Union Guard: CAPT. I L CLARKSON
Company E Ann Arbor Steuben Guard: CAPT. W F ROTH
Company F Detroit Hussars: CAPT. H S ROBERTS
Company G Burr Oak Guards: CAPT. I C ABBOTT
Company H Ypsilanti Light Guard: CAPT. F W WHITTLESEY
Company I Marshall Light Guard: CAPT. D HUBBARD
Company K Adrian Cadets: CAPT. W H GRAVES
Unlettered Company Band: band Leader J D Elderkin

Sources

Record of service of Michigan volunteers in the civil war, 1861–1865, Volume 1, by George H Turner

The First Michigan Infantry three months and three years: Brief history of the regiment from it's organisation in May, 1861, until its muster out in July, 1865, together with personal experiences of writer, by C W Owen

Michigan in the war, compiled by J Robertson, Adjutant General

The Union army: A history of military affairs in the loyal states 1861–65, records of the regiments in the Union army, cyclopedia of battles, memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume 3, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan

Notes

The 1st Michigan Infantry was organised at Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan, and was mustered in United States service for three months on 1 May, 1861. The regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington D. C. on 13 May, 1861, and arrived via Cleveland, Ohio, and Baltimore, Maryland, on 16 May, 1861. The 1st Michigan Infantry was ordered across the Potomac River via the Long Bridge, Washington D. C., at 2 AM on 24 May, 1861, and was ordered to proceed to Alexandria, Virginia (See the Occupation of Arlington heights and Alexandria). The regiment encamped near Leesburg Pike, Virginia, and details were assigned to duty to construct Fort Ellsworth, Shuter's Hill, Virginia, during May and June 1861. The 11th New York Infantry, Company G, was ordered to relieve the 1st Michigan Infantry, Company E, on picket duty at Arlington Mills, Virginia, on 1 June, 1861, and was engaged in a skirmish with a squad of nine Virginia State Militia (See the 11th New York Infantry). The Second Brigade, Third, Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, under the command of Colonel O B Willcox, was ordered to proceed along the Old Fairfax Road to Pohick Creek, near Fairfax Station, Virginia, at 10 AM on 16 July, 1861. Colonel O B Willcox proceeded to Elzy's, Virginia, at 5.30 AM on 17 July, 1861, and was ordered to Fairfax Station, Virginia, the same day. The Second Brigade, Third, Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, was ordered to proceed to Centreville, Virginia, on 18 July, 1861. The 1st Michigan Infantry was ordered to Sudley Ford, Virginia, at 2.30 AM on 21 July, 1861. After the first battle of Bull Run the 1st Michigan Infantry was ordered to retreat to Cenreville, Virginia, and proceed to Washington D. C. on 22 July, 1861.

The 1st Michigan Infantry was mustered out on 7 August, 1861, and was reorganised for three years at Ann Arbor, Michigan, during August and September 1861. The regiment was mustered in United States service for three years on 16 September, 1861, and was mustered out at Jeffersonville, Indiana, on 9 July, 1865.

O B Willcox organised the the 1st Michigan Infantry at Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan, and was appointed colonel in May 1861. Colonel B Willcox was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on 21 July, 1861.

Reports

OFFICIAL REPORT NO.46: Series I, Volume 2 (S# 2), Chapter IX, pp. 408–410
Colonel O B Willcox, First Michigan Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, Third Division

OFFICIAL REPORT NO.48: Series I, Volume 2 (S# 2), Chapter IX, pp. 411–413
Major A F Bidwell, First Michigan Infantry