This is the closest I can get to the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Our Version of the history was created from information I collected from different sources.

Private Church

At Fair Oaks, the Second, still under the command of Colonel Poe, is conspicuously marked for bravery. After Fair Oaks, Major Dillman assumed command, Colonel Poe and Lieutant Colonel Williams being on leave of absence.

The Regiment remained at Harrison’s Landing until August 15th 1862, when, in command of Colonel Poe, it took up the march via Charles City in the direction of Williamsburg, reaching there on the 18th. On the 19th marched to Yorktown, the next day embarking on a steamer for Alexandria,reaching there on the 21st, on the 23rd taking a train for Warrenton Junction, from whence it marched to Manassas, arriving there on the 28th at noon. At 3 p.m. left for Centerville, where at Blackburn’s Ford met and engaged the Confederate cavalry, repulsing them, reaching Centerville at 6 p.m.

On August 29th 1862 the regiment, in command of Lieutenant Colonel Dillman, Colonel Poe being in command of the Brigade, continued the march, crossed Bull Run where it was engaged in battle. The Michigan Infantry withdrew from the field, being engaged in protecting the flank and rear of the Brigade from the numerous assaults of the Confederate cavalry, and although several furious charges were made, they were gallantly repulsed, then the march resumed, reaching centerville about 11 p.m.

On Sept. 1st 1862, the Regiment with it’s Brigade, broke camp at Centerville, marching in the direction of Fairfax Court House, when about three miles out, they met the Confederate’s at Chantilly. At 4 p.m., a severe and bloody engagement took place, continuing till dark, which put an end to the contest, the Regiment remaining on picket duty on the battlefield until 3 p.m., then taking up the line of march for Fairfax, arriving there at sunrise. During the remainder of the month the Regiment made several short marches, finally reaching Fort Ward, where it encamped until the 25th, then marched to Upton’s Hill, when in October the Third Corp, in which the Regiment was serving, made a reconnaissance up the Potomac River as far as Edward’s Ferry, Md.

On October 11th 1862 the Regiment with its Brigade, broke camp, marching in the direction of the Chain Bridge, crossing it, continued the march via Tannytown, Rockville and Darnstown, there bivouacked for the night, resuming the march the next morning, then during the forenoon formed line of battle to meet Stuart’s Cavalry. They then proceeded to Edward’s Ferry, reaching there at 7 p.m., encamping for the night. Here it remained on picket duty along the canal until the 28th., when the march was again resumed to White’s Ford, via Poolsville, then crossed into Virginia, Marching in the direction of Leesburg, arriving there on the 31st.

On November 1st the march was continued via Mellville, reaching there on the 3rd, and Waterloo on the 8th. On the 15th the Regiment was transferred from Hiram G. Berry’s Brigade, Birney’s (Photo on Left) Division, Third Corp, to First Brigade, Burns’ Division, Ninth Corp, then joined the command at White Sulphur Springs the same day. The next day they marched to Bealton Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, pushing on to near Warrenton Junction. On the 17th they marched towards Fredricksburg, arriving opposite that place on the 19th., where they were placed on picket duty, on the 21st., they went into camp near Falmouth, when on the 29th. to a point in front of Fredricksburg, where they were placed on duty supporting a battery.

The Regiment crossed the Rappahannock River, on the first day of the battle of Fredricksburg, Dec. 12th, being held in reserve during the engagement, but were shelled by the Confederates, sustaining a loss of 1 killed and 1 wounded, they recrossed the river on the 14th, going into camp on the 16th.