See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/102nd_United_States_Colored_Infantry_Regiment

MICHIGAN First Colored Infantry. Governor Austin Blair was authorized in July, 1863, by the Secretary or War to organize one regiment of Infantry composed of colored men. The officers were appointed by the Secretary of War as fast as the different companies were recruited and mustered into service. Henry Barnes, Esq., of Detroit, was authorized by Governor Blair to raise the regiment and recruiting commenced August 12, 1863, and the regiment was mustered into service at its rendezvous in Detroit, Feb. 17, 1864, with an enrollment of 895 officers and men. The field, staff and line officers at organization were as follows: Colonel, Henry Barnes, Detroit. Lieutenant Colonel, William T. Bennett, Charleston, S. C. Major, Newcom Clark, Clarkston. Surgeon, Wesley Vincent, Oberlin, Ohio. Assistant Surgeon, Edward P. Jennings, -----. Adjutant, James A. McKnight, Ann Arbor. Quartermaster, Patrick McLaughlin, Detroit. Chaplain, William Waring, Oberlin, Ohio. The companies were as follows: A. Captain, Chester J. Murray, Marshall. First Lieutenant, Orson W. Bennett, Charleston, S. C. Second Lieutenant, George A. Southworth, Bath. B. Captain, David C. Benjamin, Columbus, Ohio. First Lieutenant, Henry D. Benham, ----. Second Lieutenant, Peter E. Mead, Ypsilanti. C. Captain, Jonathan B. Tuttle, Alpena. First Lieutenant, Edward Cahill, St. Johns. Second Lieutenant, Charles L. Burrell, Leighton. D. Captain, Arad E. Lindsay, ----. First Lieutenant, Abner Van Dyke, Marshall. Second Lieutenant, Wm. E. Sleight, Bath. E. Captain, Edward J. McKendrie, Detroit. First Lieutenant, Amos Andrews, New York City, N. Y. Second Lieutenant, Oscar A. Davis, Savannah, Ga. F. Captain, James F. Bradley, Chicago, Ill. First Liet1tenant, Samuel B. Curtiss, Howell. Second Lieutenant, Caleb Griffith, Lowell. G. Captain, -------, ----. First Lieutenant, Edward S Jewett, Niles. Second Lieutenant, James H. Gilbert, ----. H. Captain, Thomas M. Barker, Grand Rapids. First Lieutenant, Emery D. Bryant, Grand Rapids. Second Lieutenant, Volney Powers, Hillsdale. I. Captain, Wilber Nelson, Arcada. First Lieutenant, Gilman T. Holmes, Gaines. Second Lieutenant, Edward Dubendorf, Coldwater. K. Captain, Calvin S. Montague, Kalamazoo. First Lieutenant,-------, ----. Second Lieutenant, George W. Stoneburner, Grand Rapids. "Our hearts are aflame as our good swords we bare-For Freedom! for Freedom! echoes the air, The bugle rings clearly, our banners float high; On, comrades, all forward! we'll triumph or die!" The First left the state March 28, 1864, for Annapolis, Md., where it joined the Ninth corps. It was soon detached and sent by transports to Hilton Head, S. C., where it arrived on the 19th of April. During the next two months the different companies were on picket duty at St. Helena and Jenkins Islands, and on Hilton Head Island. The regiment then occupied Port Royal and assisted in constructing fortifications and other fatigue duty. In August the First was sent to Jacksonville, Fla., and then marched to Baldwin, where it did picket duty and destroyed railroad tracks. It was attacked by the enemy, and during the engagement the regiment convinced its officers that the men could be relied upon when serious service was demanded. After a long march through eastern Florida the First embarked on transports at Magnolia for Beaufort, S. C., and arrived the 31st. In September the First was sent to different points on Coosa and Port Royal Islands, and in October the enemy attempted to surprise and capture the regiment, but was repulsed and driven off. November 30, 1864, a detachment of 300 of the First joined the forces under General Foster, at Boyd's Landing, and engaged the enemy at Honey Hill, S. C., Tillifinny, and at Deveaux Neck. At Gorhamsville the detachment of the First fought a sanguinary battle with the enemy and received the highest commendation of the officers in command for the determination the regiment displayed in holding its ground under a severe fire and in repulsing a charge and charging in turn. The artillery of the expedition suffered severely from the enemy's fire, and so many horses had been killed that two guns had to be abandoned, but were hauled off the field by hand by the First and saved. Many of the men, though wounded and bleeding, refused to go to the rear and fought until the battle was concluded. The regiment was reunited at Pocatalligo in February, 1865, and made several expeditions in the enemy's country, driving off his cavalry and destroying railroads and building breastworks. It was then sent to Charleston, where it built defenses and then embarked for Savannah, Ga., and returned to Charleston again on the 9th of April. Here the regiment was divided, each wing making daring incursions to the interior of the state, meeting the enemy in several severe skirmishes, but beating him in each engagement. The 29th of May, General Lee and General Johnson having surrendered, the regiment proceeded to Charleston, and for the next few months occupied Summerville, Branchville, Orangeburg, Winnsboro, and returned to Charleston, where it was mustered out Sept. 30, and arrived at Detroit, Mich., where it was paid and disbanded Oct. 17, 1865. It was in engagements during its term of service at Baldwin, Fla., August 8, 1864; Honey Hill, S. C., November 30, 1864; Tullifinny, S. C., December 7, 1864; Deveaux Neck, S. C., December 9, 1864; Cuckwold's Creek Bridge, February 8, 1865; Sumterville, S. C., April 8, 1865; Spring Hill, S. C., April 15, 1865; Swift Creek, S. C., April 17, 1865; Boykin's, S. C., April 18, 1865; Singleton's Plantation, S. C., April 19, 1865. Total enrollment...........................................1673 Killed in action..............................................5 Died of wounds................................................7 Died of disease.............................................116 Discharged for disability (wounds and disease)..............114

United States Colored Troops 102nd Infantry (Union)

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