Due to the approaching Confederate regiments under Kershaw, the 1st Michigan within the Tilton Brigade retreated to the woods. The position they were situated in was becoming a danger to the loss of soldiers in an “open” area from being attacked in two different directions. Before they moved, soldiers of the 1st Michigan saw some of their fellow troops and officers fall in the line of fire. They stayed on the battlefield but within a right-angle formation along the Wheatfield Road. Before retreating, they would remain here for the next 30 minutes to an hour, before being pushed out once again, but this time from the Confederate divisions under Wofford and Barksdale. The Confederate forces would push across the Peach Orchard, through the Wheatfield, and towards the slopes of Little Round Top.
With this retreat, the loss of their fellow Michiganians occurred in the height of battle and moving to their new position. It is said that within the 1st Michigan regiment that one officer and four soldiers lost their life. Here are their names that fell at Gettysburg:
- 1st Lt. Amos Ladd, Company K, from Plymouth, Michigan**
- Private Austin Whitman, Company F, from East Saginaw, Michigan
- Private Hiram Sweet, Company E, from Branch County, Michigan
- Private William Hillman, Company C, from Port Huron, Michigan
- Private Hiram Hopkins, Company I, from Marquette County, Michigan
Within the Michigan regiment, a few officers and soldiers were wounded within the fighting of the Stony Hill. In total, there were 6 more officers that were wounded, along with 27 soldiers. Four soldiers were missing, and usually are presumed dead.
There is some information of Lt. Amos Ladd’s death that will be mentioned within the title: Tales of War.