This regiment was mustered into service within the first few months of the Civil War in June 1861. They first organized in the fairgrounds south of Grand Rapids, and then left for Washington D.C. on June 13th. This regiment was consisted of soldiers from Kent, Iona, Ingham, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties which surrounding the countryside around Grand Rapids. This first commander of this regiment was Col. Daniel McConnell, pictured below. He had some military experience within the Mexican War.
3rd Michigan Infantry
When they departed for Washington D.C., the 3rd Michigan infantry regiment had 1,040 soldiers and officers. They took the same type of transportation to get from Michigan to Washington D.C. like their previous Michigan regiments. They left Grand Rapids on railroad to Detroit, boarded a steam ship to Cleveland, and then rode the rails the rest of the way to their destination. The 3rd Michigan arrived in Washington D.C. on June 16th, 1861.
The 3rd Michigan was at the battle of Manassas in July 1861, but only in reserves. Due to unpopular interactions with the soldiers and ill health, Col. Daniel McConnell resigned his commission on October 22, 1861. His next in line, Stephen G. Champlin was promoted to colonel the very same day.
Their first real battle was the battle of Fair Oaks or also called Seven Pines in early June 1862. They would have 30 soldiers killed, 124 wounded, and 15 missing. Col. Champlin was wounded in the hip, and received a 30-day furlough, and then returned to commanded the 3rd Michigan. In August 1862, at the 2nd battle of Manassas, his hip injury returned and he went back on medical leave. Due to the injury, a new commander had to be chosen. The commander that started out as Captain Bryon Root Pierce of Company K, would now become Lieutenant Colonel of the 3rd Michigan.
