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27th Michigan Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized at Port Huron, Ovid and Ypsilanti, Mich., and mustered in April 10, 1863.1
Muster Out: Mustered out July 26, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel William B. Wright
Commander Image

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Waite
CharlesWaite27thMIv53p26243

Captain Edward S. Leadbeater
Commander Image

Captain Richard Vosper
Commander Image

Captain James Dafoe
Commander Image

Commander 6
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army4,5

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army9,10

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army15,16

  • Commander: Captain Edward S. Leadbeater (July 31, 1864)17
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: 1st and 2nd Companies Michigan Sharpshooters attached.18,19

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army20,21

  • Commander: Captain Richard Vosper (August 31, 1864)22
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 1st and 2nd Companies Michigan Sharpshooters were attached to the 27th Michigan during this time. 23,24

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army25,26

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army30,31

  • Commander: Captain James Dafoe (October 31, 1864)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: 1st and 2nd Companies Michigan Sharpshooters attached.33,34

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army35

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles Waite (December 31, 1864)36
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: 1st and 2nd Companies Michigan Sharpshooters attached.37

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles Waite (January 31 & February 28, 1865)40,41
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: 1st and 2nd Companies Michigan Sharpshooters attached.42,43

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army44,45,46

  • Commander: Colonel Charles Waite (March 31, 1865)47
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865. However, the First Brigade is called out for having not been actively engaged, and the record shows no casualties.48

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles49:

  • Before Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2. 1865.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 1864.
  • Weldon Railroad August 18-21.
  • Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2.
  • Reconnoissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Roads October 8.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • Fort Stedman March 25, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on Fort Mahone and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Occupation of Petersburg April 3.
  • Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    3. Charles Waite image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 53, Page 2624.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA.
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230
    5. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550
    6. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 95; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    7. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 95; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230
    10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550
    12. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 95; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    13. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 95; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 260
    16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 260
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 127: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)”
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 127: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)”
    25. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1301.
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 141: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)”
    27. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 90; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    28. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 27th Michigan Entry, Page 90; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    29. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 141: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)”
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 462: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 157: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864”
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 462: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 462: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 157: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864”
    35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    37. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 331: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 331: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    41. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    42. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 331: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    43. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    44. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    45. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 70: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Fort Stedman… (March 25, 1865)”
    46. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 588: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    47. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    48. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 70: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Fort Stedman… (March 25, 1865)”
    49. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    { 4 comments… add one }
    • D.G. Stock February 4, 2017, 8:53 am

      Thank you for all the infro. My Great Grandfather Sgt. William Tresise, Co. C, 27th Mich. Inf. Regt. was wounded July 30th 1864, at the “Crater”

    • Gary V. Hodge July 24, 2017, 6:13 pm

      My great, great grandfather’s brother, William D. Hodge, Second Corporal, served in Company I of the 27th Michigan Infantry Regiment. I am searching for any and all records of his service at Petersburg and other engagements. Thank you.

    • Andrew Muras July 29, 2019, 9:16 pm

      Note for D.G. Stock – if you can reach him. We recently found copies of handwritten memoirs of my wife’s ancestor, James Moynahan, who was also in 27th Co C and wounded at Petersburg. We’re working to transcribe. He’s mentioned William Tresise several times. They came in together as a group of 6 at Copper Harbor and mentions they had a pact to be messmates and comrades throughout the war.

    • William Hines December 17, 2021, 9:43 am

      I’m looking for information on any of the Hines brothers in Michigan’s Regiments. William Hines was a sharpstooter in the 27th 2nd.

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