8th Regiment, Michigan Infantry

Brief History
The 8th Regiment, Michigan Infantry was organized at Grand Rapids and at Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan. It was mustered in September 23, 1861. It mustered out July 30, 1865 at Washington, D.C.

For a history of this regiment see Michigan in the Civil War Websitewhich gives a brief history, places served, battles fought, commanders and company rosters.

For more information on the history of this unit, see:


 * The Civil War Archive section, 8th Regiment Infantry, (accessed 13 July 2012).
 * The Wikipedia article, 8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, (accessed 13 July 2012).

Companies in this Regiment with the Counties of Origin
The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 3,157 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. After many battles, companies might be combined because so many men were killed or wounded. However if you are unsure which company your ancestor was in, try the company recruited in his county first.

Company A - Many men from Genesee County - see Roster

Company B - Many men from Clinton County - see Roster

Company C - Many men from Gratiot County - see Roster

Company D - Many men from Kent County - see Roster

Company E - Many men from Ingham County - see Roster

Company F - Many men from Barry County - see Roster

Company G - Many men from Genesee County - see Roster

Company H - Many men from Montcalm County and Kent County - see Roster

Company I - Many men from Shiawassee County - see Roster

Company K - Many men from Jackson County and Lapeer County - see Roster

Unassigned Company - Many men from Lenawee County - see Roster

See Rosters, as there were men from many different Counties in these Companies.

Other Sources

 * Beginning United States Civil War Research gives steps for finding information about a Civil War soldier. It covers the major records that should be used. Additional records are described in ‘Michigan in the Civil War’ and ‘United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865’ (see below).


 * National Park Service, The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, is searchable by soldier's name and state. It contains basic facts about soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, a list of regiments, descriptions of significant battles, sources of the information, and suggestions for where to find additional information.


 * Michigan in the Civil War describes many Confederate and Union sources, specifically for Michigan, and how to find them. These include compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865 describes and explains United States and Confederate States records, rather than state records, and how to find them. These include veterans’ censuses, compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * Michigan, and George H. Turner. "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861-1865 [Eighth Infantry]" (Lansing, Mich: Michigan Adjutant-General's Dept, 1905). Digital Copy. . Other Libraries.


 * Canty, Cheryl and Wendy Bruce. Diary of Col. William M. Fenton website. Transcription giving daily account of activities of the 8th Regiment Michigan Infantry. (accessed June29, 2011)


 * Fox, Wells B. "What I Remember of the Great Rebellion" (Lansing, Michigan: Darius D. Thorp, Printer and Binder, 1892). Digital Copy. Digital Copy.  .  Other Libraries.


 * Maile, John L. (John Levi). Prison life in Andersonville : with special reference to the opening of Providence Spring. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),