The 1st Michigan Infantry in 1864
1864 dawned cold and rainy for the 1 st Michigan Infantry, who were in winter quarters at Beverly Ford on the Rappahannock River, just northeast of Brandy Station, Virginia. The three-year veterans’ enlistments were up in 1864, and for any man that would re-enlist in a veteran unit, they would be granted a 30-day furlough. For that furlough to be granted, the regiment had to meet a certain number of re-enlistees. 212 men re-enlisted and were able to visit their homes for 30 days. They returned to camp at Beverly Ford in early April, where they were to prepare for the nearing campaign season. A shift in Army command moved General Ulysses S. Grant was placed in overall command of all Union Armies. General Meade commanded the Army of the Potomac, General Gouverneur K. Warren replaced Sykes as commander of V Corps, and divisions were combined, further restructuring the army. Charles Griffin commanded the 1 st Division, and Joseph Bartlett commanded the 3 rd Bri...