The Michigan unit was one of three engineering regiments raised in 1861, the other two being Missouri (August 1861) and New York (September 1861).

Engineering units like the First Michigan were often caught up in attacks from enemy guerrillas and cavalry skirmishes.

At Lavergne, Tennessee; just prior to the Battle of Murfreesboro, the First Michigan had one killed, five wounded, four POWs and one missing.

The 1st Michigan saw two men killed, nine wounded, and two missing at the Battle of Murfreesboro (early January 1863).

The unit was active all over middle Tennessee, including Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville from 1862 - 1864, building and repairing railroads, bridges, blockhouses, etc.