Being a non-profit educational organization, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E., Inc., has been able raise funds from public donations and membership dues to continue the effort initiated by General Withington in honoring those who served in the Civil War.   These efforts include but not limited to:

• Preservation of Michigan battle flags located in Lansing, Michigan.

• Establishing historical markers at sites of the original regiment engagements.

• Assist in the ongoing restoration  of Detroit's Historic Fort Wayne.

• Preservation of Civil War battlefields located across the country.

Save the Flags Adoption Program

The Save the Flags adoption program is part of the Michigan Capitol Battle Flag Collection.  It's goal is to preserve the state’s collection of historic battle flags.  Much of the money needed to do this is through groups, individuals or families who may donate the money and adopted a flag to be preserved.  By contributing these needed funds, The 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc. is playing a key role in the preservation of these very important historical artifacts.  Over the past ten years the group has adopted the following flags:

                        17th Michigan 1st National flag (SC-63-90) was adopted in 1993.
Under this flag three Congressional Medals of Honor were won.  On May 12, 1864 the flag was captured at Spottsylvania, Virginia by the 37th North Carolina Regiment.  At this action the 17th suffered heavily for their efforts. 

                    17th Michigan Regimental flag (SC-75-90) fragmentary, was adopted in 2001.
Only a portion of this fragile flag remains today.  It's condition is a result of some of battle damage, but mostly from the common practice of Civil War Veterans after the war of "souveniring," (taking pieces of the flag they fought under during the war) as souvenirs.

                    17th Michigan 2nd National flag (SC-76-90) was adopted in 2004.
This flag has many battle honors painted on it which shows the fierce combat the Regiment passed through.  These battle honors include Antietam, Fredericksburg, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Lenoir Station, Campbell’s Station, the siege of Knoxville, Thurley’s Ford, Strawberry Plains, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad and the siege and capture of Petersburg.

                    17th Michigan Swallowtails (flank markers) (SC-62-90) were adopted in 2006.
Flank marking flags were carried by sergeants and were posted at each end of the regiment in the line of battle.

In 1986, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc., erected a Michigan Historic Site marker at the South Mountain Battlefield in Braddock Maryland. This state marker honors the 982 officers and men of the 17th who's heroic charge and capture of a Confederate brigade at Fox’s Gap earned them the nickname, The Stonewall Regiment. Three days latter they participated in the bloodiest single day in U.S. history.......... Antietam.

In 1997, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc., placed a marker at Spotsylvania National Military Park, Fredericksburg, Virginia, to honor the men of the 17th to fought and died at the battle of Fredericksburg on May 12, 1864.

Marker Dedication at Campbell’s Station (now Farragut) Tennessee

In 2002, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc., placed a marker at Campbell’s Station (now Farragut) Tennessee, to honor two members of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, who were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle at Campbell’s Station on November 16, 1863.

Historic Fort Wayne is one of the remaining 14 forts built in the 1840's to defend the United States from British attacks form Canada.  The fort was used for many purposes throughout its 130 years of active service as a military installation.   One purpose, which began with the Civil War and remained throughout its active service, was being an induction and training center for the state of Michigan.

Image of the 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment in Fort Wayne

In 1861, Michigan Governor Blair, upon hearing President Lincoln's call for 750,000 volunteers to put down the Southern Rebellion, ordered the creation of the 1st Regiment of Michigan Infantry at Fort Wayne. One of the officers, Captain William H. Withington was captured at the First Battle of Bull Run,  exchanged, and returned to Michigan to become Colonel Withington of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. 

In 2006, in an effort to help preserve the fort, the 17th  donated the  funds to purchase the materials to rebuild one of the five casement covers in desperate need of repair. 

Progress in the rebuilding of the casement funded by the 17th.

In October, 2008, the Historic Fort Wayne Collation , which provided  the "manpower," completed the rebuilding of the casement cover #4  in the Star Fort!  Note: Many of the members of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc.,  are also members of the Fort Wayne Collation.

Map of the South Mountain Battlefield illustrating deployment of Union and Confederate Forces on September 11,1862  and areas (in yellow) now in danger of being lost to Urban Development.

With the contribution of funds to the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) for the purchase of one (1) acre of the South Mountain Battlefield in danger of being purchased for real estate development in 2002, the 17th Michigan began the process of sending contributions to save more endangered battlefield land.

In 2004, following the contribution of funds for the purchase of a portion of the Appomattox Court House Battlefield, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E, Inc., became a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT). And as a member, continues to contribute money to the CWPT to help preserve some of our country's most sacred ground.

Allan Kohring, President and Captain of the 17th Michigan Inc., receiving "Best Civil War Reenacting Unit Award."

On April 14, 2007, the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E, Inc., was honored by the Civil War Preservation Trust with the "Best Civil War Reenacting Unit Award for 2007.  The award was presented to Allan Kohring, President and Captain of the 17th Michigan by Cricket Bauer Pohanka, and Jim Lighthizer, President of the CWPT.  The award recognizes the efforts, financial as well as educational, the 17th has exhibited in preserving the physical artifacts and history of the "War of Rebellion" since its inception.

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