Today

In 1862, Company E, one of 10 companies in the regiment, was raised with volunteers from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, as well as from Jackson and Washtenaw Counties. Since many of the volunteers were students, alumni, or faculty of the Michigan Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) Company E became known as the Normal School Company.

In 1972 the Seventeenth was reactivated as the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company E, Inc., a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the turbulent days of the War Of Rebellion (the official name of the conflict as recorded in the National Archives) by providing educational opportunities for the membership and the public through first-person interpretation and impressions of the common Michigan infantryman, civilian, or politician. Currently, we have members providing first-person interpretation and impressions of the Commander In Chief, the junior US Senator from Michigan, an Assistant  Regimental Surgeon, and a Company Ordnance Sergeant.

For more information about first-person interpretation:  Re-enactor or Historian

Since its reactivation, the 17th has visited schools, colleges, museums, and other public and private institutions to educate the public about the War Of Rebellion (a.k.a. The Civil War, The War Between the Sates, or as the Southern States called it, The War Of Northern Aggression, or America’s Second Revolutionary War). The 17th also attends and sponsors Civil War events to further educate the public on the life of a soldier, civilian, or politician during the war.

To view the 17th at Civil War events:   17th's Reenactments

In many Civil War Re-enactment organizations the civilian aspects of the war years are often overshadowed by the military events. But not in the 17th. Today’s 17th realizes that soldiers were citizens who left their homes and families to support their government in the struggle to re-unite the country. The soldier’s link to home was very important. The men looked forward to letters and packages from home. Mothers, wives, and sweethearts sent food, extra articles of clothing, along with the all-important news of family and friends. Concerned citizens formed soldier’s relief societies to supplement the efforts of the US Sanitary Commission (fore runner of today's American Red Cross), and the US Christian Commission, to protect the soldiers physical and spiritual health. Because of this link, and the fact that the 17th is a family oriented organization, participation by men, women, and children in the portrayal of civilian life is encouraged almost as much as participation by men to portray a Michigan infantryman is encouraged.

Although the 17th does not want to over shadow the civilian aspects of the period with military events, you must be aware that the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E was a military unit, and a major purpose of today’s 17th is preserving that military heritage. This heritage requires that prospective male members are encouraged to join the ranks of fellow infantrymen. As an infantryman, the member is trained to properly load, shoot, and maintain a 58-cal. black powder rifled musket safely. He also learns how to dress, march, drill, perform the manual of arms, and live as an infantry soldier of the 1860’s. This training allows the member to participate in local and national Civil War events as a solider. Once the member has become somewhat proficient (we are always learning something new), in living the life of an infantryman, the member may decide to do a first-person interpretation of a Michigan infantryman for the public. With the military and civilian members working together, the 17th provides a complete picture of the Civil War period.  

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

Being a non-profit educational organization (501-3c), which allows contributions to be Tax deductible on Federal income tax returns, the 17th has been able to raise funds for the preservation of our Civil War heritage by placing historical markers at sites of the original regimental engagements, providing the moneys needed to preserve Michigan's Civil War battle flags, and preserve the battlefields where the 17th fought and died.

To view the 17th's Preservation efforts:  Preservation Efforts

A five member Board of Trustees (elected for two-year terms) oversees the corporate business of the 17th. Military officers (i.e Captain) and NCOs, are elected yearly. Business meetings are generally on Sunday evenings (second Sunday) once a month (3 in the spring and 3 in the fall). Meetings are held at Historic Geenmead Village, Livonia, Michigan.

To view the 17th's Organization and Corporation's ByLaws:    Organization

17th Michigan Participating in Historic Greenmead Village's Annual Hanging of the Greens"

Since 1997, the 17th and Livonia's  Greenmead Historic Village have been working in a collaborative relationship to further the effort to educate the public on the life of a soldier, civilian, and politician during the Civil War.

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