 The 7th Michigan Infantry was organized at Monroe, Michigan and mustered into Federal service for a three-year enlistment on August 22, 1861.Among the ranks was future brigadier general Henry Baxter, who was captain of Company C.

The 7th was assigned to the Army of the Potomac soon after it was formed and served in the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, for the duration of the war.Sister regiments in the 3rd Brigade included the 19th Massachusetts, 20th Massachusetts, 42nd New York, and 59th New York.