"Michigan" cruised on the Great Lakes during most of the war providing an element of stability and security. On 28 July 1863, a short time after New York City had been seriously shaken by riots, Commander John C. Carter commanding "Michigan" reported from Detroit, "I found the people suffering under serious apprehensions of a riot...The presence of the ships perhaps did something toward overawing the refractory, and certainly did much to allay the apprehensions of the excited, doubting people." During August 1863, "Michigan" was called on for similar service in Buffalo, New York.