History of 8th Illinois Regiment, 1861-1866 Col. R.J. Oglesby's Regiment
Adjutant General's Report
On the 25th day of April, 1861, the Regiment was organized at
Springfield, and mustered in for three months' service. Richard
J. Oglesby, of Decatur, was appointed Colonel. The regiment was
immediately sent to Cairo. Companies A and D, in command of Capt.
Isaac Pugh, were sent to Big Muddy river, to guard the railroad
bridge, as there was danger of its destruction by rebel
sympathizers, to prevent the transportation of troops and
supplies. Relieved by other troops, these companies rejoined the
regiment at Cairo. The regiment remained at Cairo during its term
of service, when it was mustered out.
[Frank
Reed joined the regiment on July 25, 1861.]
July 25th, 1861, the regiment reorganized and was mustered in for
three years' service. It remained at Cairo until October, 1861,
when it was ordered at Bird's Point, Mo. During this time it
received a thorough drill, and attained a high state of
discipline. With other troops it made expeditions to Cape
Girardeau, Commerce, Bloomfield, and Norfolk, Mo., and Paducah
and Blandville, Ky., and joined in the feint on Columbus, Ky., in
January 1862.
The move to Bloomfield is fixed in the memory of the soldiers of
the Eighth by the raid on the rebel Colonel Hunter's well stocked
farm, and the rapid return march from Bloomfield to Cape
Girardeau. In November 1862, the regiment constructed at Bird's
Point extensive and comfortable quarters for the winter.
February 2d, 1862, it was taken up the Tennessee river to a point
near Fort Henry. On the 5th it reconnoitered the enemy's
position, approaching near enough to attack and drive in his
outpost. It was among the first to enter the Fort, after its
reduction by the gunboats.
February 11th, 1862, the movement on Fort Donelson began. The
next day, under command of Lieut. Col. Frank L. Rhoads (Colonel
Oglesby commanding the Brigade), it was in the advance of the
column, where it met a strong outpost of the enemy about noon,
and after a few volleys dislodged and drove them toward their
entrenchment. The regiment was moved towards the Cumberland
river, on a ridge overlooking, in places, the enemy's defenses.
On the 13th moved further to the right, gaining a position still
nearer the enemy. During this night the weather became extremely
cold, and the men suffered greatly- being so near the rebel
picket line no fires could be had. A driving snow-storm set in,
adding to the discomforts of the situation. Many were severely
frost-bitten. On the 14th the regiment was in position near the
Dover road, with pickets thrown well to the front, and in
constant action with those of the enemy. Another night of intense
cold, with sleet and snow was experienced, and at early dawn on
the 15th the enemy came out in massed columns and attacked us.
Our men were quickly in line, and although stiffened and
suffering with the cold, they met the first onset and stood their
ground for about three hours, when, ammunition exhausted and the
brigade to the right giving away, if was forced to retire. The
regiment lost in this battle 57 killed, 191 wounded, and 10
missing. Major John P. Post was captured. Among the killed were
Capt. Joseph M. Hanna and Lieut. Daniel A. Sheetz, F. Co., and
Lieut. Henry Y. Marsh, B. Co., and Lieut. Joseph G. Howell, K
Co., acting adjutant.
On the 6th of March 1862 the regiment embarked for Savannah on
the Tennessee river, and a few days after for Pittsburg Landing.
Here it was in McClernand's Division, and brigaded with the 18th
Illinois, the 11th and 13th Iowa Regiments. The camping ground
was excellent for drill, and the time was well occupied with that
and other camp duties.
Sunday morning, April 6, 1862, when called into line for the
impending battle of Shiloh, there were 25 officers and 453
enlisted men. The regiment was in command of Captain James M.
Ashmore, C Co.; Lieutenant-Colonel Rhoads being absent sick, and
Major Post a prisoner of war. The regiment was moved rapidly to a
position of left of Sherman's Division, and not far from Shiloh
Church. At once it received a fierce attack from the enemy, but
held its ground. Captain Ashmore was wounded and left the field.
Captain William M. Harvey, K Co., next in rank, took command and
nobly lead the regiment until about 10 o'clock A.M., when he
received a shot through his body and died instantly. The fight at
this time was furious and the regiment was forced back, but
recovering and reforming, it drove the enemy back over the ground
it had lost. Captain Robert H. Sturges, H Co., next in rank, took
command, and led the regiment with steady courage throughout the
great battle. At night the regiment lay on the field exposed to
the storm of rain that fell, and ready for the conflict of the
succeeding day. It was in the front lines that early moved
against the enemy on Monday morning, and performed its share in
the battle of the day. Near the close of the second day's fight,
the regiment, with the 18th Illinois, under the immediate orders
of General McClernand, charged upon and captured a rebel battery,
which was pouring a destructive fire upon our lines; some of the
gunners were killed at their posts. The regiment lost at Shiloh
26 killed, 95 wounded and 11 missing. Among those wounded were
Captain Loyd Wheaton, E Co, Lieutenant Geo. S. Durfee, A Co., and
Adjutant Monroe.
When the movement against Corinth began the regiment was in a
brigade under the command of General John A. Logan, and in
McClernand's reserve division. It experienced the fatigues of the
approach, followed closely by the advanced troops, and often
thrown far out to cover the right of the advancing lines.
After the evacuation of Corinth, the regiment marched to Bethel,
Tenn., and thence to Jackson. Here it was brigaded with the 7th
Mo., 63d and 81st Ill., Colonel John D. Stevenson, of the 7th
Mo., commanding the brigade, in General Logan's Third Division.
During the summer it took part in various movements to
neighboring points, and as often as possible pursued its company
and battalion drills. The movement to Bolivar by railroad, and
the march thence to Brownsville, was a picnic, and the boys will
remember the old white horse which was so generously offered to
Colonel Rhoads by the colonel commanding the column.
Returning to Jackson, the regiment was sent down the railroad to
Toones and Medon stations. The two companies at Medon were under
command of Captain Herman Lieb, B Co., and under his direction
put the depot building in splendid condition against attack.
October 2, 1862, the regiment formed a part of a column of troops
hastily organized and marched rapidly to the relief of the army
at Corinth. General Oglesby, the first colonel of the Eighth, was
severely wounded in the battle of Corinth, being in command of
his brigade at the time.
November 10, 1862, the regiment was ordered to LaGrange, Tenn.,
and was in General Logan's Division in the 17th Army Corps, under
General McPherson. It took part in General Grant's movement down
the line of the Miss. Central R.R. The regiment marched as far
south at Oxford, Miss. Very little fighting ocurred, as the enemy
fell back as Grant's army advanced. The cutting of the line of
communication between Columbus and Jackson, and the capture of
Holly Springs and destruction of supplies there collected, caused
Grant to fall back to the Tallahatchie river, and finally to
Memphis. The regiment camped at Tallahatchie about ten days,
subsisting upon such supplies as could be foraged from the
country --corn and molassas being the chief reliance.
January 4, 1863, the regiment broke camp and marched to Grand
Junction, Tenn., arriving on the 9th. There was almost continual
rain and the roads were in terrible condition. On the 12th
started for Memphis/ Reached Lafayette in the midst of a heavy
rain storm and went into camp. The weather turned very cold and
everything was frozen for a day or two, occasioning much
suffering.
Here Col. John P. Post joined the regiment, having been a
prisoner, part of the time in Libby, since the battle of
Donelson. January 19th, 1863, the regiment marched to Memphis and
camped on the Hernando Road just out the city limits.
[February 21, 1863, was the last day Frank Reed was with the
regiment.]
February 22, 1863, embarked on steamer for Lake Providence, La.
Soon after in consequence of high water, the regiment moved camp
to Berry's anding. It performed its share of the ardous work of
cutting a channel throuh Byou Baxter. It went on foraging
expeditions to points on the Mississippi river. When Gen. Grant
determined to run past the rebel batteries at Vicksburg, the
transports selected for the purpose were all but one abandoned by
their crews, and volunteers were called from the army to man
them. Lieuts. William P Sitton, G Co., and Thomas J. McClung, K
Co., and 12 men of the Eighth were among those selected out of
the hundreds that promptly offered their services for the
dangerous undertaking. They were in the "Moderator,"
and passed through the storm of shot and shell with but few
casualties.
April 12th the regiment went to Milliken's Bend, the rendezvous
of most of the troops which were to make the memorial movement
down the river, cross it and attack Vicksburg from the rear.
On the 25th it marched out through Richmond and to Perkins'
Landing, and thence to DeShroon's Landing, and crossed the river
to Bruinsburg, and took part in the stubborn battle of Port
Gibson and the fight at Thompson Hill, in which Captain Elihu
Jones, G Co., was severely wounded. With its brigade the regiment
forded Bayou Pierre, waist deep in water, and pushed on through
Willow Springs and Rocky Springs to Utica. At Raymond the enemy
made a determined stand. They were strongly posted on a hill to
the left of the road and in the deep ravine in front. About 11
o'clock A.M. of May 12th, Logan's Division attacked them, and a
furious battle ensured. The Eighth was moved up the road, the
wagon train being turned aside, and was soon in line of battle,
and won great distinction by charging the enemy and relieving the
center, which was hard pressed. In this engagement it lost one of
its bravest officers, Captain Frank Leeper, A Co., killed. The
other losses were 5 killed and 15 wounded.
May 14th it took part in the capture of Jackson, and on the 16th
the bloody battle of Champion Hill. In this battle the brigade in
which was the Eighth, commanded by Col. John D. Stevenson, was
moved to the extreme right of the line, and, under the immediate
orders of Gen'l Logan, it charged up the hill on its northern
slope and captured a battery of six guns, horses, caissons and
all.
On the night of the 17th, aided in constructing a bridge near Big
Black River, and on the next day crossed and pushed on to
Vicksburg. On the 19th gained a position very near Fort Hill, on
the main Jackson road. On the following day took part in the
general assault which had been ordered by General Grant at 10
o'clock A.M. The regiment did its share of the work incident to
the approach on Fort Hill, and was in the trenches on June 25,
when the mine was fired under the fort ready to push through the
opening it was expected to make and enter the rebel lines. The
interview between Grant and Pemberton was just in front of the
regiment's position. After the surrender on the 4th of July, the
regiment being in Logan's Division, which had approached nearest
to the enemy's works, was among the first of the troops to enter
the town. July 4 the regiment was posted on the Jackson road at
Fort Hill, and acted as guard as the paroled rebel troops passed
out.
August 21, 1863, the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Josiah A.
Sheetz, formed a part of the expedition to Monroe, La., returning
September 2.
October 12, moved with the 17th Army Corps, under General
McPherson, towards Canton, Miss. Near Brownsville, in an
engagement, lost two men wounded.
On the 18th, returned to camp at Vicksburg. Picket guard and
patrol duty and drill occupied the time until February 3, 1864,
when it moved, with the army under General Sherman, to Meridian,
Miss. On the march had several encounters with small bands of the
enemy, and did its share of foraging on the country.
March 24, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran
organization, and was sent on furlough to Camp Butler, Ill.
Teturning to Vicksburg, the veterans of the 17th Ill. Regiment
were consolidated with it, adding to its strength and efficiency.
July 1, formed part of the expedition to Jackson, Miss., under
command of General Elias S. Dennis. Occupied Jackson on the 5th.
Returning towards Vicksburg on the 6th towards night, found the
enemy in considerable force in position to dispute the march, and
skirmished until dark. At daylight the following morning, charged
upon the rebels and drove them from their position, opening the
road and permitting the safe passage of the wagon train. In this
spirited action the casualties were 3 killed, 21 wounded, and 2
missing.
From 29th July to September 3, engaged in the Morganzia
expedition. Embarked for mouth of White river, arriving on the
8th. Remained in camp here until October 18, when the regiment
embarked for Memphis, Tenn. Camped at Fort Pickering until the
29th, and was ordered again to White river.
November 9, proceeded to Du Vall's Bluff, and remained there till
the 28th, when it was again ordered to Memphis.
On the 29th of December, marched to Moscow, returning to Memphis
on the 21st.
January 1, 1865, left Memphis for New Orleans, arriving on the
4th, and camped in the mud at Kennersville.
February 4, moved to Lakeport, and embarked on Lake Pontchartrain
to Dauphin Island at Mobil Bay, being part of the army under
General E.R.S. Canby, organized for the campaign against Mobile.
While here the regiment received a large number of recruits,
making its ranks full. These new men assigned to the different
companies soon learned from the veterans the duties of the
soldier, and made the regiment one of the largest and most
effective in the service. March 17th the regiment crossed the bay
to Navy Cove, and moved with the army on Mobile. On the 26th
reached the vicinity of Spanish Fort and entrenched. For four
days worked in the approaches to the fort, having frequent
engagements with the enemy, and a number of our men were killed
and wounded. On the 30th was ordered towards Blakely, Ala. The
following day camped within four miles of the regimen and worked
in the trenches and extended saps until on the 9th it occupied a
position close up to the rebel works. At 5 o'clock P.M. of the
9th the regiment took part in the grand assault on the fort,
doing gallant service and planting its colors first on the
earthworks. The loss in this charge was Simonson, E Co. On the
12th of April the regiment was sent across the bay, and marching
on the shell road was the first to enter the city of Mobile. Here
it remained, performing patrol and guard duty and undergoing a
thorough company and battalion drill, until May 27th, when it
embarked again for Lakeport.
On the 29th camped on the race course just out the city of New
Orleans. May 31st left the city and proceeded up the Mississippi
and Red rivers to Shreveport, La., arriving on the 9th. On the
16th was ordered to Marshall, Texas, where it remained in camp,
engaged in guard duty and occasional expeditions for the
protection of government property and officials, until late in
fall of 1865, when it was ordered to Alexandria, La. Here it
remained until the spring of 1866.
The regiment was finally ordered to Baton Rouge, Miss., where on
May 4, 1866, it was mustered out and sent to Springfield, Ill.
Arriving at Springfield May 13th, it received its final pay and
was honorably discharged, after a service of five years'
duration.