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20th Illinois Infantry
in the American Civil War

Online Books:
20th Illinois Infantry Soldier Roster - Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, Volume 2, Revised by Brigadier General J.N. Reece, Adjutant General, 1900       View Entire Book

Regimental History
Twentieth Illinois Infantry. — Cols., C. Carroll Marsh, Daniel Bradley; Lieut.- Cols., William Erwin, Evan Richards, Daniel Bradley, Henry King; Majs., John W. Goodwin, Evan Richards, Frederick A. Bartleson, Daniel Bradley, George W. Kennard, Roland N. Evans. This regiment was organized and went into camp at Joliet, Ill., on May 14, 1861, and on June 13, was mustered into the U. S. service for a term of three years. On June 18 it moved by rail from Joliet to Camp Pope, near Alton, Ill., where it went into camp, and on July 6 moved by boat to the St. Louis arsenal. It had its baptism of fire in the battle of Fredericktown and in Feb., 1862, it was engaged at Fort Donelson, Tenn. In April it participated in the battle of Shiloh as a part of McClernand's division, and was on the right wing of the army in the advance on Corinth, Miss. In September it marched to relieve the troops surrounded at Medon Station, Tenn., and in company with the 30th Ill. volunteer infantry fought the battle of Britton's lane. In May, 1863, it participated in the battle of Port Gibson, Miss., and during the same month engaged in the battle of Raymond, after which it encamped at that place. Two days later it participated in the first battle of Jackson, and was also in the battle of Champion's hill. The following day it was engaged in the battle of Big Black river and then took position with the besieging forces at Vicksburg. It participated in the several assaults on the works and during the entire Vicksburg campaign it was a part of the 1st brigade of Logan's division. From Nov. 6, 1863, to Feb. 4, 1864, it was in camp at the Big Black river, during which time a majority of those composing the regiment reenlisted for three years, and from March 22 to April 22 those who had reenlisted were at home on veteran furlough. Returning to the field, the regiment took position in the left wing of Sherman's army in front of Kennesaw mountain, and from June 8 to July 2 was engaged in the siege of the Confederate position at that place. In July it was engaged in battles in front of Atlanta, being in the 1st brigade, 3d division, 17th army corps, on the extreme left flank of the army, and many of the regiment were surrounded and captured in the battle of July 22. On Nov. 15 it started for Atlanta under Gen. Sherman on the march to the sea, and in Jan., 1865, marched out of Beaufort, S. C, on the Carolina campaign. It captured Pocotaligo and encamped there until Jan. 30, when it continued in the victorious march, and in May marched from Richmond to Alexandria, Va. It took part in the grand review in Washington, D. C, was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 16, 1865, and then moved in a body to Chicago, where the men were paid and the regiment disbanded.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3

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