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3rd Illinois Cavalry
in the American Civil War
Online Books:
3rd Illinois Cavalry Soldier Roster - Report of the Adjutant
General of the State of Illinois, Volume 7, Revised by Brigadier General J.N.
Reece, Adjutant General, 1900
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Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Third Illinois Cavalry. — Cols., Eugene A. Carr,
Lafayette McCrillis; Lieut. - Cols., Lafayette McCrillis, James M.
Ruggles, Robert H. Carnahan; Majs., James M. Ruggles, John McConnell,
Louis D. Hubbard, James H. O'Connor, John L. Campbell. This regiment was
composed of twelve companies, coming together from various localities in
the state. Co. A was raised in Sangamon, B in Tazewell, C in Cass, D in
Bond, E in Saline and Gallatin, F in Adams, G in Brown, H in Fulton, I
in McLean, K in Livingston, L in Macoupin, M in Christian and adjoining
counties, making a grand total of company officers and enlisted men,
under first organization, of 1,433. The regiment was organized at Camp
Butler in Aug., 1861, was mustered in for three years, and remained
there under instruction and drill until Sept. 25, at which date it moved
to St. Louis, Mo. In Feb., 1862, the regiment went into camp about 8
miles from Springfield, when Maj. Ruggles asked and obtained leave to
advance with his battalion 4 miles further on, where the enemy was met,
the first engagement fought, and the first victory won in the Curtis
campaign, by the 3d battalion of the 3d cavalry. At Sugar creek, a few
days later, the 3d battalion participated in a cavalry charge, routing
the enemy. The entire regiment was engaged all of the first day at the
battle of Pea ridge, doing good service, and in the three days'
desperate struggle it performed its full share in the achievement of the
victory, losing 10 killed and 40 wounded. A week later it made a flying
visit to Fayetteville, Ark., driving out the enemy from that place. In
July the regiment marched with the army to Helena, following down the
course of the White river, and arrived at its destination on the 15th,
after ten days of marching, fighting, starving and famishing for water,
the supplies and communications having been cut off and the country laid
waste by the enemy. Arriving at Chickasaw bayou, during Sherman's
movement on Vicksburg, the regiment was detailed for picket duty and
escorts for commanding generals, and did good service in the disastrous
attack on Haynes' bluff — Cos. A, K, L and M being the last troops to
embark after the battle. Retiring from the bayou, the regiment moved up
the river with the expedition in command of Gen. McClernand against
Arkansas Post, where a lively battle was fought, nearly 5,000 prisoners
captured, valuable service being rendered by the 3d cavalry, which
returned with the victorious army to Vicksburg. Cos. A, G, K and E took
an honorable part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's hill, Black
River bridge and the siege of Vicksburg. On Aug. 16, 1863, the same
battalion was assigned to Brig.-Gen. Lee's cavalry division, taking part
in the western Louisiana campaign, and fighting at Vermilionville,
Opelousas and Carrion Crow bayou. After leaving Vicksburg the other two
battalions of the regiment were engaged in active service along the line
of the Memphis & Charleston railroad, participating in the battles of
Tupelo, Okolona, Guntown, Salem, and other engagements. In the month of
July, 1864, a large portion of the regiment reenlisted as veterans. The
regiment took part in the repulse of Gen. Forrest in his daring raid on
Memphis on the night of Aug. 21. On Aug 24, the non-veterans having been
mustered out, the veterans were consolidated into six companies. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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