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7th Illinois Infantry (3 years)
in the American Civil War
Online Books:
7th Illinois Infantry (3
years) Soldier Roster - Report of the Adjutant
General of the State of Illinois, Volume 1, Revised by Brigadier General J.N.
Reece, Adjutant General, 1900
View
Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Seventh Illinois Infantry (Three Years' Service). — Cols., John
Cook, Andrew J. Babcock, Richard Rowett ; Lieut. -Cols., Andrew J.
Babcock, Nicholas Greusel, Richard Rowett, Hector Perrin; Majs.,
Nicholas Greusel, Richard Rowett, James Monroe, George H. Estabrook,
Edward S. Johnson. This regiment was mustered for three years' service
July 25, 1861, and proceeded to Ironton, Mo., where it joined the
command of Brig.-Gen. B. M. Prentiss. It was with the reconnoitering
expedition under Gen Grant in the rear of Columbus, Ky., and during the
battle of Belmont was sent to Elliott's mills, just above Columbus. On
Feb. 3, 1862, it embarked for Fort Henry and on the 12th for Fort
Donelson, taking part in the investment and siege of that place, being
in the last charge on the left of the enemy's works with a loss of 3
killed and 19 wounded. It was engaged at the battle of Shiloh as a part
of Col. Sweeney's brigade of Gen. W. H. L. Wallace's division ; went
into action between 9 and 10 a. m. on April 6 and first took position on
Duncan's field ; drove the enemy in its front across the field but was
in turn driven back ; was in the line that repulsed the last charge of
the enemy that day, and was advanced to a picket line and remained there
until relieved by Gen. Buell's command near daylight next morning. It
went into action before noon on the 7th and was hotly engaged when the
enemy retreated at 3 p. m. In this battle the regiment lost 2
commissioned officers and 15 men killed and 79 wounded. It was engaged
up to May 30 with the 3d brigade, 2nd division, and in the center of the
right wing, moved upon Corinth, meanwhile having several skirmishes with
the enemy. At the battle of Corinth in Oct., 1862, the regiment was
engaged both days on the right of the 3d brigade, still in the 2nd
division, losing 2 commissioned officers and 6 men killed, 46 wounded
and 21 prisoners, who were afterward exchanged and returned to duty. On
Dec. 18, it marched to Lexington, Mo., in pursuit of guerrillas. On
April 15, 1863, it marched with Gen. Dodge's command through Iuka,
Glendale and Burnsville to Bear creek, on the Alabama line, where two
days later it drove the enemy from the creek, and as soon as the cavalry
had crossed, Cos. C and K pushed forward at a double-quick in support of
the battery. The 7th, on the right, killed 12 of the enemy and captured
2 prisoners. On April 28 it crossed Town creek, drove the enemy for 3
miles, and remained on the ground during the night with the 2nd Ia.
infantry, losing during the expedition, 1 man killed by accident. From
July 26 to Aug. 5 it was on an expedition in which it captured 42
prisoners, including 1 colonel and 2 captains, also many horses and
mules, losing 1 man, accidentally killed. With 100 men of the 10th Mo.
cavalry it again went out and had several skirmishes, capturing 20
prisoners. On Sept. 26 it commenced a four days' expedition with the 7th
Kan. cavalry and had some very brisk skirmishes, capturing 30 prisoners
and several horses and mules. On Oct. 26, it proceeded to Iuka and there
guarded approaches until Nov. 6, when it marched to Eastport, crossed
the Tennessee river, moved on the flanks of Dodge's command, capturing
horses, etc., and fighting guerrillas until Nov. 12, when it camped at
Pulaski. On Nov. 17 to 19, it scouted to and beyond Lawrenceburg,
capturing 30 prisoners, and on the 21st it was ordered to Corinth, but
returned to Pulaski, capturing 25 prisoners. The 7th infantry reenlisted
as veterans at Pulaski, Dec. 22, 1863, was mustered in Jan. 6, 1864, and
left immediately for Illinois on a 30 days' furlough. Returning to the
scenes of carnage the regiment was divided into three detachments — four
companies at Florence, two at Sweetwater, and four at Center Star. On
the morning of May 7, Gen. Roddey's Confederate brigade crossed the
Tennessee, between Sweetwater and Center Star, and attacked the
companies at Florence and Sweetwater. After 6 hours' severe fighting
against ten times their number, the companies were obliged to retire
with a loss of 3 officers and 32 men wounded and captured. On May 13,
the regiment returned with the 9th Ohio cavalry and drove the
Confederates across the Tennessee, capturing a number of prisoners. On
July 29 the non-veteran officers and men were mustered out by reason of
expiration of term of service. On Oct. 3, 1864, the 4th division, 15th
army corps (to which the 7th was attached), was ordered to Allatoona to
assist in the defense of that important station, then threatened by
Hood's army. On the morning of the 5th the works were attacked by Gen.
French's Confederate division, numbering 6,000 men. The 7th, armed with
the Henry rifle (or 16-shooter), did gallant and fearful work,
successfully repelling four separate charges made by the desperate and
hungry enemy on the line, though its torn and bleeding ranks told at
what a fearful cost. Its colors, under which fell many a gallant bearer
that day, were never lowered. Thirty-eight men were killed and 67
wounded. The enemy, unable to stand against this gallant little band of
defenders, fled, leaving a large number of dead and wounded on the
field. The regiment then joined Sherman, accompanied him to the sea and
up through the Carolinas, participating in the battles of Salkahatchie
swamp, Bentonville and Columbia. It was mustered out at Louisville, Ky.,
July 9, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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