SUMMARY
Was
organized November 25th, 1861, at Clear Lake near Springfield. James A.
Barrett was its first Colonel, who resigned (for the good of the
service) May 15th, 1862, and the same day Col. Dudley Wickersham was
appointed Colonel of the Regiment. On the 20th Dec. 1861, it moved to
Quincy, Ill., where it remained doing picket duty at bridges and block
houses on the Hannibal and St. Joe R. R. for about six weeks, then
moved to Benton Barracks, from there to Rolla, Mo., thence to
Springfield, Mo. To follow this regiment on its line of march, from
this time until January 1st, 1866, when it landed within two miles of
its starting place, would be difficult work. The track of this regiment
crosses every township in Southwest Missouri, from one to five times.
About the 1st of June, 1862, the first Battalion and 2d Wisconsin
Cavalry, Gen. C. C. Washburn commanding, were ordered to join Gen.
Curtis' army on White River. After a hard march and some fighting with
the rebel forces under McBride and Jackman, they reached Curtis' army
at Jacksonport, Ark., on the 4th of July, and started next day on the
march to the Mississippi River. The Battalion participated on this
march in the engagement at Cache River, where Gen. Rusk's rebel forces
undertook to stop the advance of Curtis. After reaching Helena, the
Battalion were on constant duty scouting and doing picket duty, taking
part in three raids in Mississippi under Gen. Washburn. Col. Conrad
Baker and Col. Lippincott were on the first expedition against Arkansas
Post. About the 1st of May, 1863, were ordered to join Gen. Grant's
army at Milliken's Bend, La., and were left at this place to do patrol
duty while the army moved around Vicksburg, were in two fights at
Richmond, La., and at the engagement at Milliken's Bend, June 10th.
June 16th moved to Young's Point, and was used there for scouting
purposes to watch the movements of Gen. Dick Taylor's army. After the
surrender of Vicksburg, was ordered to join the regiment via Helena,
Ark. The 1st and 2d Battalion during this time were doing hard duty in
the Southwest, fighting guerilla bands that infested that country; they
took a prominent part in the battle of Prairie Grove. Col. Wickersham
commanded the Cavalry forces in this engagement. The Regiments were
united while on the march from Southeast Mo. to Little Rock, and took
part in the different engagement in this campaign under Gens. Steel and
Davidson, and at the final capture of Little Rock. In Dec. 1863 about
500, nearly all of the Regiment, took advantage of the government's
proposition to re-enlist as Veterans, and came home on thirty days'
furlough. At expiration of furlough were sent to Nashville, Tenn., to
form part of the army of the Cumberland, but soon after arriving there
they were joined by the non-veterans and recruits. From this time until
January, 1865, they were on constant duty, marching, scouting, fighting
Price's, Marmaduke's and Shelby's rebels. Jan. 1865, the 10th was
consolidated into nine companies, and the 15th Cavalry into three
companies, and all reorganized into the 10th Ill. Veteran Vol. Cav.,
Col. James Stuart commanding. Feb. 1865, was ordered to the Mississippi
River and to New Orleans, from thence to Mobile, but owing to lack of
transports only a part of the Regiment went to Mobile. The Regiment was
in New Orleans when the news of the death of President Lincoln was
received. The prompt and energetic action of the Regiment undoubtedly
saved the city from a scene of bloodshed and confusion, and won from
the General commanding a flattering compliment in General Orders. In
the attempt of the Rebel Ram Webb to run the blockade she was
recognized by a member of the Regiment, and the authorities notified of
her character. She was blown up thirty-five miles below the city. The
entire crew except a few were captured by companies D and G. June 1st,
were ordered up River and landed at Shreveport, Louisiana. Co. D. was
detached here and sent to Marshall, Texas with the 8th Ill. Infantry,
and done duty gathering up Rebel arms, until they were ordered to
rejoin the Regiment who were then on the march from Red River to the
Rio Grande under the command of Gens. Merritt and Custer. They reached
San Antonio in August, and from there several extended trips were made
to the mountains North and West, ostensibly after Indians, but really
to accustom the inhabitants to blue coats. The order to muster out was
received and executed Nov. 22, 1865, were then ordered to Springfield,
Ill. (by way of the Gulf) for final pay and discharge. On the way from
Galveston to New Orleans they were put on an unseaworthy vessel in
company with the 2d Ill. Cav. and came near being shipwrecked, were
caught in a storm, and after drifting for two days and nights were
towed back to Galveston, and reloaded on another vessel. They arrived
at Camp Butler, January 1st, 1866, in a blinding snow storm, the men
were poorly clad, having just come from a warm climate, they suffered
terribly. They received their final pay and discharge January 6th, 1865.
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10th Cavalry Volunteer Infantry
