SUMMARY
This
regiment was first called into the State service, for thirty days,
under "Ten Regiment Bill." It was mustered into service of the State
for thirty days, on May 4, 1861, and on the 25th of the same month it
was mustered into the United States' Service for three years, by
Captain Pitcher, U. S. A.
The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Duncan, Jacksonville, until
late in June, where it received instructions; then proceeded to Quincy,
Illinois, and from thence to Missouri, where, in connection with the
Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, July 5, it did good service in keeping
down the spirit of the rebellion. In February, 1862, the regiment was
ordered to Fort Donelson, where it arrived the day subsequent to its
surrender; was brigaded with the Fifteenth and Forty-sixth Illinois,
and Twenty-fifth Indiana, and assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth
Division, under Brig. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut. In the meantime, Col.
Palmer had been promoted to the Colonelcy. From Fort Donelson, the
regiment proceeded to Fort Henry, where it embarked on transports and
proceeded up the Tennessee river to Pittsburg Landing. In the
engagement, April 6th and 7th, when the regiment was for the first time
under fire, the loss in killed and wounded was fully one-half the
command engaged. The colors, which came out of this bloody conflict,
with forty-two bullet holes through them, fully attest the gallantry of
the command in this memorable struggle. The grand charge on the night
of the 7th, was made with this regiment in advance, led by Col. Hall.
The Fourteenth took an active part in the siege of Corinth, and after
its evacuation, proceeded to Memphis, and thence to Bolivar, Tenn. The
regiment also participated in the fight with the retreating enemy from
Corinth, in which it sustained its former reputation. Was with Grant in
northern Mississippi; was at Vicksburg; in the siege of Jackson,
Mississippi. At Atlanta, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois
regiments were consolidated, and known as the veteran battalion. In
October, 1864, when rebel General Hood made his attacks against
Sherman's rear, a large number of the battalion were killed, and the
major part of the balance were taken prisoners and sent to
Andersonville prison. Those who escaped capture were mounted, and on
the grand march to the sea, acted as scouts and were continually in
advance, being the first to drive the enemy's pickets into Savannah,
Georgia. The battalion was the first to enter Cheraw, South Carolina;
Fayetteville, North Carolina; and also took part in the battle of
Bentonville. Took part in the grand review of Sherman's army, at
Washington, D. C., May 24, 1865. The regiment was mustered out at
Leavenworth, Kansas, Sept. 16, 1865.
During the four years and four months of arduous service, the
regiment marched 4,490 miles, traveled by rail 2,330 miles, and by
river 4,490 miles - aggregating 11,670 miles.
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14th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
