The Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was one of the six Regiments called for by the Governor’s order of April 16, 1861. It was formed from the first four companies that reported at Springfield, April 20, 1861, which were ordered to Cairo on the 22d, and there, with three other Infantry and three Artillery companies, the Regiment was organized, and mustered by Captain John Pope, April 29, 1861, into the United States service for three months, with B. M. Prentiss as Colonel, J. D. Morgan, as Lieutenant Colonel, and Charles H. Adams as Major. The early promotion of Prentiss to a Brigadiership made Morgan Colonel, Adams Lieutenant Colonel and John Tillson Major. Thus organized, it remained at Cairo, doing garrison duty, during its three months’ service: twice making movements of reconnaissance, one toward Columbus, Ky., and again to Benton, Mo. It enlisted, and was mustered into the three years’ service, July 29, 1861, by Captain T. G. Pitcher at Cairo; thence was soon removed to Mound City, Ill., where it remained through the winter, taking part in January, 1862, in the movement of Grant’s forces toward Columbus and Paducah. In February it was stationed at Bird’s Point, Mo., and while there, March 1, had brisk engagement with Jeff Thompson’s troops, near Sykeston, Mo., taking several prisoners and two field pieces.

Attached in March to General Pope’s army, in Brigade composed of Tenth Illinois, Lieutenant Colonel Tillson; Sixteenth Illinois, Colonel Smith, and battalion of Yates Sharp Shooters, Lieutenant Colonel Williams, Colonel Morgan commanding, in Division of General E. A. Paine. It engaged in the siege of New Madrid. In a night movement, March 12th, advanced on the place, driving in the enemy’s pickets, establishing earthworks and planting four field pieces commanding rebel forts, without raising alarm until daylight, when our fire opened. During next day, lay under fire of the enemy’s two forts and five gunboats; made sorties in which lost one Captain (Carr of Co. H,) and two men killed. The place was evacuated during the night. April 7th, crossed the river from New Madrid in the advance of Pope’s Army, intercepted rebels retreating from Island No. 10, bringing to surrender at Tiptonville General Mackall with 2,500 men, resulting in the capture of about 6,000 men and a large amount of field artillery and small arms. On the 13th of April, embarked on a steamer for Forts Wright and Pillow; returned up Mississippi on 18th, and landed at Hamburg on the Tennessee, April 24.

Took part in movements of Pope’s army in advance on Corinth. Had brisk fight May 3; forced passage through Four Mile Swamp, losing two men killed and five wounded, capturing 15, and killing an equal number of the enemy whom we found and buried. Entered Corinth May 30, and thence pursued the enemy to Booneville. Returned to Corinth and lay in camp at Big Springs during the month of June, and until 21st July, when marched to Tuscumbia, Ala. August 31 marched thence via Florence, Athens and Columbia, to Nashville; had five men killed by guerrillas on the march. Reached Nashville Sept. 12, remaining there most of time until July, 1863, with occasional movements in the neighborhood. In attack in on our lines Nov. 5, had two men killed. Garrisoned Fort Negley. Assigned at this time to Army of Cumberland, Mitchell’s Division, Thomas’ Corps, and in July to Granger’s Reserve Corps.

July 20 marched to New Fosterville, thence Aug. 24 to Bridgeport, Ala. Oct. 1, with Tenth Mich., Sixtieth Illinois and section of Ohio Battery, under command Colonel Tillson, in connection with McCook’s Cavalry, made forced march of 28 miles from Bridgeport up the valley of the Sequatchie, driving Wheeler’s Cavalry out of the valley, where they had raided our supply trains and destroyed nearly 1200 wagons, 110 of them laden with ordnance stores. Camped and fortified in the valley at Anderson’s Cross Roads, and on Oct.24 went to Igo’s Ferry on the Tennessee. Nov. 24, under General Jeff C. Davis (Division commander,) crossed the river on pontoons, supporting Sherman’s attack on Bragg’s right, at Mission Ridge. Closely pursued, on 26th, Hardee’s retreating column, and at Chickamauga Station captured 20 of the rear guard, and scattered the rebel transportation trains. Pushed on to Ringgold–there were sent towards Knoxville, at this time invested by Longstreet. When within 16 miles (on Longstreet’s withdrawal) were ordered to Columbus on the Hiawassee. Returned to Chattanooga, and went into winter quarters at Rossville, Ga.

January 1, 1864, the Regiment re-enlisted as veterans; 394 were mustered as such on the 8th by Capt. C, O. Howard, and they left on the 11th on 30 days’ furlough for Illinois, rendezvousing at Quincy. Feb. 22d, with 200 recruits added left for the field, Colonel John Tillson in command. Remained in quarters at Rossville until May 2d, when broke camp and moved with Sherman’s army towards Atlanta. Had stubborn fight on 9th at Buzzard’s Roost and again on 15th at Resaca, where Adjutant Rice was killed. On 16th marched around by Rome, which was taken on the 18th; thence via Dallas rejoined the main army at Ackworth on 3d of June. From then until capture of Atlanta, continued in the forward movement of the army. Lost two men killed and seven wounded June 27 in attack on Kennesaw. At crossing Chattahootchie, July 18, lost several men, Major Wilson and Capt. Munson, Co. H, wounded–the latter losing an arm.

Aug. 20th transferred to Army of the Tennessee, Third Brigade, Colonel Tillson, Fourth Division.  Sixteenth Army Corps, General Rnsom, which, was shortly after changed to Third Brigade, First Division, Seventeenth A. C.–General Mower, Division Commander.

After fall of Atlanta, camped there until Oct. 4th, when followed Hood northward to Gaylesville, Ala.; thence returned to Marietta, Ga., where received 200 recruits, and from there started on the “March to the Sea” on Nov. 13th. Participated in the movement of the Army of the Tennessee on this march, ending with the taking of Savannah. Prior to the surrender of the city, made march of 50 miles south along railroad, to Walthonsville and the Altamaha river.  Remained at Savannah until January 3, 1865, when embarked on transports for Beaufort, S.C.

The Tenth lay at Beaufort from January 9th to 13th, when it moved with the division (Mower’s First Division) to Pocotaligo, on Charleston and Savannah Railroad. Remained there until the 30th, attempting on the 20th and 26th to cross the Salkahatchie, but failing on account of high water. On 30th moved up on right bank of river and effected a crossing at Rivers’ Bridge on the 3d, with a loss of 40 men, the Third Brigade, to which the Tenth was attached, being in the advance and losing about 125 men. The crossing was difficult and obstinately contested, the swamp, a mile wide, and with many streams to cross, the water ice-cold and from one to five feet deep. We were in it from 7 a.m. till dark.

General Howard, who was present, pronounced it “the best thing of the war.”

The regiment marched to Midway, on Augusta and Charleston Railroad; 9th, crossed South Edisto at Binicker’s Bridge, throwing a pontoon over in the face of the enemy, and–wading, after dark, over one-third of a mile through “the lake,” took the position of the enemy in the flank, drove them from their entrenchments and captured several prisoners and one caisson.

Passed with the army through Orangebury to Columbia, Winnsboro Cheraw, skirmishing and destroying railroad, thence to Fayetteville on 11th March. There the regiment was detached to lay pontoons over Cape Fear River, which was done and lodgment effected for a brigade on opposite bank. The enemy’s cavalry was driven back with a loss to them of one Lieutenant and five men killed. Thence, with renewed skirmishing, we pushed toward Goldsboro, and when the Fourteenth Corps was attached at Bentonville, we joined it by a forced night march, and took part in the battle of the 20th and 21st. On the latter day our division, with the Sixty-fourth Illinois Sharpshooters on the skirmish line, got in on Johnson’s rear and captured part of his headquarters material. Our division successfully resisted the attack of Hardee’s whole corps. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was about 60, 11 killed; and of the brigade, over 100.

The enemy evacuating during the night, the next day moved to Goldsboro, thence to Raleigh. After Johnson’s surrender, moved to Richmond, Fredericksburg and Washington, where participated in the grand review.

Proceeded on the 4th of June to Louisville, Kentucky. Mustered out of United States service July 4, 1865, and received final discharge and pay July 11, 1865, at Chicago, Illinois. During this campaign the regiment was commanded by Lieut. Colonel David Gillespie. The Third Brigade by Brevet Brigadier General Tillson. First Division by Major General J. A. Mower until to Goldsboro, and afterwards by Brevet Major General M. F. Force. Seventeenth Army Corps, Major General Frank P. Blair, commanding. Army of the Tennessee, Major General O. O. Howard, commanding. [1]History from the Adjutant General’s Report.

Name and Rank, Residence, Date of Rank or Enlistment, Remark

Captains:

Charles S. Sheley, Quincy, July 28, 1861, Resigned July 3, 1862
John T. Boyle, Quincy, July 3, 1862, Resigned Sept. 22, 1864
William H. Carr, Quincy, Sept. 22, 1864, Mustered Out July 31, 1865

First Lieutenants:

Andrew Wood, Quincy, July 28, 1861, Resigned May 28, 1862
John T. Boyle, Quincy, May 28, 1862, Promoted
William H. Carr, Quincy, July 3, 1862, Promoted
Samuel K. Baughman, Quincy, Sept. 22, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865

Second Lieutenants:

William Morgan, Quincy, July 28, 1861, Disch. Aug. 20, 1862, Disability
William H. Carr, Quincy, Aug. 20, 1861, Promoted
Samuel K. Baughman, Quincy, Jan. 21, 1863, Promoted
Christopher F. Hankey, Galesburg, Sept. 22, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865

First Sergeant:

George A. Race, Quincy, Aug. 17, 1861, Promoted Capt. Co F

Sergeants:

Abijah S. Prosser, , Aug. 17, 1861, Promoted 1st Lt., 2d TN Cavalry
John W. Hamilton, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Solomon Auerback, Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Samuel K. Baughman, Quincy, Promoted 2d Lt

Corporals:

David Burtnett, Quincy, Aug. 17, 1861, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
William Steckelback, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
George W. Pool, Quincy, Killed Sept. 8, 1862, guerillas
James H. Skoot, Quincy
Josiah T. Brown, Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
John T. Boyle, Quincy, Promoted 1st Lt
Charles S. Doyan, Quincy, ?

Musicians:

Benjamin F. Patrick, Galesburg, Aug. 17, 1861, Disch. Nov. 21, 1862, Disability

Privates:

Appleton, Charles H, Quincy, Aug. 17, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran
Adams, William F., Quincy, Died May 10, 1863
Bagby, James R., Quincy, Trans. to 60th IL, Apr. 18, 1864
Barton, Otis B., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Beamer, Barney or Jno., Quincy
Baker, John or Barney, Quincy, Disch. Nov. 26, 1862, Disability
Babb, Joseph F., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Callahan, Andrew J., Quincy
Carr, William H., Quincy
Cormack, Jasper M., Disch. July 18, 1863, Disability
Codding, George S, Galesburg, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Carr, James, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Chenea, Jackson, Quincy
Conyers, Enoch G., Quincy
Cleaveland, James G., Quincy
Creek, Jeremiah, Quincy, Deserted Jan. 28, 1862
Dekreiger, Peter A., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Doran, Martin, Quincy, Died Oct. 31, 1861
Dustin, David, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Desler, Joseph, Quincy
Esterly, Peter P., Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Ferry, James H., Galesburg, Re-enlisted as veteran
Frost, Edmund, Quincy, Died Jan. 28, 1863
Farnsworth, Jackson, Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Friday, David, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Gill, James, Quincy, Disch. Enl Reg. Army, Dec. 7, 1862
Gallup, Benjamin C., Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Gardner, Harrison, Quincy, Trans. Inv. Corps Aug. 1, 1862
Huffmire, William B., Galesburg, Disch. Aug. 27, 1862, Disability
Hall, Harman W., Galesburg, Re-enlisted as veteran
Howard, John, Cairo, Deserted Dec. 19, 1861
Hubbard, Erastus R., Galesburg, Disch. Enl Reg. Army Dec. 25, 1862
Hayes, John C., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Irving, John, Quincy
James, William D., Galesburg, Disch. Sept. 12, 1862, Disability
Johnson, Henry, Quincy, Died July 11, 1862
Johnson, William G., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Kreager, Henry, Quincy
Lee, George, Quincy
Lowry, Benjamin F., Quincy
McManness, Daniel, Quincy, Deserted Sept. 27, 1863
McNulty, Fielding, Quincy, Disch. Dec. 20, 1861, Disability
Morris, William, Galesburg, Re-enlisted as veteran
Nelch, John P., Quincy
Nixon, Perry O., Galesburg
Newby, Edward, Quincy
Nichols, Sumner, Quincy
Olson, Alexander, Quincy
Porter, Robert, Quincy, Disch. Aug. 15, 1864, term exp
Pettingill, Samuel C., Galesburg, Re-enlisted as veteran
Pollon, Andrew J., Quincy, Died Oct. 27, 1861
Rider, Michael, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Randall, Orville, Galesburg
Rudensholt, Thurston, Quincy, Died Oct. 27, 1862
Strickler, John H., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Simmons, James P., Quincy, Died Nov. 10, 1861
Smith, Frank, Quincy
Skevin, Jacob C., Galesburg, Re-enlisted as veteran
Schroder, Henry, Quincy
Sneider, Henry, Galesburg
Stone, James H., Quincy, Died Jan. 10, 1862
Sheren, James, Quincy, Trans. Inv. Corps. July 2, 1864
Ward, Lewis, Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Wartick, John F., Quincy, Mustered Out Aug. 15, 1864
Womansdorf, Jno., Quincy, Re-enlisted as veteran
Young, Henry E., Quincy, Disch. Jan 3, 1863, Enl Miss. Brig.

Veterans:

Appleton, Charles H., Quincy, Jan. 1, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1866
Barton, Otis B., Quincy
Beamer, John, Quincy
Babb, Joseph T., Quincy
Bradley, Patrick, Mound City
Carr, James, Quincy
Callahan, Andrew J., Quincy
Chenea, Jackson, Quincy
Cleveland, James G., Quincy
Conyers, Enoch G., Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Sgt
Dekreiger, Peter W., Quincy, Mustered Out July 20, 1865
Disler, Joseph, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Dustin, David, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Sgt
Friday, David, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Ford, William, Galesburg, Sick at Washington at Mustered Out of Regiment
Ferry, James H., Galesburg, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Hankey, Christopher, Galesburg, Promoted 2d Lt
Hamilton, John W. , Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Hall, Harmon W., Galesburg
Hays, John C., Galesburg
Irving, John, Quincy
Johness, William G., Quincy
Krear, Henry, Quincy
Lee, George, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Corporal
Lewis, James W., Galesburg
Lowry, Benjamin F., Quincy
Morris, William, Galesburg, Died Feb. 3, 1865, wounds
Nixon, Perry O., Galesburg, Mustered Out July 5, 1865 as Sgt.
Newby, John C., Quincy, Sick at Quincy at Mustered Out of Regiment
Nelch, John P., Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Nichols, Charles S., Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Corporal
Olson, Alexander, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Pettingill, Samuel C., Galesburg, Jan. 1, 1864 Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Sgt
Randall, Orville, Galesburg, Mustered Out July 4, 1865 as Corporal
Rider, Michael, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Rudenshold, Thurston, Quincy, Died May 4, 1865
Schroeder, Henry, Quincy, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Schneider, Henry, Galesburg
Simmons, James P., Quincy
Stackelback, William, Quincy
Spencer, William, Cairo
Womansdorf, J. J. L., Quincy
Ward, Lewis, Quincy

Recruits:

Angelin, John, Mound City, Oct. 26, 1861, Died May 2, 1864, Nashville
Adams, John Q., Quincy, Feb. 26, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Aggert, William, Quincy, Feb. 27, 1864, Died Feb. 3, 1865
Brown, John, Cairo, Sept. 7, 1861, Mustered Out Aug. 30, 1864
Bradley, Patrick, Mound City, Oct. 7, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran
Baughman, Henry J., Quincy, Feb. 25, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Brown, Jacob, Quincy, Jan. 22, 1864, Mustered Out June 16, 1865
Brown, Jackson, Woodford, Apr. 12, 1865, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Brenger, Henry, Quincy, Jan. 12, 1865
Craft, Thomas H., Galesburg, Sept. 13, 1861, Died Feb. 2, 1863
DeWolf, George W., Quincy, Feb. 6, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Dustin, Franklin, El Paso, Jan. 10, 1865
Doyan, Charles S., ?, Aug. 17, 1861, Mustered Out Aug. 31, 1864
Engel, Edmund, Quincy, Jan. 27, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Ellerbrock, Henry, Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865
Ford, William, Galesburg, Sept. 13, 1861, Re-enlisted as veterans
Follum, Martin, Quincy, Feb. 6, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Follum, Philander, Quincy, Aug. 10, 1864
Gee, Henry, Knoxville, Feb. 23, 1864
Goodell, Benjamin, Knoxville, Feb. 24, 1864
Girrard, John L., Knoxville
Green, Harry, Quincy, Feb. 20, 1864, Mustered Out July 20, 1865
Goodell, Charles, York, Aug. 30, 1864, Mustered Out June 4, 1865
Geerhard, John, Quincy, Feb. 24, 1864, Died June 24, 1864, wounds
Howard, William, Galesburg, Sept. 15, 1861, Deserted Dec. 22, 1861
Hill, John, Mound City, Oct. 16, 1861, Died Dec. 30, 1862
Heck, John B., Mound City, Died June 15, 1862
Huffendike, Henry, Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Hiderman, John W., Quincy
Hankey, Christopher, Galesburg, Sept. 12, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran
James, William D., Galesburg, Feb. 23, 1864, Disch. Jan. 27, 1865, Disability
Lewis, James W., Galesburg, Sept. 7, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran
Lee, William G., Chicago, Jan. 28, 1865, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Landweir, Gottlieb, Quincy, Jan. 25, 1865
Landwier, Harmon W., Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865
Morris, Michael, St. Louis, June 2, 1863
Macklin, William, Quincy, Feb. 22, 1864
Mitchell, John, Quincy, Jan. 26, 1864
Moon, Job, Knoxville, Feb. 23, 1864
Macklin, George, Buckhorn, Apr. 11, 1865
Macklin, James, Woodford, Apr. 12, 1865
Middleton, James A., Knoxville, Aug. 17, 1861, Disch. Dec. 25, 1862, Enl. Reg. Army
Parks, Robert, Quincy, Jan. 22, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Packard, Warren W., Knoxville, Feb.23, 1864, Mustered Out June 26, 1865
Rosecamp, Adolph, Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Spencer, William, Cairo, Aug. 17, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran
Smith, William, Quincy, Jan. 29, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Smith, Obadiah, Quincy, Feb. 25, 1864
St. Clair, Andrew, Knoxville, Feb. 23, 1864
Simmons, Daniel H., Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865
Schaffer, Peter, Quincy
Schurfield, Peter, Quincy
Schultz or Schulter, F., Quincy
Teaman, Henry, Quincy, Jan. 26, 1865
Wallace, Robert, Cairo, Sept. 9, 1861, Deserted Nov. 24, 1861
Welling, John E., Quincy, Feb. 8, 1864, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Wheyers, Joseph E., Quincy, Feb. 24, 1864
Wemhorer, John W., Quincy, Jan. 31, 1865

Drafted & Substitute Recruits:

Bassey, John J., ?, Oct. 3, 1864 Sub. Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Barnes, Isaac, Fall Creek, Sept. 20, 1864, Mustered Out June 16, 1865
Clark, Simon S., ?, Oct. 1, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out June 4, 1865
Connor, George, ?, Sub. Mustered Out June 16, 1865
Conner, William, ?, Oct. 13, 1864, Sub. never reported to Co
Cleveland, Ezra or Ed, Richfield, Sept. 21, 1864, Deserted Apr. 18, 1865
Delaughy, Henry, ?, Sept. 23, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out June 4, 1865
Elicks, William, ?, Oct. 10, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out Aug. 11, 1865
Enlow, Thomas, Melrose, Sept. 20, 1864, Mustered Out June 4, 1865
Koetyle, John G., Liberty
Menn, Henry, ?, Oct. 5, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Prentice, Guy C. A.,?, Sept. 28, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out June 22, 1865
Reakard, Lorenzo, Huston, Oct. 7, 1864, Sub. Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Schrader, Jacob, ?, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Tutiman, Silas, Quincy, Sept. 23, 1864, Mustered Out June 4, 1865
Weibeiry, Bernard, ?, Sept. 23, 1864
Zimmermann, John, Quincy, Mustered Out June 24, 1864

Under Cooks:

Reynolds, Jasper, Sept. 1, 1863, Mustered Out July 4, 1865
Taylor, Rice, July 4, 1863

 

Sources:

Sources:
1History from the Adjutant General’s Report.