The Fiftieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Quincy, Illinois, in the month of August, 1861, by Colonel Moses M. Bane, and mustered into United States’ service September 12, 1861, by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U.S.A.

October 9, moved to Hannibal, Missouri. 19th, to Chillicothe. November 27, to St. Joseph, reporting to Colonel R. F. Smith, commanding post. December 19, to Palmyra. 24th to St. Joseph.

January 21, 1862, ordered to Cairo, Illinois, and from thence to Smithland, Kentucky, whence the Regiment reported to Colonel Lauman, January 28.

February 6, marched into Fort Henry. 12th, formed a part of Colonel John Cook’s Third Brigade, of the Second Division, and moved against Fort Donelson. Took an active part, February 13, 14 and 15, at Fort Donelson. 22d, occupied Clarksville, Tenn. 28th, arrived at Nashville. Remained on board the boat and returned to Clarksville, March 1.

March 25th, ordered to Pittsburgh Landing, and landed at that place, 31st.Engaged in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7. Engaged in the siege of Corinth, May 1862. June 4, under Major General John Pope, pursued the enemy as far as Booneville, Mississippi. Returned to Camp near Corinth, June 10. October 3, moved out against the enemy, who was approaching under Price, Van Dorn and Villipique. 5th, engaged in the battle of Corinth. Pursued the enemy as far as Ruckersville, Mississippi. October 12, returned to Corinth.

December 18, went on scout to Lexington, Tennessee. April 15, 1863, moved toward Tuscumbia, Alabama. Had a skirmish at Bear Creek, 17th; also at Cherokee, and at Newsome’s Farm. 24th, camped at Tuscumbia. 27th, moved toward Town Creek, and fought the enemy under General Forrest, at Town Creek, on the 28th. On the 29th, (General Streight having got well on the road for Georgia) the Regiment returned to Tuscumbia, and, on the 3d of May, arrived at Corinth.

October 11, General Dodge, commanding Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, ordered the Brigade, Colonel Bane commanding, to Lagrange, Tennessee. 17th, returned to Corinth. November 6, moved to Eastport, and crossed the Tennessee River at midnight. Passed through Waterloo on the 7th, Lauderdale and Lexington on the 10th, Pulaski on the 12th, and camped at Lynnville.

November 17, Regiment was mounted, by order of Major General Dodge.

January 1, 1864, three-fourths of the men of the Regiment re-enlisted, and were mustered January 16, and started for Illinois, for the veteran furlough.

February 28, moved from Quincy, and March 5, arrived at Lynnville. 13th ordered to Athens, Alabama. 15th, moved to Decatur Junction. 22d, crossed the Tennessee River to Decatur. 27th, re-crossed to Decatur Junction. 31st, moved to Moorsville.

April 12, moved to Athens, Alabama. 30th, moved to Chattanooga, via Larkinsville. May 5, marched to Chickamauga Creek and camped near Lee and Gordon’s Mills.8th, camped in Snake Creek Gap. 9th, moved to Resaca and returned. 13th, moved to Resaca. 14th, to Calhoun Ferry. 15th, to Lay’s Ferry, and crossed Oostanaula River. 17th, met the enemy at a cross-road, near the river, and, after some fighting, drove him from the field–the Regiment losing 1 man killed and 7 wounded. 19th, arrived at Kingston. 22nd, at Rome.

June 20, Colonel Bane having resigned, Brigadier William Vandever took command of the Brigade. July 3, one hundred and fifty men from the Brigade and one hundred of First Alabama Cavalry, made an expedition to Cedar Town, Major Hanna, of the Fiftieth, commanding, and returned, and on the 6th, to Cave Springs, and returned, both times capturing prisoners and horses.

In August, Colonel Rowett, of the Seventh Illinois Infantry, took command of the Brigade.

September 27, the Second Division, Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, Brigadier General John M. Corse commanding, was transferred to Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. 29th, the non-veterans of the Regiment were started home, for muster-out.

October 4, took cars for Allatoona, at 8 o’clock P.M.; arrived at midnight. At daylight skirmishing commenced, and by 10 o’clock the whole force was fiercely engaged with Hood’s Army. The enemy was repulsed. The Regiment lost 87 killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant Colonel Hana, and Assistant Suurgeon A. G. Pickett were wounded.

October 13, Lieutenant Colonel Hurlbut commanding Brigade, and Captain Horn commanding Regiment, it moved out on Cave Spring road, and met the enemy six miles out, with two pieces of artillery. It drove them four miles, and returned to Rome.

November 10, 1864, moved toward Atlanta. 15th, left Atlanta. 20th, crossed the Ocmulgee. 26th, crossed Oconee, at Ball’s Ferry. December 7th, crossed the Ogeechee at Mt. Vernon Road. 10th, met the enemy at Little Ogeechee. 16th, went foraging to McIntosh, 30 miles from Savannah.

January 27, moved up Savannah River, crossing at Sister’s Ferry, February 4. 12th, crossed North Ediston. 14th, camped near Congaree Creek. 16th, crossed Saluda River. 17th, crossed Congaree River, and entered Columbia. 22d, crossed Wateree. 26th, crossed Lynch’s Creek. March 5 and 6, did provost duty in Cheraw. 12th, arrived at Fayetteville. 18th, built barricades at Newton’s Grove. 20th and 21st, fought the enemy at Bentonville, losing 2 killed and 14 wounded. 24th, marched through Goldsboro.

April 10, Colonel Hanna commanding Brigade moved to Raleigh. 14th, reviewed by General Sherman, as it marched through Raleigh. 16th, moved to Morrisville, and, on surrender of Johnson, returned to Raleigh. April 29, 1865, moved northward, via Petersburg, Manchester and Richmond, and camped at Alexandria, 20th May. May 24, participated in the grand review at Washington, and camped near Soldier’s Home.

June 3, moved via Packersburg, Virginia, to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving on the 8th. July 3, in the prize drill between Sixty-third Illinois, Seventh Iowa Infantry and Fiftieth Illinois, the Regiment won the prize banner.

July 13th, mustered out of United States’ service by Captain W. B. Guthrie, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteers and A. C. M. Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 14, 1865, for final payment and discharge. [1]History from the Adjutant General’s Report.

Name and RankResidenceDate of Rank
or Enlistment
Remarks
Captains:
John W. SmithClaytonSept. 12, 1861Resigned June 1, 1862 and later (in 1864) served as Captain in Co. B, 137th Illinois Infantry.
Henry E. HornClaytonJune 1, 1862MO Dec. 20, 1864
John DunlapConcordDec. 20, 1864MO July 13, 1865
First Lieutenants:
Henry E. HornClaytonSept. 12, 1861Promoted
William E. HarbisonClaytonJune 1, 1862Resigned Sept. 15, 1864
John DunlapConcordSept. 15, 1864Promoted
John D. RuddellLibertyDec. 20, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Second Lieutenants:
William H. HarbisonClaytonSept. 12, 1861Promoted
John W. AndersonClaytonJune 1, 1862MO July 27, 1865
John D. RuddellLibertyApr. 11, 1865Promoted
William H. B. HinsonClaytonJuly 10, 1865MO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
First Sergeant:
James W. AndersonClaytonAug. 20, 1861Promoted 2d Lt.
Sergeants:
James F. WellsMcKeeAug. 20, 1861Disch. June 22, 1862, Disability
John DunlapConcordRe-enlisted as veteran
Erastus P. JulianNorth EastDisch. May 24, 1862, Disability
James HenryClaytonPromoted Sgt. Major
Corporals:
George D. MilbyClaytonAug. 20, 1861Died Clayton, IL., June 1862
John D. RuddellLibertyRe-enlisted as veteran
Alexander J. ScottNorth EastKilled at Shiloh, April 6,1862
Edmund O. YeldellConcordRe-enlisted as veteran
Leopold PurposeBuckhornDied Corinth, May 31,1862, wounds
William H. B. HinsonClaytonRe-enlisted as veteran
William T. BoylesClaytonDisch. July 28,1862,Disability
Jacob F. CarterNorth EastDisch. Sept.6,1862,wounds
Musicians:
George ThomasPea RidgeTrans. 56th IL Inf. in 1862
Elias OrtonConcordMO Sept. 27, 1864
Wagoner:
Archibald ScottAdams CountyDisch. May24,1862,Disability
Privates:
Anderson, CorneliusConcordAug. 20, 1861MO Sept. 27, 1864
Bagley, Silas H.McKee?
Bowermaster, JohnNorth EastRe-enlisted as veteran
Bothram, James W.ConcordDisch.Aug.26,1862,Disability
Burk, Jasper C.North EastRe-enlisted as veteran
Billings, William H.Clayton
Cassell, GabrielConcord
Cassell, AbrahamMcKee
Clark, John L.Concord
Cannon, Minus W.Clayton
Cannon, Joseph H.Clayton?
Christen, MartinTyler Co., VARe-enlisted as veteran
Cain, JosephConcord
Dunlap, Thomas H.Concord
Davis, HezekiahConcordDied at Hamburg, TN
Davis, AbrahamConcordMO Sept. 27, 1864
Dean, WilliamNorth EastDisch.June13,1862,Disability
Durbin, JamesMcKeeRe-enlisted as veteran
Davis, Washington J.Keokuk, IowaRe-enlisted as veteran
Drew, William C.QuincyDisch.Aug.25,1862,Disability
Easton, JamesClarion, PARe-enlisted as veteran
Ewing, Robert M.Clayton
Farmer, WilliamPea Ridge
Fry, Isaac S.McKeeDied Feb. 18, 1862, wounds
Fowler, James H.ConcordRe-enlisted as veteran
Gill, FrederickLee
Gross, John D.Clayton
Gaddies, Norman W.North EastDied at Corinth, July 25, 1862
Griffith, Frederick A.Dane County, WIMO Sept. 27, 1864
Giese, AdolphusPea Ridge
Griffith, TheodorePulaskiPromoted Sergeant Major
Hicks, LandsayConcordRe-enlisted as veteran
Huddleston, WilliamConcordDisch. June 13,1863,Disability
Huddleston, PeterNorth EastRe-enlisted as veteran
Julian, Robert B.North EastDied at Corinth Dec. 10, 1862
Johnson, David M.ConcordMO Sept. 27, 1864
Kemp, JohnConcordDied Clayton, IL., May 18,1862
Kemp, DavidMcKeeRe-enlisted as veteran
Ketzley, LorenzoPea Ridge
Kindhart, ConradMcKeeDisch. Jan1,1864Re-enl.1st MO
Laughlin, DavidClaytonRe-enlisted as veteran
Long, Joseph T.LeeDisch.Jan1,1864,Re-enl 1st MO
Lambert, Stephen H.Pea RidgeMO Sept. 27, 1864
Lathrop, PrestonMcKeeRe-enlisted as veteran
McMurray, Thomas C.ClaytonMO Sept. 27, 1864
Miller, AbrahamLee
Merritt, Thomas M.HuntsvilleRe-enlisted as veteran
Martin, WilliamConcord?
Orton, WarrenConcordRe-enlisted as veteran
Pyle, ElbertPea RidgeMO Sept. 27, 1864
Remley, WilliamCamp Point
Smith, Lewis D.McKeeDied McKee, IL., in 1864
Smith, Isaac N. H.McKeeRe-enlisted as veteran
Slater, Lewis C.Schuyler Co.
Shreve, HannibalCream Ridge, MO
Shank, JohnPea Ridge
Smith, James M.McKee
Thompson, ThomasElkhornDied at Corinth, June 27, 1862
Thompson, Daniel H. L.North EastRe-enlisted as veteran
Tingey, WilliamConcordMO Sept. 27, 1864
Walker, Virgil A.North EastRe-enlisted as veteran
Wardwell. John E.McKee
Yeldell, John H.ConcordDisch. May 4, 1862
Veterans:
Bowermaster, JohnNorth EastDec. 28, 1863MO July 13, 1865
Burke, Jasper C.North East
Billings, William H.Clayton
Clark, John L.Concord
Cannon, Minus W.Clayton
Christen, MartinAdams CountyKilled near Resaca, May 16,1864
Crum, AlbertHustonMO July 13, 1865
Cain, JosephConcord
Cassell, GabrielConcordMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Cassell, Abraham G.McKeeMO July 13, 1865
Durbin, JamesMcKee
Davis, WashingtonAdams CountyPromoted 1st Sgt, then 1st Lt.
Dunlap, JohnConcordMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Dunlap, Thomas H.ConcordMO July 13, 1865
Easton, JamesAdams CountyMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Ewing, Robert M.ClaytonMO July 13, 1865
Farmer, WilliamAdams County
Fowler, James H.Concord
Gross, John D.Clayton
Gill, FrederickAdams County
Huddleston, PeterNorth East
Hicks, Linsey J.Concord
Hinson, William H.ClaytonMO July 13, 1865 as 1st Sgt
Henry, JamesClaytonJan. 5, 1864Prom. Sgt. Major Jan.5,1864
Knight, WilliamClaytonDec. 28, 1863MO July 13, 1865 on furlough
Ketzley, GeorgeAdams CountyMO July 13, 1865
Ketzley, LorenzoAdams County
Kemp, DavidMcKeeMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Lathrop, PrestonClaytonDec. 30, 1863MO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Laughlin, DavidClaytonDec. 28, 1863
Merritt, Thomas M.Adams CountyMO July 13, 1865
Orton, WarrenConcordMO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Poe, Lemuel G.Adams CountyKilled Allatoona,Ga,Oct.5,1864
Ruddell, John D.LibertyProm Sgt,1st Sgt.,1st LT
Smith, Isaac, N.H.ClaytonDec.30, 1863MO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Shreve, HannibalAdams CountyDec. 28, 1863MO July 13, 1865
Shank, JohnAdams County
Smith, John M.McKee
Slater, Lewis C.Adams CountyMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Taylor, Edwin M.Livingston, MOMO July 13, 1865
Thompson, Daniel A. L.North EastWounded at MO of Reg.
Walker, Virgil A.North EastMO July 13, 1865
Wardwell, John E.McKeeMO July 13, 1865 as Corporal
Yeldell, Edmund O.ConcordMO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Recruits:
Bagley, Alexander M.McKeeNov. 16, 1861MO Dec. 6, 1864
Burke, George W.Elm GroveAug. 12, 1862Disch. May 26, 1865
Balfour, William H.North EastFeb. 8, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Bennett, William J.ConcordFeb. 5, 1864
Burke, Andrew B.North EastFeb. 28, 1865
Bennett, Samuel H.?Oct. 3, 1863
Cheney, James?Nov. 1, 1861Died Quincy, IL., Dec. 16,1861
Crum, Albert?Nov. 16, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Cassell, Anderson N.ConcordFeb. 5, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Curry, SimpsonClaytonMar. 1, 1864
Dorsett, David W.ClaytonJuly 31, 1862Disch. May 26, 1863
Degroot, John B.North EastFeb. 24, 1864MO July 2, 1865
Dodd, Charles B.ClaytonMar. 7, 1865MO July 13, 1865
Dodd, John H.ConcordJan. 1, 1863
Gunnings, Charles?Nov. 27, 1861Died Pittsburgh, May 1, 1862
Gage, HiramNorth EastAug. 20, 1861?
Gilbreth, CiceroClaytonJuly 30, 1862?
Hanna, John D.Clayton?
Harbison, James S.QuincyAug. 11, 1862Died Corinth, MS
Hockiday, SamuelQuincyAug. 30, 1862?
Hackney, James M.North EastFeb. 24, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Hackstadt, WilliamAugustaFeb. 9, 1864
Hamilton, WilliamConcordOct. 24, 1864
Hughes, William J.North EastFeb. 28, 1865MO July 19, 1865
Kentzley, George?Nov. 16, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Knight, WilliamClaytonNov. 27, 1861
Kinehart, John H.Mound StationJan. 20, 1862Died Louisville,Apr.1,1862
Lane, John?Jan. 1, 1862Absent, sick since Mar.23,1862
Laferty, Robert N.?Oct. 1, 1863MO July 13, 1865
McMurray, George M.?Aug. 19, 1862Disch. May 26, 1865
Northent, John W.?Jan. 20, 1862Disch. June 22, 1862
Nookes, Alsie B.ConcordFeb. 24, 1864MO July 15, 1865, was pris.
Norton, William H.ConcordFeb. 5, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Orton, ClarkClaytonMar. 7, 1865
Poe, Lemuel G.?Nov. 7, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Prutzman, John B.ClaytonFeb. 5, 1864Disch. May15,1865, wounds
Rice, Jacob H.North EastJan. 20, 1862MO at expiration of term
Robbins, James L.ClaytonJuly 30, 1862Died Jefferson Bar’ks, MO
Robbins, AhrNorth EastDisch. May 26, 1865
Reaugh, John T.ConcordFeb. 5, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Robbins, John W.North EastFeb. 24, 1864Died Monticello,GA,Nov.21,1864
Stout, Wesley J.?Nov. 16, 1861Disch. May 21, 1862
Stokoe, John H.?Nov. 16, 1861Deserted May 24, 1863
Scott, FrancisNorth EastJuly 30, 1862Disch. May 26, 1865
Sweed, EdwardLeeFeb. 12, 1864MO June 24, 1865, was pris.
Scoggan, Isham A.LeeFeb. 11, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Scoggan, James A.LeeMO July 12, 1865, was pris.
Scoggan, Younger A.LeeMO July 13, 1865
Scoggan, TaylorLee
Taylor, Edwin M.Marietta, OHNov. 1, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Thompson, William?Disch. July 18, 1862
Walker, Marcus D.North EastFeb. 24, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Walker, Jesse B.WalkerJan. 29, 1864
Yeldell, Robert C.ConcordFeb. 24, 1864

 

Sources:

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