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:
William M. GoodingPaysonSept. 12, 1861Resigned July 10, 1862
Horace L. BurnhamPaysonJuly 10, 1862Promoted Major
Samuel W. StarrettPaysonApr. 11, 1865MO July 13, 1865
First Lieutenants:
Theodore W. LettonQuincySept. 12, 1861Promoted Adjutant
George R. NaylorQuincyJuly 10, 1862Resigned Jan. 21, 1863
Samuel W. StarrettPaysonJan. 21, 1863Promoted
Thomas KennedyMt. PleasantApr. 11, 1865MO July 13, 1865
Second Lieutenants:
Horace L. BurnhamPaysonSept. 12, 1861Promoted
Samuel W. StarrettPaysonJuly 10, 1862
Charles M. TarrPaysonJan. 21, 1863Resigned Oct. 23, 1864
Frank McCarthyQuincyJuly 10, 1865MO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
First Sergeant:
Georg R. NaylorQuincyAug. 20, 1861Promoted 1st Lt.
Sergeants:
Samuel W. StarrettPaysonAug. 20, 1861Promoted 2d Lt.
Charles M. TarrPayson
George BenfieldLibertyDisch. Sept. 12, 1862, Disability
George B. F. JohnsonQuincySept. 20, 1861Disch. Apr. 5, 1862, Disability
Corporals:
William H. RobertsPaysonAug. 20, 1861Disch. Apr. 5, 1862, Disability
L. ScarboroughPaysonDisch. Sept. 27, 1864 as Sgt.
James H. StanfieldPaysonKilled at Shiloh Apr. 6, 1862
Henry W. StewartPaysonDisch. Oct. 22, 1861, Disability
Robert H. PriceLibertyMO Sept. 27, 1864
Edwin TylerRichfieldMO Sept. 27, 1864 as Sgt.
Frank WestPaysonAug. 24, 1861MO (d’t.r’l) Mar. 6, 1866, S. Maj.
Edwin A. HurdQuincySept. 14, 1861Died Quincy, IL, June 20, 1862
Musicians:
Charles W. FeeQuincyAug. 20, 1861Tr. to Reg. Band Nov. 1, 1861
Frederick SherwoodPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Privates:
Adams, William W.QuincyAug. 20, 1861Disch. June 18, 1862, Disability
Allen, JamesPerry?
Burnham, William W.PaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Birdsall, GuyNewtownMO Sept. 27, 1864
Bartells, George C.Quincy
Braugham, HenryQuincyDisch. Oct. 25, 1862, Disability
Beard, CharlesLibertyKilled at Shiloh, Apr. 6, 1862
Bysou, Winfield S.QuincyAug. 27, 1861MO Sept. 27, 1864
Brown, Thomas J.?Aug. 20, 1861Prom. Adj. at org. of Reg.
Carter, WilliamPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Carter, GeorgePaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Carrigan, ReeseLiberty
Cleveland, EzraRichfieldDisch. Oct. 25, 1862, wounds
Cherico, Morris M.CarrolltonSept. 15, 1861Died Louisville, Mar. 26, 1862
Crader, Eli D.PaysonAug. 20, 1861MO Sept. 27, 1864
Cooper, Henry C.CarrolltonSept. 16, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Cook, HiramMt. PleasantMO Sept. 27, 1864
Delapp, RussellPaysonAug. 20, 1861
Deer, IllydPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Fisher, John W.PaysonPromoted Com. Sgt.
Frame, Enos W.PaysonDisch. June 16, 1862, Disability
Green, ReubenPaysonMO Sept. 27, 1864 as Sgt.
Gabriel, Francis N.PaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Gebhart, LeoNewtownMO Sept. 27, 1864
Hughes, Horatio J.BurtonMO Sept. 27, 1864
Hinckley, Thaddeus W.RichfieldRe-enlisted as veteran
Hartshorn, Oscar O.Richfield
Hoffman, William M.PerryMO Sept. 13, 1864
Hughes, Adam M.PaysonProm. Sgt. Maj. Jan. 1, 1862
Jonas, EdwardQuincyProm. 2d Lt Co K
Jenner, JohnPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Kelly, JamesRichfield
Knight, GeorgeQuincyMO Sept. 27, 1864
Kiser, MartinQuincyRe-enlisted as veteran
Kennedy, ThomasMt. PleasantSept. 16, 1861
Lester, George W.PaysonAug. 20, 1861MO Sept. 27, 1864
Lewis, SlaterNewtownRe-enlisted as veteran
Leach, MatthewNewtownSept. 9, 1861
Manuel, John L.Newtown
Manifee, William A.?Aug. 20, 1861Disch. June 18, 1862, Disability
Morton, HenryBurtonSept. 2, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Miller, William R.WarsawDisch. July 4, 1862, Disability
Milledge, Mortimer L.Mt. PleasantSept. 17, 1861Disch. Nov. 10, 1862, Disability
McCarthy, FrankQuincyOct. 13, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Nichols, John F.PaysonAug. 20, 1861Disch. June 18, 1862, Disability
Nichols, MosesNewtownSept. 12, 1861Died Quincy, IL, Nov. 9, 1862
Nicholson, SmithPaysonAug. 20, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Olden, George W.QuincyTr. to Co F Jan. 1, 1862
Pool, Erastus P.Quincy“0MO Sept. 27, 1864
Roe, Edward D.Richfield
Reed, William G.NewtownSept. 9, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Smith, JosephPaysonAug. 20, 1861
Starrett, James P.PaysonDisch. May 5, 1862, Disability
Spicer, JamesPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Smith, EnochPayson
Short, Alexander J.RichfieldDisch. May 18, 1862, Disability
Sheller, GeorgeQuincyDisch. July 11, 1862, Disability
Seitter, JacobPaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Sackett, William B.KinderhookSept. 24, 1861
Walker, GeorgePaysonAug. 20, 1861Promoted Com. Sgt.
Woodcock, James H.PaysonRe-enlisted as veteran
Winchester, JamesQuincy
Ward, MichaelNew Orleans, LAAug. 29, 1861
Young, ArrisBurtonAug. 20, 1861Disch. Aug. 6, 1862, Disability
Veterans:
Frank McCarthyQuincyDec. 30, 1863MO July 13, 1865 as 1st Sgt.
Frederick SherwoodPaysonJan. 1, 1864MO July 12, 1865 as Musician
Edward RileyQuincy
Burnham, WilliamPaysonMO July 13,1865, Tr. by pro, Lt. in UCT
Cooper, Henry C.Mt. PleasantMO July 13, 1865
Carter, WilliamPayson
Carter, GeorgePayson
Carrigan, ReesePaysonDisch. Feb. 7, 1865, Disability
Deer, IllydPaysonMO July 13, 1865
Gabriel, FrancisPaysonMO July 13, 1865 as Cpl.
Hinckley, Thaddeus W.PaysonDisch. to accept prom. in 44th US Col. Troops
Hartshorn, Oscar O.PaysonMO July 13, 1865
Jenner, JohnPaysonDied Oct. 25, 1864, wounds
Kennedy, ThomasPaysonProm. 1st Sgt, then 1st Lt.
Kelly, James C.QuincyMO July 13, 1865
Kiser, MartinQuincy
Lewis, Slater D.PaysonMO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Leach, MatthewQuincyMO July 13, 1865
Metts, Harvey J.Quincy
Menuel, JohnQuincy
Morton, Henry C.Quincy
Nicholson, SmithPaysonDec. 30, 1863MO July 13, 1865 as Cpl.
Reed, William G.QuincyJan. 1, 1864MO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Smith, Joseph C.QuincyMO July 13, 1865
Smith, EnochPayson
Sackett, William B.QuincyMO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Spicer, JamesPaysonKilled Allatoona, GA, Oct. 5, 1864
Seiter, JacobPaysonMO July 13, 1865 as Sgt.
Woodcock, James H.PaysonMO July 13, 1865
Winchester, JamesQuincy
Walker, GeorgePaysonProm. Com. Sgt. Jan. 1, 1864
Ward, MichaelQuincyMO July 13, 1865 as Cpl.
Recruits:
Birdsall, Charles T.BurtonJan. 28, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Browning, Jeremiah?Oct. 1, 1863
Bucklin, GeorgePaysonMar. 1, 1865
Burnham, HiramPaysonFeb. 25, 1864Disch. to accept Lt. in 44th US Col Troops
Chapman, John D.Fall CreekJan. 28, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Collins, SoutherFall CreekFeb. 25, 1864
Covert, Robert W.Camp PointJan. 2, 1865
Decker, Charles F.BracevilleFeb. 2, 1865
Elsworth, ElijahPaysonNov. 1, 1861Disch. Nov. 1, 1864
Emery, PerryPaysonJan. 1, 1862Deserted Jan. 25, 1862
Ellsworth, Paschal J.Adams CountyJan. 23, 1862?
Eaton, Edward T.PaysonMar. 3, 1865MO July 13, 1865
Grooms, NobleSpringfield, MONov. 7, 1861Deserted Aug. 18, 1862
Hewes, Samuel E.PaysonOct. 30, 1861Prom. Q. M. Sgt.
Hickerson, AbsalomAdams CountyJan. 23, 1862?
Hartshorn, WilliamRichfieldFeb. 9, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Hinkley, TheodoreRichfieldFeb. 8, 1864
Hadley, GideonQuincyJan. 27, 1864Died Oct. 5, 1864, wounds
Lile, Joseph W.PaysonDec. 21, 1861Died Louisville, Apr. 6, 1862
Lewis, Apsel E.QuincyFeb. 27, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Little, John?Dec. 15, 1862
Looney, WilliamLeighton, ALApr. 18, 1864Deserted Apr. 29, 1864
Metze, Harvey J.BurtonDec. 16, 1861Re-enlisted as veteran
Martin, RaymondAdams CountyJan. 23, 1862MO May 30, 1865
Moore, Enoch O.PaysonMar. 3, 1865MO July 13, 1865
Proctor, Terrill B.BurtonJan. 28, 1864Killed Allatoona, GA, Oct. 5, 1864
Rilley, EdwardQuincyAug. 18, 1861Tr. from Co F, Re-enlisted as veteran
Rollins, EnochQuincyJan. 23, 1862Disch. June 18, 1862
Roe, Martin LutherBurtonFeb. 2, 1864Disch. Aug. 8, 1864
Roe, Lewis F.BurtonFeb. 10, 1864MO July 13, 1865 as Cpl.
Robbins, David P.PaysonFeb. 28, 1864Killed Allatoona, GA, Oct. 5, 1864
Sprague, Charles C.PaysonSept. 12, 1861Prom. Hospital Steward
Shaffer, CarltonRichfieldDec. 7, 1861Disch. June 9, 1862, Disability
Smith, RobertQuincyJan. 23, 1862Died Chillicothe, MO, Mar. 2, 1862
Sceiter, MichaelQuincyAug. 11, 1862MO May 30, 1865
Short, AlexanderPaysonFeb. 26, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Smith, John PalmerFall CreekFeb. 4, 1864
Starrett, James P.PaysonFeb. 26, 1864
Stewart, Francis M.Payson
Sprague, Warren B.PaysonFeb. 9, 1864
Scarborough, Sam’l R.PaysonMar. 1, 1865
Taylor, John A.PaysonFeb. 25, 1864
Taylor, William F.PaysonOct. 27, 1861Killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862
Voeth, George F.QuincyJan. 6, 1865MO July 13, 1865
Wells, William A.ChilliFeb. 3, 1864
Wells, WilliamBurtonFeb. 2, 1864Died
Whitcomb, JoelPaysonJan. 19, 1864MO July 13, 1865
Wimmer, JeffersonHarmonyFeb. 4, 1864
Ward, Francis C.?Oct. 1, 1863
Wright, StanfordHarrisonNov. 30, 1864Drafted, MO July 13, 1865

 

Sources:

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