Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 15. — Report of Capt. William H. Jamison, Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, of operations December 15-31, 1864.

No. 15.

Report of Capt. William H. Jamison, Twenty-first Illinois Infantry,

of operations December 15-31, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ILLINOIS,

January 1, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 14th of December, 1864, while lying in camp at Nashville, Tenn., on the right of Granny White pike, I received an order from Col. I. M. Kirby, commanding First Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, to be ready to move at daylight on the morning of the 15th. In accordance with said order we moved to the right to the Hardin pike, then filed to the left until we passed outside the defenses, when we were formed in rear line of brigade, on right of Hardin pike—the Thirty-eighth Illinois was on my right, the Thirty-first Indiana on my left, and the Eighty-first Indiana in my immediate front. After being formed we lay on our arms for some time, when we were moved forward to the crest of a small hill which was in our front. We lay here for near an hour, then moved to the base of the hill, and were halted in rear of a stone wall. After laying here about thirty minutes we were moved forward into a corn-field, our left resting on the Hardin pike. We lay in this position for some time, when we moved to the front about half a mile, and halted in rear of the crest of a hill near the enemy's works; here we lay about an hour, there being considerable firing from the works. About this time our front line began moving forward, and Brigadier-General Wood, commanding Fourth Army Corps, rode up and ordered us forward quickly; we advanced as rapidly as the nature of the ground (which was an open field and very muddy) would permit. The enemy about this time opened a very hot fire from his works, which were situated on the crest of a hill in our front. On arriving at the base of this hill I found a large number of men lying down. I supposed them to be the Eighty-first Indiana, who were in our front; but finding it impossible to halt at this point, I passed over them and pushed on for the works, and although we started in rear line, our color was the second on the works. That night we were sent on picket duty, and on the 16th we were again formed in rear line of brigade, and moved to the front and left, until we came near the Franklin pike, when we halted and threw up some light works. We were then moved farther to the left and halted, remaining there until the enemy's line was broken, when we started in pursuit, and moved forward until dark, when we halted. Since that time we have been with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy.

My loss during the campaign is—killed, none; wounded, 1 commissioned officer and 6 enlisted men, among whom was my color-sergeant; total, wounded, 7.

To the officers and men of this command I return my sincere thanks for their gallantry and promptness in doing their duty. It would be useless in me to designate any officer or man as doing more than another, as all did their duty truly and well.

I am, lieutenant, yours,

W. H. JAMISON,        

Captain, Commanding Twenty-first Illinois.

Lieutenant FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 186-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 14. — Reports of Col. Isaac M. Kirby, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30 and December 14-30, 1864.

No. 14.

Reports of Col. Isaac M. Kirby, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30 and December 14-30, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the late action at Franklin, Tenn.:

The brigade arrived with the division at Franklin about 12 m. November 30, 1864, and during the afternoon was placed in position on the right of General Grose's brigade, with three regiments (Twenty-first and Thirty-eighth Illinois and Thirty-first Indiana) in the front line, and temporary barricades constructed at once. Heavy firing was soon heard to the left of us, indicating severe fighting, and our picket-line in a short time became briskly engaged. I then put two companies of the One hundred and first Ohio in the front line, to close a gap between this brigade and that of General Grose. This disposition had just been made when the division pickets were seen coming in hurriedly, followed by a considerable force of the enemy, who came as far as the open ridge directly in our front, when we opened fire on him, and with two or three volleys drove him back. The skirmishers were then advanced, and held their position until the army withdrew. During the action I was ordered to send a regiment to report to General Ruger, commanding [Second] Division, Twenty-third Army Corps; the eight companies of the One hundred and first. Ohio not on the front line were sent, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McDanald. I understand that they were put in position on the line of works of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and did good work, holding a most critical point in the line until ordered away. Our loss was 2 men killed and 14 wounded.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. N. G. FRANKLIN,
            Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade, from the morning of December 15, 1864, to present date, including the battle of Nashville:

Late in the evening of December 14 I received verbal instructions from the general commanding division to have my command in readiness at 6 o'clock the following morning to move into position, preparatory to moving against the enemy's works. At 6 a.m. December 15 my brigade was under arms, and moved between 7 and 8 o'clock, with the division, to the Hillsborough pike, and out that through our line of fortifications, going into position, with my right connecting with General Grose, and my left resting on the Hillsborough pike, the One hundred and first Ohio, Eighty-first Indiana and Ninetieth Ohio forming my front line, the Twenty-first Illinois, Thirty-eighth Illinois, and Thirty-first Indiana my rear line, in the order named. The skirmishers of the brigade, under command of Major Hitchcock, Ninetieth Ohio, were taken from Thirty-first Indiana and united with those of balance of division, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hallowell, Thirty-first Indiana. During the forenoon I moved gradually forward, gaining ground to the right, conforming to the movements of the troops upon my right, and slightly refusing my left in compliance with instructions previously received, and rested at the foot of the long ridge intervening between our line of works and those of the enemy. In a short time this ridge was cleared of the enemy's skirmishers, and I was ordered to change direction a very little to the left, and move forward and occupy the ridge, which order was executed at once, resting about two-thirds of my line on the left of the Hillsborough pike, and resting in this position until 2 p.m., in support of Ziegler's battery, which had been placed in position on the left of the pike, and was working vigorously against the main line of the enemy's works. About 3.30 p.m. I received orders to move forward and occupy a low ridge in the open fields near the foot of the hill on which the enemy's works were, and immediately under his guns. I moved at once with the Ninetieth Ohio in advance, to secure the point or crown of the ridge, and formed my first line of battle along the crest of the ridge. The musketry fire here from the enemy's works was very annoying, and seeing a sunken roadway on the slope of the ridge next the enemy, I moved the front line into that, and found it an admirable protection, and brought up my rear line near the crest of the ridge, but under cover; in this position the enemy's balls were harmless.

This disposition of the troops being made, I was surprised to see Ziegler's battery again on my right in the open field and within easy musket-range of the enemy, and throwing shot into him thick and fast. This battery, together with one placed in position by General Kimball, near the left of my brigade, soon worked confusion in the ranks of rebeldom, and at 4.15 p.m. I was ordered to charge the enemy's works. The front line led off at the "double-quick," followed closely by the second line, each regiment of the front line striving to be the first to plant their colors on the rebel works, and the rear line eager to support their gallant comrades going before. The musketry fire encountered was very severe, but the front line was equal to the task, although they struggled over heavy ground and up a sharp ascent. The flags of the three regiments were carried so near a true line that neither can claim much honor over the other for being the first on the works, and the rear line was close on the heels of the front in crossing the works. Here the brigade captured four guns, one Rodman and three brass Napoleons. Reforming our line we changed front to the east and moved in that direction, crossing the Granny White pike, and halting some time after dark, bivouacked in line. December 16, this command was held in reserve for the division until after our lines became heavily engaged, when I was ordered to the left of the Second Division, to support either that division or the Third, as they might need help. Frequently through the day I was exposed to the artillery fire of the enemy, but escaped with the loss of three men wounded. When the works were carried I followed the Second Division, and shifted to the right until was again in rear of the First Division and moved with that in pursuit. From that time to the present I have moved in column with the division in pursuit of the enemy, not having been actively engaged since.

Our loss on the 15th was—officers, killed, 1; wounded, 5; men, killed, 19; wounded, 92; on the 16th, men, wounded, 3; total, 120.

Capt. E. M. Schell, Eighty-first Indiana, killed in the assault on the 15th, was a young officer known by all in the brigade and admired for his accomplishments and gentlemanly qualities, and honored for the remarkable gallantry he displayed in all actions in which he was engaged. All of my officers displayed that gallantry for which they are ever conspicuous, and on this occasion seemed determined, as did most of the men, that there should be no failure if human efforts would avail. With such officers as Col. John T. Smith, Thirty-first Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio, and Lieutenant-Colonel McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio, to control and direct a line, a brigade commander need have no fear for the reputation of command. I would also call the attention of my superiors to Lieut. Col. James R. Hallowell, Thirty-first Indiana, who commanded the division skirmish line on the 15th of December. His personal gallantry on that day, and the ability with which he handled the skirmish line, is rarely equaled and I have never seen surpassed; he deserves great credit. I am again called upon to express my thanks to, and my warmest admiration for, my staff officers—Lieut. William Felton, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. T. J. Stevens, acting inspector general; Capt. William N. Beer, topographical engineer, and Lieut. J. C. Smith, aide-de-camp for their intelligent discharge of duties. They rendered great aid in the assault on the enemy's works by being mounted and continually on the front line. Lieutenant Felton distinguished himself by seizing the colors of the Ninetieth Ohio and bearing them on horseback through an embrasure in the works. My escort deserve my warmest thanks for their devoted attention, riding with me at all times and bearing my flag to the front in the assault till the works were carried.

For further particulars I have the honor to call your attention to the accompanying reports of regimental commanders.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. E. D. MASON,
        Assistant Adjutant-General.

In addition to the above report I would call special attention to the gallantry of Color-Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, One hundred and first Ohio. When about to cross the enemy's works he was met by a rebel officer with drawn saber and seemingly in command of that portion of the line. Sergeant Hall demanded the surrender of this officer and was refused. He (the sergeant) then brought into requisition the spear of his flag-staff and compelled an unconditional surrender.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 184-6

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 27, 1862

Camp on Corinth Road, Miss., May 27, 1862.

Why don't you write me just a word, if no more? I'm almost uneasy. Not a line from home for a month. We hear that smallpox is raging in Canton, and — I want you to write. They say there is some smallpox in the center and right of the army, but think 'tis like the milk sickness of our Egypt, “a little further on.” There's enough sickness of other kinds, so we have no room for grumbling if we can't have that disease. The hospitals at Hamburg make almost a city. I think there can be no more sorrowful sight, real or imaginary, than that camp of the sick.

I don't know the number of patients, somewhere in thousands, all packed in tents as closely as they can lie, and with not one-tenth the care a sick horse would get at home. I suppose the surgeons, stewards and nurses have [f]eelings like men when they first enter the hospitals, but familarity with disease and suffering seem to make them careless and indifferent to a degree that surprises me, and I can't but look upon it as criminal. I suppose nearly half the bad cases are typhoid fever. Yellow fever, cholera and smallpox have never been known here to the citizens. They all say this is a very healthy country, and I believe it. Our boys are suffering from the change of climate and water, and as much as anything, the sudden change in temperature. Our regiment is improving in health now rapidly. We have gained about 40 for duty within a week. We had about 250 sick last week. The 17th has some 300. I found a batch of live secesh women last Sunday. I rode up to a fine looking house to get a glass of milk (I suppose I drink more milk than any six calves in Fulton) and found eight or ten ladies at dinner, accepted a rather cool invitation to dine wid’ ’em, and did justice to their peas and fodder generally, and was much amused. Think there was more spice to that dinner than I ever before saw. One black-eyed vixen opened the ball with “I don't see how you can hold your head up and look people in the face, engaged in the cause you are.” I told her I thought she had a free way of ’spressing her opinion. “Yes,” says she, “I can't use a gun but I can tongue lash you, and will every chance.” Then they all joined in, but I found that eating was my best “holt,” so they had it their own way. When I'd finished my dinner, told them “a la Buell,” that I thought their house would make, an excellent hospital, and that we'd probably bring out 80 or a 100 patients the next day for them to take care of. Scared them like the devil, all but one, and they all knew so much better places for the sick. This odd one said she had a way of “putting arsenic in some people's feed, and she'd do it, too.” Told her we'd give her a commish as chief taster, and put her through a course of quinine, asafœtida and sich. Said she'd like to see us dare to try it, she would. They were too much for me, but I'll never pass that place without calling. I'd give my shirt to have had Ame Babcock there. Those are the first outspoken female seceshers I have yet seen.

Deserters say that the Rebels have positively no forage or provisions in Corinth. That the Memphis and Mobile railways can barely bring enough daily, scraped from the whole length of the lines to feed the army. It is reported here that Sherman took possession of the Memphis road west of Corinth yesterday and has fortified his position. Pope got two or three men killed yesterday. There was about 5,000 of the enemy camped in the woods one and one-half miles in front of his posish, and he drove them back until they were reinforced and made him scoot again. I was out with a scout Sunday and started again last night at dark (Monday) and was out until 9 this a. m. The cause was some small bands raising the d---1 on our left. We didn't catch them. We were over to the Tennessee, Sunday, where we could see the sacred soil of Alabama. I like Alabama better than any other Southern State. She's never done the “blowing” the others have and people here say that she's nearer loyal than any other Southern state. They're raising loyal companies here now. There are two full in Savannah.

General Jeff C. Davis' division passed here to-day to join Pope's corps. Davis stopped with us and made quite a visit. General Ash of this division goes forward to-morrow. The 21st and 38th Illinois from Stules division went out yesterday. Eleven regiments in all added to Pope's command in two days; except the last two they were all at Pea Ridge and some at Wilson's Creek. A splendid lot of men but not drilled equal to many regiments of the “Army Miss.”

I don't honestly believe that we have with all our reinforcements 100,000 men here; but don't believe the Rebels have 75,000; of course I mean effective men that can be called on the field to fight. We have just received orders to move to front to-morrow.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 92-4

Colonel Ulysses S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant, August 3, 1861

Mexico. Mo.,

Aug. 3d, 1861.

Dear Father:

I have written to you once from this place and received no answer, but as Orvil writes to me that you express great anxiety to hear from me often, I will try to find time to drop you a line twice a month, and oftener when anything of special interest occurs.

The papers keep you posted as to army movements, and as you are already in possession of my notions on secession nothing more is wanted on that point. I find here however a different state of feeling from what I expected existed in any part of the South. The majority in this part of the State are secessionists, as we would term them, but deplore the present state of affairs. They would make almost any sacrifice to have the Union restored, but regard it as dissolved, and nothing is left for them but to choose between two evils. Many, too, seem to be entirely ignorant of the object of present hostilities. You cannot convince them but that the ultimate object is to extinguish slavery by force. Then, too, they feel that the Southern Confederacy will never consent to give up their State, and as they, the South, are the strong party, it is prudent to favor them from the start. There is never a movement of troops made, that the secession journals through the country do not give a startling account of their almost annihilation at the hands of the State troops, whilst the facts are, there are no engagements. My regiment has been reported cut to pieces once that I know of, and I don't know but oftener, whilst a gun has not been fired at us. These reports go uncontradicted here and give confirmation to the conviction already entertained that one Southron is equal to five Northerners. We believe they are deluded, and know that if they are not, we are. Since I have been in command of this military district, (two weeks), I have received the greatest hospitality and attention from the citizens about here. I have had every opportunity of conversing with them freely and learning their sentiments, and although I have confined myself strictly to the truth as to what has been the result of the different engagements, the relative strength, the objects of the Administration, and the North generally, yet I think they don't believe a word.

I see from the papers that my name has been sent in for Brigadier General. This is certainly very complimentary to me, particularly as I have never asked a friend to intercede in my behalf. My only acquaintance with men of influence in the State was whilst on duty at Springfield, and I then saw so much pulling and hauling for favors that I determined never to ask for anything, and never have, not even a colonelcy. I wrote a letter to Washington tendering my services, but then declined Governor Yates’ and Mr. Trumbull’s endorsement.

My services with the regiment with which I now am have been highly satisfactory to me. I took it in a very disorganized, demoralized and insubordinate condition, and have worked it up to a reputation equal to the best, and, I believe, with the good will of all the officers and all the men.  Hearing that I was likely to be promoted, the officers, with great unanimity, have requested to be attached to my command. This I don't want you to read to others for I very much dislike speaking of myself.

We are now breaking up camp here gradually. In a few days the last of us will be on our way for the Missouri River, at what point cannot be definitely determined, wood and water being a consideration, as well as a healthy, fine site for a large encampment. A letter addressed to me at Galena will probably find me there. If I get my promotion I shall expect to go there for a few days.

Remember me to all at home and write to me.

Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT.

SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 43-6

Colonel Ulysses S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant, July 13, 1861

East Quincy. Mo.,

July 13th, 1861.

Dear Father:

I have just received yours and Mary's letters and really did not know that I had been so negligent as not to have written to you before. I did write from Camp Yates, but since receiving yours remember that I did not get to finish it at the time, and have neglected it since. The fact is that since I took command of this regiment I have had no spare time, and flatter myself, and believe I am sustained in my judgment by my officers and men, that I have done as much for the improvement and efficiency of this regiment as was ever done for a command in the same length of time. — You will see that I am in Missouri. Yesterday I went out as far as Palmyra and stationed my regiment along the railroad for the protection of the bridges, trestle work, etc. The day before I sent a small command, all I could spare, to relieve Colonel Smith who was surrounded by secessionists. He effected his relief, however, before they got there. Tomorrow I start for Monroe, where I shall fall in with Colonel Palmer and one company of horse and two pieces of artillery. One regiment and a battalion of infantry will move on to Mexico, North Missouri road, and all of us together will try to nab the notorious Tom Harris with his 1200 secessionists. His men are mounted, and I have but little faith in getting many of them. The notorious Jim Green who was let off on his parole of honor but a few days ago, has gone towards them with a strong company well armed. If he is caught it will prove bad work for him.

You no doubt saw from the papers that I started to march across the country for Quincy. My men behaved admirably, and the lesson has been a good one for them. They can now go into camp after a day’s march with as much promptness as veteran troops; they can strike their tents and be on the march with equal celerity. At the Illinois River, I received a dispatch at eleven o’clock at night that a train of cars would arrive at half past eleven to move my regiment. All the men were of course asleep, but I had the drum beaten, and in forty minutes every tent and all the baggage was at the water's edge ready to put aboard the ferry to cross the river.

I will try to keep you posted from time to time, by writing either to you or to Mary, of my whereabouts and what I am doing. I hope you will have only a good account of me and the command under my charge. I assure you my heart is in the cause I have espoused, and however I may have disliked party Republicanism there has never been a day that I would not have taken up arms for a Constitutional Administration.

You ask if I should not like to go in the regular army. I should not. I want to bring my children up to useful employment, and in the army the chance is poor. There is at least the same objection that you find where slavery exists. Fred, has been with me until yesterday; I sent him home on a boat.

Yours &c.

U. S. GRANT.

SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 40-2

21st Illinois Infantry

Organized at Mattoon, Ill., and mustered in June 28, 1861. Ordered to Ironton, Mo., July 3, 1861. Operations on line of Hannibal & St. Jo. R. R. at Mexico, Mo., till August. Reached Ironton, Mo., August 9.  Attached to Department of Missouri to March, 1862. Steele's Command, Army of Southeast Missouri, to May, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, Army of the Ohio, to October, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to August, 1865. Department of Texas to December, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Ironton, Mo., till January, 1862. Operations about Ironton, Mo., October 17-25, 1861. Action at Fredericktown October 21. March from Ironton to Greenville January 29, 1862, and duty there till March. Moved to Reeve's Station, on Black River, March 3-10, thence to Doniphan and Pocohontas, Ark., March 31-April 21. Action at Putnam Ferry April 1. March to Jacksonport, Ark., April 30-May 4, thence to Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 10-21, and to Hamburg Landing May 21-24. Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 26-30. Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. March to Jacinto and Ripley June 29-July 4. At Corinth, till August 14. March through Alabama to Nashville, Tenn., and to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg, August 14-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-16. Battle of Perryville October 8. Stanford October 14. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 9, and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Nolensville, Knob Gap, December 26. Battle of Stone River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro till June. Reconnoissance from Murfreesboro March 6-7. Methodist Church, Shelbyville Pike, March 6. Reconnoissance to Versailles March 9-14. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 24-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga September 24-October 27. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Duty at Bridgeport, Ala., till January 26, 1864. Moved to Ooltewah January 26. Veterans absent on furlough till June. Non-Veterans attached to 101st Ohio Infantry till June 4, when Veterans returned. Atlanta Campaign May to September, 1864. Tunnel Hill May 6-7. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Demonstrations on Dalton May 9-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 23-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battle about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Mount June 10. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 3-30. Nashville Campaign November-December. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Spring Hill November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. March to Huntsville, Ala., and duty there till March 13, 1865. Operations in East Tennessee till April 11. At Nashville, Tenn., till June. Moved to New Orleans, La., June 17-25, thence to Indianola, Texas, July 12-15. Duty at San Antonio, Texas, till December. Mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, December 16, and discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., January 18, 1866.

Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 124 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 140 Enlisted men by disease. Total 272.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1053-4

Henry Hardy

Private, Co. I, 21st Illinois Infantry

Killed December 30, 1862, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Isaac Grooms

Private, Co. C, 21st Illinois Infantry

Killed December 30, 1862, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Further from Ft. Donelson

FT. DONELSON, via CAIRO, Feb. 20. – The number of field pieces taken in the Union victory here is much larger than heretofore telegraphed.  We have at least 70 guns.  Among them are bronze and iron rifled pieces of English manufacture.  Taylor’s battery captured a beautiful riffled piece, an intimation of the Parrott, made in England, and 2 bronze rifled pieces.

The prisoners will amount to full 15,000, all contrary assertions notwithstanding.

The small arms captured amount to 20,000.

So far as I can ascertain, our loss is:

49^th Illinois, killed and wounded, 40.

Taylor’s Battery, 1 killed and 4 wounded.

18^th Illinois, Killed 45; about 60 wounded.

17^th Illinois, killed 4, wounded 20.

12^th Iowa killed 3, wounded 64.

58^th Ohio, wounded 8.

14^th Iowa, 6 killed, 50 wounded.

2^nd Iowa, 38 killed, 150 wounded.

9^th Illinois, 35 killed, 60 wounded.

41^st Illinois, 17 killed, 140 wounded.

20^th Illinois, 21 killed, 118 wounded.

30^th Illinois, 19 killed, 71 wounded.

8^th Illinois, 56 killed, 186 wounded.

21^st Illinois, 40 killed, 200 wounded.

12^th Illinois, 35 killed, 109 wounded.

It is utterly impossible, as yet to make out anything like a full list of the names of the killed and wounded.  I will send them to you as soon as they can be made out by the officers.

The number of Rebels killed, is at the least calculation 800, and their wounded more than double that number.

Other important movements are now on foot in this region.  Keep your ears open for stirring news.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

St. Louis News

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18. – A disgraceful affair occurred at Jefferson City yesterday.  A local Sheriff seized a contraband on the arrival of the train from Otterville.  Lieut. Hannah, of the Ohio Cavalry, attempted to procure his release, when the Sheriff threatened to shoot him.  An order from headquarters released the negro and prevented serious collision.

The 21^st Illinois is now at Greenville, and are about to start for Bloomfield.  The 33d and 38^th are still at Pilot knob and Ironton.

The second seizure of goods was made at the residence of W. G. Clark, to-day, to make up a deficit existing after the former sale.  Steamboats are loading with troops as fast as possible.

Mr. Wm. McShenn of this city, accompanied by 12 experienced nurses, and an immense store of hospital supplies, leaves here this afternoon by railroad to supply comforts to the Ft. Donelson wounded.

Several secessionists who have been particularly biter since yesterday, have been arrested.  Secession here is generally remarkable quiet.

Claimants whose claims are ready for delivery from the Claims Commission of this city, are requested, by the Secretary of the Commission, to send or call for them immediately.

Memphis is spoken of by Gen. Halleck’s staff officers as the next place in his department to fall.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Joseph W. Maxwell

Private, Co. I, 21st Illinois Infantry

Killed December 30, 1862, Battle of Stones River

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18.

A disgraceful affair occurred at Jefferson City yesterday.  The local sheriff seized a contraband on the arrival of the train from Otterville.  Lieut. Hannah, of the Ohio Cavalry then attempted to procure his release, when the sheriff threatened to shoot him.  An order from headquarters released the negro and prevented a serious collision.

The 21st Illinois is now at Greenville and about to start for Bloomfield.  The 33d and 38th are still at Pilot Knob and Ironton.

A second seizure of goods was made at the residence of W. J. Clark to-day, to make up a deficit existing after the former sale.

Steamboats are loading with troops as fast as possible.

Mr. Wm McSheen of this city, accompanied by 12 experienced nurses, and an immense store of hospital supplies, leaves here this p.m. by railroad, to supply comforts to the Fort Donelson wounded.

Several secessionists who have been particularly bitter since yesterday, have been arrested.  Secession here is generally remarkably quiet.  Claimants whose claims are ready for delivery from the claim commission of this city are requested by the Secretary of the commission to send or call for them immediately.

Memphis is spoken of by Gen. Halleck, as the next place in his department to fall.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1