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65th Illinois Infantry
in the American Civil War
Online Books:
65th Illinois Infantry Soldier Roster - Report of the Adjutant
General of the State of Illinois, Volume 4, Revised by Brigadier General J.N.
Reece, Adjutant General, 1900
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Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry. — Cols., Daniel Cameron, William
S. Stewart; Lieut. -Cols., Daniel Cameron, William S. Stewart; Majs.,
William S. Stewart, John Wood, George H. Kennedy. This was known as the
"Scotch Regiment," was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, in the spring
of 1862, and was mustered into the U. S. service, May 1. It was ordered
to Martinsburg, W. Va., and on its arrival was brigaded with the 125th
N. Y. and Battery M, 2nd Ill. artillery. When Col., Miles surrendered at
Harper's Ferry the soldiers of the 65th were made prisoners by the
enemy, and although paroled they were not exchanged until April, 1863.
It then served in the campaigns in East Tennessee, taking part in the
battles about Chattanooga and in the defense of Knoxville. After a
severe winter campaign the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization
and went home on furlough in March, 1864, with over 400 men. Returning
to the field, it joined Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign and on
June 15 was brought into a sharp engagement with the enemy between
Kennesaw and Lost mountains. Lively skirmishing was continued until the
20th, when the advance was checked by a deep and almost impassable creek
— the enemy disputing the passage of the only bridge with artillery and
infantry. Volunteers being called for, about 50 men of the 65th Ill.
stepped forward and charged across the bridge, driving back the enemy
and holding the position until the remainder of the regiment crossed.
During July and August the regiment was engaged in numerous skirmishes,
some of them being quite severe. On Aug. 18 four companies drove a
superior force for over 2 miles. On Aug. 26, with 15 days' rations, it
began the successful movement south of Atlanta, driving the enemy from
Rough and Ready station and destroying the railroad, then moving to
Jonesboro and participating in that battle. It followed Hood into
Tennessee, was severely engaged at Columbia, losing 3 officers and 50
men, killed and wounded, and it was also in the battle at Franklin,
where it captured the colors of the 15th Miss. infantry. It participated
in the battle of Nashville, and afterward pursued the retreating enemy
to Clifton, where the regiment remained until Jan. 15, 1865. It was then
transferred to North Carolina, landing at Federal point on Feb. 7, and
was engaged in the heavy skirmishes there. It fought the enemy at
Smithtown creek, capturing 3 pieces of artillery and 350 men. From
Kinston the first five companies, except veterans, were sent to Chicago
for muster-out, and from Raleigh the remainder of the non-veterans were
ordered home. On May 1 four new companies of recruits joined the
regiment and in June 4 officers and 250 men were assigned to the
regiment from the 92d Ill., 2 officers and 120 men from the 112th Ill.,
and 25 men from the 107th Ill. On July 13, 1865, the regiment was
mustered out and started home, arriving at Chicago July 22, where the
men received final payment and discharge, July 26, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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