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8th Illinois Cavalry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Eighth Illinois Cavalry. — Cols., John F. Farnsworth,
William Gamble; Lieut. -Cols., William Gamble, David R. Clendenin; Majs.,
David R. Clendenin, John L. Beveridge, William G. Conklin, Daniel
Dustin, William H. Medill, Elisha S. Kelly, Alpheus Clark, George A.
Forsyth, John M. Waite, James D. Ludlam, Edward Russell. This regiment
was organized at St. Charles and was mustered in Sept. 18, 1861, for
three years. On Oct. 13 it moved to Washington City and camped at
Meridian Hill on the 17th. It was soon afterward ordered to Virginia and
remained at Warrenton until April 12, 1862, at four different times
driving the enemy across the Rappahannock. It was also engaged during
the advance of the army up the Peninsula. On June 26 six companies met
the advance of the enemy under Jackson at Mechanicsville, and held it in
check until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they were driven back to
the infantry lines. In the change of base which followed this action the
regiment did important duty at Gaines' mill, Dispatch Station and
Malvern hill, covering the extreme rear of the army and continually
skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry. It led the advance to the second
occupation of Malvern hill, and, with Benson's battery, bore the brunt
of the fight. In September it crossed into Maryland and was engaged at
Poolesville; captured the colors of the 12th Va. cavalry at Monocacy
Church and 20 prisoners at Barnesville; was engaged at Sugar Loaf
mountain, Middletown and South mountain, and at Boonesboro captured 2
guns, killing and wounding 67, and taking 200 prisoners. It was engaged
at the battle of Antietam and on Oct. 1 had a severe light with the
enemy during a reconnoissance to Martinsburg. It moved in advance of the
Army of the Potomac, and was engaged with the enemy's cavalry at
Philomont, Uniontown, Upperville, Barbee's cross-roads, Little
Washington and Amissville, arriving at Falmouth Nov. 23. During the
battle of Fredericksburg two squadrons were in the city till its
evacuation and the loss of the regiment up to Feb. 17, 1863, was 27
killed, 71 wounded and 20 missing. In the campaign of 1863 it was
engaged in actions at Sulphur Springs, near Warrenton, Rapidan Station,
Northern Neck, Boteler's ford, Upperville, Fairfield, Pa., Gettysburg,
Williamsburg, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Falling Waters, Chester gap, Sandy
Hook, near Culpeper, Brandy Station, the raid from Dumfries to Falmouth,
Pony mountain, Raccoon ford, Liberty mills, Manassas, Warrenton
Junction, Rixeyville, Mitchell's station and Ely's ford. Its loss in
these several engagements was 23 killed, 116 wounded and 37 missing. The
8th claims the honor of originating veteran enlistments, a majority
offering to reenlist as a regiment as early as July, 1863. In November a
few were sworn in, but the work of making out the veteran rolls delayed
the reenlistment of the regiment until Jan. 1, 1864, when it was again
in service. The veteran furlough having expired, it was ordered to the
East and again engaged in scouting in Northern Virginia. In February it
had recruited up to 1,140 men and entered upon duty as provost guard in
Washington, where it remained until June, 1865, when it was ordered out
to Muddy branch and thence to Monocacy creek, where it had the pleasure
of meeting Gen. Early on his famous raid. On July 17, following, it was
mustered out and returned home. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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