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Illinois
THE THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.
(Three years )

     The Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was organized 
at Decatur, on the 3d day of July, 1861, and its services -
tendered to the President.  On the 23d day of the same month, 
it was accepted by the Secretary of War, as Colonel G. A. 
Smith's Independent Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.

     On the 4th day of August, left Decatur, and arrived at 
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, next day.  Remained there one 
week, and then was ordered to Marine Hospital, St. Louis.  
Eight companies were then mustered into the United States 
service.  Aggregate strength of Regiment, 793.

     On the 15th of September, moved, by railroad, to Jefferson 
City, Missouri.  25th of September, moved to Otterville - same 
transportation.  15th October marched to Sedalia, 15 miles, and 
joined General Sigel's advance on Springfield; arrived there on 
26th.  Distance marched, 125 miles.

     November 10th, marched to Wilson's Creek, and returned on 
the 12th.  Distance, 25 miles.

     November 13th, left Springfield for Rolla; arrived there 
on 19th; distance 114 miles.

     January 23, 1862, began advance on Springfield, and 
arrived there on the 13th day of February.  Next day followed 
Price's retreating army, and arrived at Cross Hollows, 
Arkansas, on the 21st, after a hard and fatiguing march.  Line 
of battle formed, and skirmishing with rebels nearly every day. 
Distance, 228 miles.

     March 5, retired from Cross Hollows to Pea Ridge-12 miles. 
7th, Dodge's Brigade, composed of Fourth Iowa and Thirty fifth 
Illinois, infantry, with First Iowa Battery, moved north on 
Cassville road, about one mile and a half, to Elkhorn Tavern, 
and commenced the battle of Pea Ridge, for that day, about 10 
A.M.  Soon after were supported by Vandever's Brigade, composed 
of Ninth Iowa, Twenty fourth Missouri Infantry and Dubuque Bat-
tery, with a detachment of Third Illinois Cavalry - being 
the whole of Carr's Division.  The enemy, composed of Missouri 
troops, under General Price, were repulsed in all their at-
tempts to gain the table land upon which the Elkhorn Tavern 
and Pea Ridge are situated, until 4 P.M., when, assaulting 
Carr's position with 12,000 men and 30 cannon, it was carried 
after obstinate resistance and heavy loss.  This Regiment lost 
as follows:  Killed, 15; wounded, 45; prisoners, 55 - of whom 
15 were wounded.

     Colonel G. A. Smith was severely wounded in head and arm, 
early in the action, and was so disabled that he never rejoined 
his Regiment to take command of it after.  The Regiment was en-
gaged in repulsing the enemy on the morning of the 8th, but 
without loss.  The losses in Carr's Division, composed of four 
Regiments, two batteries, and detachment of cavalry, was more 
than half the entire loss of General Curtis' Army in the three 
days' fighting of that battle.  Distance marched, from Pea 
Ridge to Keitsville, 49 miles.

     April 5, 1862, commenced march to Batesville, Arkansas - 
Regiment in command of Major McIlwain.-.Lieutenant Colonel 
Chandler commanding brigade-arrived at Batesville May 8.  
Distance, 291 miles.

     May 10, assigned to General Jeff. C. Davis, Division, and 
began march to Cape Girardeau, Missouri; arrived there on 21st; 
distance, 252 miles.

     May 22, embarked on steamer Sunshine, for Hamburg Landing, 
Tennessee; arrived there on 25th.  On 27th, moved to Farming-
ton, Mississippi, and took part in siege of Corinth until its 
evacuation on the 30th.

     June 1, to 6, following rebel army, and in front of 
Booneville, 12th, camped at Clear Creek.  22d, at Jacinto. 
Distance marched, from Hamburg Landing to Jacinto, including 
counter marches, 92 miles.

     June 27th, trip to Holly Springs, and return; distance 
100 miles.

     August 8, marched to Iuka; distance, 35 miles.

     August 9, detached to guard Bear Creek Bridge; remained on 
guard duty until the 21st.  While at this place, sent to Iuka, 
112 bales of cotton, abandoned by rebel owners.  Left Bear 
Creek on the 21st, and joined Buell's Army at Murfreesboro, 
Tennessee, on September 1.  Distance, 175 miles.

     September 2, started for Louisville, Kentucky; arrived 
there on 25th.  Distance, 220 miles.

     October 1, advanced on Bragg's Army, in front of Louis-
ville.  On the 8th, was at battle of Perryville.  Skirmished 
with rebel left; no loss.  Reached Nashville, Tennessee, on 
6th: distance, from Louisville, 200 miles.

     November 10, was escort for train to Mitchelville; 
distance, going and returning, 60 miles.

     November 26, the Twenty-fifth and Thirty-fifth Illinois 
Volunteers started on four days' scout, to Harpeth Shoals; 
distance, both ways, 132 miles.

     December 26th, left Nashville, for Murfreesboro, via 
Triune; distance 45 miles.

     December 30th and 31st, 1862, and January 1st, 2d and 3rd, 
was in battle of Stone River.  Losses, as follows: Killed, 1 
commissioned  officer and 10 men; wounded, 1 commissioned offi-
cer and 44 men; missing, 21 men; captured and paroled, 4 men, 
wounded and paroled, 5 men; total, 2 commissioned officers and 
84 men.  Went into action with 20 commissioned officers and 
419 men.

     January 31st to February 12th, 1863, on scout to Franklin 
and return; distance, 84 miles.

     March 7th to 15th, on scout to Triune and return; distance 
52 miles.

      June 24th, left Murfreesboro, for Winchester, via Man-
chester and Tullahoma; arrived there on 3d day of July; dis-
tance 60 miles.

     August 7th to 20th, on march to Stevenson, Alabama; 
distance, 40 miles.

     August 28th, marched to Caperton's Ferry.  Next day, Heg's 
Brigade, composed of Twenty-fifth and Thirty-fifth Illinois, 
Eighth Kansas, and Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, crossed the 
Tennessee River, on pontoons, and drove the rebel pickets back, 
while the bridge was being laid - being the first Infantry on 
the south side of the Tennessee River.

     August 29th to September 19th, crossed Raccoon, Sand, and 
Lookout Mountains; marched to Alpine, to Dug Gap, six miles in 
front of Lafayette Georgia, and to battlefield of Chickamauga, 
distance 150 miles; September 19th and 20th, battle of 
Chickamauga.  Losses as follows:  Killed, 3 commissioned offl-
cers, 15 men; wounded, 5 commissioned officers, 125 men; miss-
ing, 12 men; total, 8 commissioned officers and 152 men.  Went 
into action with 18 commissioned officers and 281 enlisted men.

     September 22d, arrived at Chattanooga; distance, 15 miles.

     November 23d, was in assault on rebel rifle-pits, in front 
of Mission Ridge.

     November 25th, was in the storming and capture of Mission 
Ridge.  This Regiment was formed in front line on the left of 
Willich's Brigade, Wood's Division, Fourth Army Corps.  Wood's 
Division was the first to carry the crest of the Ridge, and the 
rebel works, there.  The men were led by the regimental flags 
being advanced in front.  The flag of this Regiment was carried
in advance of the men, to within twenty steps of the rebel 
works on the crest.  All the color guards but one, Corporal 
Preston, Company K, had been wounded, and he, at this time, 
being instantly killed, by a bullet through his head, the flag 
fell into the hands of Lieutenant Colonel Chandler, commanding 
Regiment, who was there to receive it, and by him carried into 
the enemy's works, followed by his men.  None were in earlier 
and the enemy's line was broken in many places nearly at that 
moment.  Losses as follows:  Killed, 6 men; wounded, 2 
commissioned officers and 46 men.  The Regiment went into 
action with 212 officers and men.

     November 28th to December 7th, on march from Chattanooga 
to Knoxville; distance, 138 miles.

     December 11th to 16th, on scout to Mayville, and return; 
distance, 30 miles,

     December 17th, marched to Blain's Cross Roads; distance 20 
miles.

     December 21st, ordered to Strawberry Plains, to rebuild 
railroad bridge across the Holston river.  Built and planked 
bridge, 1100 feet long, in 18 days.

     January 21, 1864, destroyed bridge at Strawberry Plains, 
and marched to Knoxville; distance, 16 miles.

     January 22d, marched to Loudon; distance, 27 miles.

     Remained at Loudon. building railroad bridge at that 
place, until the 13th day of April.  In that time, one scout to 
Knoxville, and return; distance, 54 miles.

     April 14th, marched to McDonald's Station; distance, 
60 miles.

     April 20th, marched to Altoona Station, and return; 
distance, 20 miles.

     May 3d, marched to Catoosa Springs; distance, 20 miles 

     May 7th to August 27th, Atlanta campaign; distance, 100 
miles,

     Losses during said campaign, as follows:  Killed, 1 
commissioned officer and 12 men; wounded, 5 commissioned 
officers and 100 men; missing, 6 men; total, 6 commissioned 
officers and 118 men. Most of the losses occurred at the 
following places:

     May 9th and 10th, Rocky Faced Ridge; May 14th and 15th, 
Resaca; May 26th and 27th, Dallas; June 18th, Mud Creek; June 
21st and 22d, Kenesaw.

     Major McIlwain was killed on the 22d day of June, in front 
of Kenesaw,  He was a brave and efficient officer - always 
prompt in the discharge of his duties.  He distinguished him-
self at the battle of Stone River, as commander of the skir-
mishers of the brigade.

     August 26th, left Chattahoochie bridge, for Chattanooga. 
Went into camp at Chattanooga on the 27th of August, and re-
mained until the 31st; then started for Springfield, Illinois, 
to be mustered out of service.  Were 11 days on the road to 
Nashville, having encountered Biffel's Cavalry, at Athens, Ala-
bama, and Wheeler's, at Campbell Station, Tennessee.  Rebuilt 6 
miles of railroad track, and brought everything through.  The 
Sixth Indiana Volunteers accompanied this Regiment.

     Were mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, on the 27th 
day of September, A. D. 1864.

     Total distance marched, exclusive of railroad and 
steamboat transportation 3,056 miles.

Source: Illinois Adjutant-General's Report, vol. 2, p. 713

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Stone's River after battle report: 

  Report of Lieut. Col. William P. Chandler, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry.

  HDQRS. THIRTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Camp
  near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 3, 1863.
  SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
  by this regiment in the movements and battles occurring from the time
  of the evacuation of Murfreesborough by the enemy, on January 3, 1863:

  December 26, the regiment was on picket duty, and, after the division
  passed outside the lines on the Nolensville pike, formed the rear guard.
  The roads being very bad, the train did not close up at night, and the
  command was placed in position to protect it.

  December 27, moved forward at daylight and joined the brigade before
  marching. Moved forward on the road to Triune, about 6 miles, and
  halted for the night.

  December 28, remained in camp.

  December 29, marched at daylight on the road to Lane's Store. Brigade
  formed the advance at Stewart's Creek, and slept on our arms at night.

  December 30, formed line of battle at 10 a.m. and advanced on the
  enemy's lines. Maj. McIlwain was placed in command of skirmishers
  of the brigade, and toward night was sharply engaged. Had 4 men
  wounded. Laid on our arms at night.

  December 31, skirmishing commenced at daylight. About sunrise the
  enemy advanced obliquely in strong force, striking first the
  Eighty-first Indiana and next the Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteers,
  causing them to retire from their position. Soon coming within range of
  our rifled muskets, we opened a murderous fire on their flank, checking
  their advance, and enabling the Twenty-fifth and Eighty-first to regain
  the ground lost. Our loss in the first charge of the enemy was light,
  owing to a strong position we had on the cedar ridge. Soon, however,
  the enemy reformed his broken lines, appearing with fresh troops on our
  right, and made a second desperate charge on our lines, causing them
  to waver and fall back, but again they were repulsed with terrible
  slaughter and our original position regained, except on the right, from
  which I had been retiring, by orders of the brigade commander, and, in
  obedience to those orders, I retired to the point of timber in rear of the
  cotton-field, my right being hotly, pressed by the enemy, and the whole
  line under heavy fire of the enemy's batteries. On reaching the timber,
  the regiment was halted, and messengers sent for ammunition, but,
  owing to the confusion on our right, where the rain had been parked,
  none could be procured. Having received no orders from the brigade
  commander in relation to the point to which I should retire, I governed
  my movements by the left of Carlin's brigade, and so continued to do
  until nearly reaching the Nashville pike, when other troops and batteries
  crowding in, separated us. I directed Maj. McIlwain to report to
  Col. Carlin and find out his position, with the intention of forming
  the brigade (then acting under my orders) on his left; but before his
  return was obliged to change my position, to give room to other troops
  then forming in line of battle. I moved the troops a short distance to the
  rear, procured and distributed ammunition, and, moving to the right and
  front, formed on the left of Carlin's brigade, and remained in that
  position until nearly night, when Col. Woodruff, returning, assumed  
  command, and we took position on the west side of the Nashville pike,
  and laid on our arms at night.

  Our loss during the day was First Lieut. H. M. McConnell, Company H,
  killed, and Second Lieut. Kagay, Company K, slightly wounded; 9
  men and 39 wounded.

  January 1, 1863, changed position to rear of the pike, and laid on our
  arms at night.

  January 2, about 4 p.m., moved across the river to our left, to repel the
  enemy's assault in that direction. After coming under fire of the
  enemy's batteries, formed line of battle, and advanced, under heavy
  artillery fire, to within range of their battery, and silenced it. Took the
  adjutant of the Forty-first Alabama and 12 men prisoners. Lost 1 man
  killed and 1 wounded. Laid on our arms at night.

  The officers and men deserve great credit for their patience and
  endurance, being exposed to drenching rain, cold, and hunger, without
  fire nearly all the time, for a week. No officer failed in his duties. All
  did well and deserve commendation.

  Maj. McIlwain had command of the skirmishers of the brigade on the
  30th and on the morning of December 31, and deserve great credit for
  the bravery and skill he displayed in handling them; and, after they were
  driven in and the action became general, he returned to his command,
  and by his cool courage and gallantry, shown throughout the entire
  conflict, deserves my highest commendation.

  Recapitulation of casualties.

  
                                 K     W      M      T
  Commissioned officers.......   1     1     ..      2
  Enlisted men................  10    49     25     84

       Total..................  11    50     25     86

  K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total.

  
  Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

  WM. P. CHANDLER,
  Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Regt.

  Lieut. FLYNN,
  Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brigade, First Division.

Source:  Official Records

  PAGE 294-29   KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA.   [CHAP. XXXII.
  [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]

*************************************************************************************

  Report of Lieut. Col. William P. Chandler, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry.

  HDQRS. THIRTY-FIFTH REGT. ILLINOIS Volunteers,
  In the Field, December 10, 1863.
  CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
  taken by this regiment in the action of the 23d, 24th, and 25th days of
  November, 1863:

  On the 23d day of November, this command was organized as follows:

  Company A, commanded by First Lieut. John Phillips, of Company
  H; Company B, commanded by First Lieut. William L. Warning;
  Company C, commanded by Capt. Parsons, of Company H; Company
  D, commanded by Capt. Vance; Company E, commanded by Second
  Lieut. F. M. Allhands; Company F, commanded by Second
  Lieut. Thomas Hogan; Company G, commanded by Capt. Nelson
  Staats, of Company K; Company H, commanded by Capt.
  S. M. Parsons; Company I, commanded by Second Lieut.
  C. V. B. Smith; Company K, commanded by Capt. Nelson Staats;
  Capt. Truax, Company I, acting as lieutenant-colonel.

  On the 23d ultimo, this regiment was formed on the left of the brigade
  in the first line of battle, supporting the left of the line of skirmishers,
  and advanced in its proper position to the enemy's rifle-pits, which were
  taken, and in which we remained during the night, with a loss of 1 man
  wounded.

  On the 24th ultimo, 2 men were wounded on the skirmish line, and at
  1 p.m. we were relieved in the rifle-pits by the Fifteenth Wisconsin
  Volunteers, commanded by Capt. Gordon, when the regiment was
  retired to the second line, where it lay in reserve until 12 m., 25th
  ultimo, when it took its former position in the front line and on the left
  of the brigade.

  During the forenoon the enemy threw several shells into our position,
  but without injury. About 2 p.m. I received orders from
  Brig.-Gen. Willich, commanding brigade, to be prepared to
  advance whenever the signal of six guns should be fired in quick
  succession.

  In compliance with these orders the regiment was formed in the front
  line and on the left of the brigade, supported by the
  Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteers; in the second line the
  Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteers on the right and the brigade of
  Brig.-Gen. Beatty on the left.

  The signal being given about 2.30 p.m., the regiment advanced in line,
  and in good order at quick time about one-half mile, when receiving a
  heavy fire from the enemy's batteries on Mission Ridge, about half a
  mile distant, the double-quick step was taken and maintained about a
  fourth of a mile, when the enemy's rifle-pits at the foot of the ridge
  were easily carried. Our line having then reached the line of
  skirmishers, both entered the enemy's works together.

  Having advanced more rapidly than the troops on my left, and reaching
  the enemy's works considerably in advance of them, I halted my
  command and fired a volley at a heavy column of the enemy retiring up
  the ridge under cover of a battery immediately in front of my left. The
  slight resistance made by the retreating column of the enemy induced me
  to believe that a vigorous charge would succeed in silencing or capturing
  their battery, the fire from which was very rapid, but not destructive.
  Directing my color sergeant to advance directly on the battery in front
  of my left, I ordered the regiment forward.

  They advanced rapidly to within 20 steps of the enemy's works, there
  being exposed to a very destructive fire from the enemy's infantry, the
  men, being completely exhausted by their rapid advance up the steep
  hill, were compelled to halt at that critical point. Fearing that the
  movement would fail, I moved to the front just in time to receive the
  colors from the hands of the sixth colors 
  corporal, Preston (the color sergeant, Alex. Hughes, and 5 corporals
  having previously been wounded), as he was instantly killed.

  About this time I noticed Capt. Houston, of the Twenty-fifth Illinois
  Volunteers, with one company of that regiment, gallantly supporting me,
  and also Lieut. McInerny, of the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, urging
  forward his men, thus enabling us to keep up a deadly fire upon the enemy
  whenever they showed themselves above their embankment, until the advance
  of the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteers came charging up the hill to our
  assistance, when, calling upon the men to follow, I carried the flag into
  the enemy's works, preceded by a gallant soldier of the Sixty-eighth,
  who was shot dead the moment he passed over their parapet.

  Lieut. McInerny, with the advance of the Eighty-sixth Indiana, with
  their flag, immediately followed, and in a few moments the colors of the
  Sixty-eighth entered on my right.

  During our advance up the hill and after entering their works, the
  enemy's battery immediately on our left was pouring in a heavy fire,
  and as soon as our front was cleared of infantry the colors of this
  regiment, together with the colors of the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-sixth,
  were moved rapidly to our left and the men called on to follow, which
  they gallantly did, driving the enemy before them and capturing two of
  their cannon. At that time I noticed an officer actively engaged leading
  on the men, whom I afterward learned was Capt. Watson, of the
  Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, and also another flag, which I believe was
  the flag of that regiment.

  After the capture of the cannon, the four colors were rapidly advanced
  to our left, the men of the various regiments following and pouring a
  deadly fire on the enemy's flank whenever he attempted to make a
  stand. Thus was he drive from his rifle-pits for 1 1/2 miles, our
  numbers constantly increasing by other commands coming up in our
  rear, and the enemy was repulsed by their assistance in a vigorous
  assault made about sunset.

  At dark, firing having ceased, I joined the brigade about 2 miles to our
  right. Many of the retreating enemy were overtaken and captured on the
  slope of the hill, and also large numbers in their works on the crest of
  the ridge.

  Too much praise cannot be given to both officers and men for their
  gallant conduct on that day. Maj. McIlwain, Capt. Keys, Company
  F, and First Lieut. George B. Peake arrived from Murfreesborough
  just in time to take part in the assault, and rendered valuable assistance
  by their activity and bravery. Capt. Keys and Lieut. Peake were
  wounded.

  The large number of the enemy killed in the works at the point carried
  by us shows the stubbornness of the resistance made by them, and
  attests to the skill and courage of our men, they killing more of the
  enemy in his works than our loss on the outside. Our colors received 32
  shots.

  Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

  WM. P. CHANDLER,
  Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Regt.

  Cap. CARL SCHMITT,
  A. A. G., First Brig., Third Div., Fourth Army Corps.

  CHAP. XLIII.]   THE CHATTANOOGA-RINGGOLD CAMPAIGN.   PAGE 266-55
  [Series I. Vol. 31. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 55.]


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