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.]
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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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