Fifty-first Infantry. - Cols., Gilbert W. Cumming, Luther
P. Bradley; Lieut.-Cols., Luther P. Bradley, Samuel B. Raymond,
Charles W. Davis, James S. Boyd; Majs., Samuel B. Raymond,
Charles W. Davis, Rufus Rose, James S. Boyd. This regiment was
organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago. Dec. 24, 1861, and on Feb.
14, 1862, was ordered to Cairo, moving to Camp Cullum on the
Kentucky shore on the 27th. On April 7 it moved against Island
No. 10, and on the next day pursued the enemy, compelling the
surrender of Gen. Mackall and several thousand prisoners. It
was also engaged in the battle of Farmington and in the siege
of Corinth ; assisted in repelling the attack of Breckenridge,
Morgan and Forrest on Nashville in November, and on Dec. 26
moved against the enemy under Bragg. It was in the thickest of
the fight at Stone's river, -losing 57 killed, wounded and pri-
soners. After some maneuvering it entered the battle of
Chickamauga at 4 P.M. Sept. 19 and lost that evening 90 men out
of 209 engaged. On the 20th it went into position on the ex-
treme right, was heavily engaged by noon, and in the afternoon
the whole division fell back in confusion to Missionary ridge.
The regiment was engaged at the battle of Missionary ridge and
lost 30 out of 15O men engaged. On Feb. 1O, 1864, the regiment
mustered as veterans and started for Chicago, where on the 17th
the men received a veteran furlough. Returning to the field,
it was engaged at Rocky Face ridge, losing 2 men wounded, at
Resaca losing 1 killed and 20 wounded; at Dallas it was engaged
11 days, losing 1 officer and 11 men wounded; in a skirmish on
June 15 it lost 13 killed and wounded; was engaged at Kennesaw
mountain and in the assault of June 27 lost 2 officers wounded,
and 54 men killed and wounded; was engaged at Peachtree creek,
its casualties being 5 wounded, and during the siege of Atlanta
was in a skirmish at Jonesboro, losing 2 wounded, and at Love-
joy's Station lost 3 wounded. During the whole campaign the
regiment lost 3 officers killed, 4 wounded, and 1O5 men killed
and wounded. It was engaged in the battle of Spring Hill,
Tenn., losing 12 wounded, and then moved to Franklin, where it
was heavily engaged, with a loss of 52 men killed and wounded
and 98 missing. It also participated in the battle of Nash-
ville, where it lost 1 man killed and 5 wounded. On April 11,
1865, C0. I - 90 men - joined the regiment from Camp Butler,
and on June 15 Co. F was mustered out of the service. The
regiment embarked for Texas in July, was mustered out at Camp
Irwin, that state, Sept. 25, 1865, and arrived at Camp Butler
Ill., Oct. 15, for final payment and discharge.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
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Stone's River after battle report:
Report of Col. Luther P. Bradley, Fifty-first Illinois infantry,
commanding Third Brigade.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, RIGHT
WING, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, January 8, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general
commanding, the part taken by the Third Brigade in the operations
before Murfreesborough, ending January 4.
On the morning of December 30, 1862, the brigade, under command of
Col. G. W. Roberts, advanced on the Winchester pike, having the right
of the column. About 9 o'clock we came on the enemy's skirmishers,
engaged with a regiment of Gen. Negley's division. The
Twenty-second Illinois was thrown out on the left, and the Forty-second
on the right of the pike as skirmishers, and soon forced the enemy back.
Houghtaling's battery was sent to the high ground, just in the edge of
heavy timber on the right, and the Twenty-seventh and Fifty-first Illinois
formed in line of battle to the rear of the reserves of the Twenty-second
and Forty-second, and on the left of the battery. We had active work
with the enemy's skirmishers all day, the battery occasionally shelling
them, but they were generally out of range. At noon the Fifty-first
Illinois relieved the Forty-second Illinois, and occupied the right of the
brigade line of skirmishers for the balance of the day. About dark the
skirmishers were withdrawn, and the brigade bivouacked on the field.
The losses for the day were 7 killed and 35 wounded.
On the morning of the 31st, the brigade was under arms at daylight, and
soon after formed line of battle. The enemy's columns opened out
from the opposite woods, and Col. Roberts ordered a skirmishing
force to advance and feel the timber on our left. Companies A and B,
Twenty-seventh Illinois, were thrown out under Maj. Schmitt, the
balance of the regiment being held in reserve, its left resting on the
pike.
About 8.30 a.m. Col. Roberts ordered the Twenty-second,
Forty-second, and Fifty-first to charge the enemy's columns, and
gallantly led them in person. The Forty-second and Fifty-first charged
in line, with the Twenty-second in rear of the Forty-second, at battalion
distance. These regiments went forward at the double-quick, and cleared
the wood in front of our lines, the enemy giving way before we reached
him. The line was halted, and opened fire in the timber. After some ten
minutes, the line on our right giving way, we were ordered to retire to
the lane leading at nearly right angles with the pike, and take a new
position.
Very soon the whole brigade was moved to the left and rear, and
formed in the cedar woods on the pike, east of the hospital.
Houghtaling's battery was posted so as to sweep the open ground and
timber the brigade had lately occupied. The forty-second and
Twenty-second were thrown to the left and rear of the battery, and the
Twenty-seventh and Fifty-first formed on the pike, fronting south. The
whole command was soon hotly engaged with the enemy, advancing on
the east and south. The Twenty-seventh changed front to rear on first
company, and the Fifty-first moved by the right flank, so as to form an
angle with the Twenty-seventh Illinois. Company K, Fifty-first Illinois,
under Lieut. Moody, was thrown out in advance of the battery to
the east, to skirmish the woods, and remained there until driven in.
Houghtaling's battery was worked with great spirit and vigor during the
whole action; it, as well as the regiments of the brigade, was exposed
to a cross-fire from rebel batteries situated at the brick-kiln, and at the
point occupied by Houghtaling on the 30th, as well as a heavy fire of
small-arms.
There the brigade met its chief loss; 400 were killed or wounded in two
hours. Col.'s Roberts and Harrington fell about 10.45 o'clock. At this
time the ammunition of the battery and of the infantry was nearly
exhausted. Being hard pressed by a superior force, and nearly
surrounded, it was thought necessary to retire.
At about 11 o'clock I withdrew the Fifty-first in concert with the
Twenty-seventh, under Maj. Schmitt, both regiments moving by the
right flank in good order. Houghtaling's battery was left upon the field,
after firing the last round of ammunition and losing more than half the
horses; being outflanked on both sides, it was impossible to bring it off
in its crippled condition. I was not informed of the fall of Col.'s
Roberts and Harrington until after the Twenty-second and Forty-second
had moved. These regiments, after suffering a loss of half their
numbers, retired toward the Nashville pike, striking it near the grounds
held by Gen. Palmer's division, and, being separated from the
brigade, reported to him.
The Twenty-seventh and Fifty-first were the last regiments to leave the
ground, the regiments of Gen. Negley's command having already
retired. As soon as I was informed that the command of the brigade
devolved on me, I sent Capt. Rose, of Col. Roberts' staff, to
report to Gen. Sheridan for orders, and fell back through the timber
toward the pike.
Not being able to find Gen. Sheridan, I reported to Gen. Davis,
who ordered me to re-enforce Col. Harker's brigade, then engaged
with the enemy, who was endeavoring to turn our extreme right and get
possession of the road. I took the Twenty-seventh and Fifty-first
in line of battle, just as our troops were falling back in some disorder,
and, after delivering a volley or two, charged a rebel brigade of five
regiments, routing them completely and taking some 200 prisoners. This
was the final effort on the right. about 1 p.m. we stacked arms and
supplied the men with ammunition, the Twenty-second and Forty-second
joining soon after.
On the morning of January 1 we stood to arms at 3 o'clock, expecting
an attack, and after daylight built a breastwork in front of the brigade
line. In the afternoon a brigade of the enemy issued from the timber
opposite our position and advanced on our line. As soon as they were
in range, I opened with small-arms and shell, driving them back in
disorder.
Observing that a part of them had skulked in the rocks, I sent out a
strong line of skirmishers, under Lieut. Hanback, of the
Twenty-seventh Illinois, and captured 2 lieutenants and 117 men, mostly
of the Third Confederate. The brigade occupied the same position on the
2d, 3d, and 4th of January, skirmishing more or less with the enemy
every day.
The entire loss of the brigade is 3 commissioned officers killed, 12
wounded; 58 enlisted men killed, 328 wounded; 161 missing; making
a total of 562.* This loss occurred on the 30th and 31st. I think there
is a considerable number of wounded men in the hands of the enemy,
who are now reckoned among the missing; but having no positive
knowledge of their condition, we account for them in that way.
I cannot forbear to express the sorrow felt by the whole command at the
loss of its senior officers, Col.'s Roberts and Harrington. They had
served with the brigade since last April, and had each been in command
of it for a considerable time. Long service had made the command
familiar with them, and inspired them with confidence in their judgment
and skill. They fell in exactly the line of their duty, and each met a
soldier's death, bravely.
L. P. BRADLEY,
Col., Cmdg. Brigade.
Lieut. GEORGE LEE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Division.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 370-29 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 Capt. Albert M. Tilton, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 27, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor, through Col. Walworth, commanding
demi-brigade, to submit the following report of the operations of my
regiment since the 23d instant:
The regiment left camp on the 23d about 1 p.m., following the
Twenty-seventh Illinois and forming line on its left on a knoll, near the
old picket line, when one-half the regiment was ordered forward to build
barricades. Moved forward to the breastwork at dusk, where we
remained until the afternoon of the 25th, when, after forming in strip of
timber in our front, we moved forward in rear of the Twenty-seventh
Illinois, with the Twenty-second Illinois on our immediate left. The
regiment marched in good order across the open field, under a heavy
from the enemy's guns, and scaled the ridge.
Maj. Davis, commanding regiment, having been severely wounded and
Capt. Bellows killed, I took command, and, by order of Col.
Walworth, moved the regiment forward, deployed as skirmishers,
supported by the Forty-second Illinois, about half a mile, where I
remained in skirmish line until ordered to encamp.
Moved out at 1 a.m., in rear of the Twenty-seventh Illinois, to Bird's
Mill; remained there the greater part of the day and returned to our old
camp at dusk.
As far as my knowledge extends, every officer and man did his duty.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. TILTON,
Capt., Cmdg. Regt.
Maj. S. L. COLTER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 250-55 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLIII.
[Series I. Vol. 31. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 55.]
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Report of Capt. Albert M. Tilton, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY,
Near Atlanta, Ga., September 12, 1864.
CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following condensed
report of operations of my command during the late campaign:
Left Cleveland, Tenn., May 3, and commenced skirmishing on the
5th at Buzzard Roost, where, on the 9th, part of the regiment participated
in an unsuccessful charge on the enemy's works. Had 2
men wounded at this point. The enemy fell back on the night of
the 12th, and we passed through Dalton on the 13th in pursuit, and
engaged them at Resaca on the 14th, losing Capt. Lester, killed,
and 20 men wounded. The enemy evacuated his works on the night
of the 15th, and we followed, skirmishing continually until the 19th,
when we halted, and the whole army rested for three days near
Kingston. Resumed the march on the 23d, and found the enemy on
the 25th near Dallas. After eleven days skirmishing they retreated,
and we rested three days near Acworth. The casualties here (near
Dallas) were 1 officer and 11 men wounded. Moved forward on the
9th of June, and on the 15th, being on the skirmish line, lost 1 officer
and 12 men killed and wounded. On the 17th the enemy decamped
to their intrenchments at Kenesaw, where nothing except
changes of line and light skirmishing occurred till the 27th, when
we participated in an assault on the enemy's line, losing 4 officers
and 39 men. The losses from the 15th to this time were 11 men
killed and wounded. The enemy left this line on the night of the
2d of July, and we marched to the Chattahoochee without further
hinderance than a show of resistance on the 4th. On the 10th
marched to Roswell, eighteen miles up the river, and crossed,
returning to our position in the corps on the 13th, and again crossed
the river on the 14th, and rested three days. Marched on the 18th
in support of the skirmish line. On the 20th supported and reenforced
the Eighty-eighth Illinois, First Brigade. Afterward
formed line, facing to the rear, and built breast-works. Casualties,
5 wounded. On the 22d confronted the enemy in their fortifications
around Atlanta, where we remained until the night of the 25th,
when we started on a raid, which resulted in the evacuation of Atlanta,
on the night of the 1st of September. In the skirmish near
Jonesborough on the 1st lost 2 men wounded, and on the 2d near
Lovejoy's, 3 men wounded. Remained at Lovejoy's till the 5th;
commenced a retrograde movement in the evening, regiment on
picket, and marched in triumph into Atlanta on the 8th.
This is a brief outline of operations, and somewhat imperfect,
owing to the fact that I have been in command since June 27 only.
I append a list of casualties during the campaign: Officers killed,
3; wounded, 5; total, 8. Enlisted men killed, 22; wounded, 79;
captured, 4; missing, 1; total, 106. Aggregate, 114.
I am, captain, very truly, your obedient servant,
A. M. TILTON,
Capt., Comdg. Fifty-first Illinois Infantry.
Capt. WATERMAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. L.] REPORTS, ETC.--ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND. PAGE 362-72
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 72.]
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Nashville, TN after battle report:
No. 60.
Report of Capt. Meritt B. Atwater, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, of
operations November 29-30, 1864.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.
COL.: I have the honor to submit the following condensed report of
the operations of my command during the engagements of November 29 at
Spring Hill, and on the 30th instant [ultimo] at Franklin, Tenn.:
On the morning of the 29th of November my command moved into column
and marched to Spring Hill, Tenn. Arriving at 2 p. m. with our brigade,
were put in position, and hastily threw upon slight works. Had just
completed them when the enemy came upon us in charge, striking the right
of the brigade. The right wing was ordered to support the Fifteenth Missouri
on our right, and warmly engaged, with the exception of the right company
of left wing. The left wing was not engaged. The left wing held their ground
until the right gave way
and they were receiving a flank fire in their rear, when they were ordered
to fall back, which they did in good order, rallying twice. The right was
commanded by Capt. A. M. Tilton, the left by Capt. Atwater. Falling
back under a galling fire from the enemy one mile and a half to rear and
left, again formed near the main body; when formed, were again moved in
position and threw up works. Our loss in this action was 12 enlisted men
wounded and 5 missing. On the morning of 30th of November moved into
column at 5 a. m. and marched to Franklin, Tenn., arriving at 11 a. m.
Moved into position, our right resting on the Nashville turnpike, and threw
up hasty works. The enemy appeared at about 5 p. m., moving upon us in
two lines deep. In this position we fought until the brigade on our right gave
way, when, under a heavy cross and front fire from the enemy, I ordered
my command to fall back to the second line. The enemy then were within
two rods of our front, and also on our flank. The retreat was over a clear
open field 600 yards to the inner line. Our casualties show the difficulty of
the position. In this action we lost 1 lieutenant and 5 enlisted men killed; 1
captain, 2 lieutenants, and 46 enlisted men wounded; 1 lieutenant and 89
men missing. Many of the missing undoubtedly are either killed or
wounded. The regiment was commanded Capt. A. M. Tilton until the
evening of the 30th, when we was wounded, and the command developed
upon me.
I am proud to say the conduct of the men was gallant in the extreme, with but very few exceptions, and worthy of veterans. Where all did their duty
so well, it would be invidious to specify individual instances of bravery.
I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,
MERITT B. ATWATER,
Capt., Cmdg. Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
[Col. JOSEPH CONRAD.]
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No. 61.
Report of Capt. Albert M. Tilton, Fifty Infantry, of operations December
15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS,
In the Field, January 3, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to make the following condensed report of the
operations of my commanding the battles of Nashville on the 15th and 16th
of December, 1864:
On the 15th My regiment occupied the works composing the brigade front
in skirmish line, and was not engaged. Joined the brigade on the morning of
the 16th and moved out in line on the right of the Forty-second Illinois.
Afterward moved to the right to guard the flank, but soon after rejoined the
brigade and formed on the right of the Sixty-fourth Ohio.
In the charge of the morning the casualties were 1 enlisted man killed and
1 officer and 9 men wounded. No casualties in the charge on the second
line.
Very respectfully,
A. M. TILTON,
Capt., Cmdg. Fifty-first Illinois.
Capt. PAINE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., 2d Division, Fourth Corps.
ADDENDA.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS,
In the Field, January 5, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to report the following as the number of
trophies taken by my command since November 30, 1864:
One battle-flag, taken by Sergt. M. Lewis, Company E, at the battle of
Franklin, and claimed and taken away by an officer of the Twenty-third
Corps.
One pistol and belt, taken from an officer of the C. S. Army as he came
over our works by Lieut. Charles Hills, Company K, which he has how
in his possession. He was wounded afterward and is now at home in
Chicago.
Several prisoners were captured and delivered to the corps provost-marshal,
for which the several men capturing have the receipts. These men are now
absent and I cannot at present give their names.
Quite a number of swords, &c., were captured at the battles of Nashville,
but were thrown away in the hurried marching that occurred afterward.
I regret that the want of sufficient data prevents me from making a more
complete report.
I am, captain, very truly,
A. M. TILTON,
Capt., Fifty-first Illinois, Cmdg.
Capt. PAINE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 278-93 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
[Series I. Vol. 45. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 93.]
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