History of the 6th Illinois Cavalry

6th Illinois Cavalry
Regiment History


Adjutant General's Report

This Regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Ill., November 19, 1861.

Moved to Shawneetown, Ill., November 25, 1861, and encamped until 
February 1862, when it moved to Paducah, Ky., and, from thence to 
Columbus, Ky., where the Regiment was divided-5 companies going to 
Trenton, Tenn., 5 to Memphis, and 2 companies remaining at Paducah and 
Bird's Point. During the spring and summer of 1862 the several 
detachments operated against the guerrillas, and were in several 
engagements, the most important of which was Dyersburg, Tenn., and Olive 
Branch and Coldwater, Miss.- in all of which it was successful, with a 
loss of 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 taken prisoner.

Early in the fall of 1862, the detachments were again united at Memphis, 
and November 26, 1862, formed the advance of General Sherman's Army 
Corp, in its movements south towards Grenada, Miss.

In the latter part of December it was engaged, with others, in the 
pursuit of General Van Dorn, after his raid upon Holly Springs, engaging 
him for 7 consecutive days.

January 1863, the Regiment returned to Lagrange, Tenn., where it went 
into winter quarters, and operated against the numerous bands of 
partizan rangers. While thus engaged the Regiment, on one occasion, 
surprised and routed Richardson's command, near Covington, Tenn., 
capturing their entire equipage, ammunition, books, papers, etc.

Again, on the 29th March, a detachment of the Regiment was attacked, at 
midnight, by a superior force, and, although in a manner surprised, by a 
murderous volley poured into them while still sleeping, the command 
repulsed the enemy with effect-Lieutentant Wilson, and 8 men killed; 
Lieutenants Baker and Anderson and 29 men wounded. For the gallantry of 
the command a special order was issued, by General William S. Smith, 
complimenting officers and men.

April 1863, was engaged in the famous expedition which, under Colonel B. 
H. Grierson, made the tour through Mississippi and Louisiana. In this 
expedition the Regiment traveled about 800 miles, was engaged a number 
of times with the enemy; destroyed a vast amount of property, and 
arrived safely at Baton Rouge, La., May 2, 1863, after a continuous 
march of 17 days.

It operated under General Banks in the siege of Port Hudson, in June and 
July 1863.

June 2, 1863, formed a part of Colonel Grierson's expedition to Clinton, 
La. June 3, had a heavy engagement with the enemy, and returned to or 
near Port Hudson, La., June 4, with a loss of 2 killed, 4 wounded and 3 
taken prisoner.

Port Hudson having capitulated, July 8, 1863, the Regiment embarked, 
July 19, on board steamers for Memphis, where it arrived the latter part 
of July 1863.

Moved in August to Germantown, Tenn., where it encamped until November 
28, 1863, when it participated in Colonel Hatch's expedition to 
Covington, Tenn.; then to Lagrange, Tenn., there encountering General 
Forrest's forces. had a sharp engagement, but discovering the enemy was 
flanking around in the direction of Moscow, Tenn., the expedition was 
ordered to Moscow, where it arrived December 4, and had a heavy 
engagement, the Regiment sustaining a loss of 5 killed, 6 wounded, 20 
taken prisoners and 2 missing. Routed the enemy, and drove them 15 
miles, and returned to Germantown, Tenn., to its old camps, where it 
remained, operating against Generals Forrest and Chalmer's forces, until 
February 17, 1864, when it formed a part of General William S. Smith's 
expedition to West Point, Miss. There had a 3 days engagement with 
General Forrest's command and returned to Germantown, where it remained 
in camp until March 30, 1864, when the Regiment re-enlisted, as 
veterans, and ordered to Illinois, on furlough.

May 11, 1864, furlough having expired, the Regiment rendezvoused at 
Mattoon, Ill. Thence, moved to Memphis, Tenn., where it encamped until 
July, when 7 companies were ordered to proceed to Collierville, Tenn., 
to guard the railroad, until General A. J. Smith's expedition could move 
one and capture Guntown, Miss. Rejoined the Regiment at Memphis. 
Lieutenant E. Ball was killed, and 2 men captured, while on patrol duty 
at Collierville.

August 1864, all the effective part of the Regiment joined in General A. 
J. Smith's expedition to Oxford, Miss. August 13, had an engagement with 
General Forrest's command, at Hurricane Creek, Miss. Casualties, 3 men 
killed, 6 wounded.

The detachment that was left with the camps, at Memphis, participated in 
the fight with Forrest, when he made his raid into Memphis. Colonel M. 
H. Starr was mortally wounded, and 1 man slightly wounded, and 
Lieutenant Miller and 1 man captured.

The Regiment returned to White Station, Tenn., where it encamped until 
the first of October 1864, when it composed a part of General Hatch's 
expedition to march through West Tennessee to Clifton, on Tennessee 
River. There joined General Washburn's expedition of Infantry. The 
Infantry disembarked and moved in the direction of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 
General Hatch's Division of Cavalry composed the advance guard. After 2 
days march the Infantry returned to Clifton, and the Cavalry moved on to 
Lawrenceburg. Thence to Savannah, Tenn., and returned to Clifton, where 
it remained for a few days.

General Washburn's command of Infantry embarked on steamers, and 
returned to Memphis. General Hatch's Division of Cavalry moved rapidly 
to Pulaski, Tenn., where it encamped for a few days. On its arrival at 
Pulaski, the Sixth Illinois Cavalry was ordered back on a 2 days scout, 
on the Clifton road, and returned to the command at Pulaski. Then 
marched, with Division, down on Shoal River, near Florence, Ala., where 
it skirmished daily with General Hood's forces, while they were crossing 
the Tennessee River. Fell back, in advance of Hood's command, to 
Lawrenceburg, where it participated in a 5 hours engagement with the 
enemy. Then back to Columbia.

After crossing Duck River the command halted for a few days.

The Sixth Illinois Cavalry was ordered to move rapidly to Shelbyville, 
Tenn.; then cross Duck River, and move 20 miles down the river and cross 
at Pike Ford, and return to the command at Columbia. After 2 days march, 
arrived at Shelbyville; the third day, at Pike Ford. On arriving there 
it was ascertained that General Forrest's entire command had crossed the 
river, 6 miles below, the day before. By this time, the rebel scouts 
were discovered, in every direction. The Regiment being then almost in 
the rear of the entire rebel forces, the only chance to escape capture 
or annihilation was to swim the river and cut its way through, which was 
done with entire success. After crossing the river, the march was 
resumed, constantly skirmishing with the rebel patrol and flankers. 
After marching 18 miles, the Regiment camped so near the enemy that 
their fires could be seen, and they could be heard chopping wood. Next 
morning the Regiment resumed the march at one o'clock, and rejoined the 
command at Franklin, Tenn., at ten o'clock A.M. Its loss, on expedition, 
was 8 men missing. The battle of Franklin commenced at one o'clock, same 
day, in which the Regiment took an active part. After the battle was 
over, it marched to Nashville, Tenn., with the command, where it arrived 
about the last of November 1864.

December 5, 1864, the Regiment was ordered on an expedition to Glasgow, 
Ky., and returned to Nashville, December 13, and, on the 14th, was a 
part of the cavalry that charged and captured the two first redoubts, 
and 9 pieces of artillery, and a number of prisoners. This closed the 
first days fight. Lost 2 men killed, and 3 wounded.

On the morning of the 15th, the Cavalry was re-mounted, and moved on the 
right flank but, finding the country too rough, was compelled to 
dismount and fight on foot; and, while the Infantry engaged the enemy on 
the left and center, the Cavalry engaged it on the right. In the 
afternoon of the second day's battle, the enemy's lines were broken, and 
a general stampede ensued. The Cavalry was again re-mounted, and ordered 
in pursuit of the enemy. Had another engagement about dark, which 
terminated in the complete rout of the enemy. Pursued them to Florence, 
Ala., and there abandoned the pursuit.

Marched with the command from Florence, Ala., to Gravelly Springs, Ala., 
where it encamped until February 1865. Then moved to Eastport, Miss., 
where it remained until July 3, 1865, when it was ordered back to 
Nashville, Tenn. Then to Decatur, Ala. Then marched with General Hatch's 
expedition, to Montgomery, Ala., where it arrived July 25, 1865, and 
remained until the last of August, when it moved to Demopolis, Ala., 
remaining there 6 days. The Regiment was then divided-6 companies to 
remain, and 6 to march back to Mongtomery. Remained there until the last 
of September 1865, when the 6 companies at Montgomery were divided into 
detachments. Two companies marched to Opolika, Ala., 1 company to 
Tuskega, and the other 3 remained at Montgomery.

November 1, 1865, Regiment was ordered to march to Selma, Ala., to be 
mustered out of service.

Mustered out November 5, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, Ill, for 
final payment and discharge, where it arrived November 17, and received 
discharge November 20, 1865.


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