History of the 15th Illinois Cavalry

15th Illinois Cavalry
Regiment History


Adjutant General's Report

The companies that composed the Fifteenth Cavalry were independent 
companies, attached to Infantry Regiments, and acted as such.

Moved with the army from Cairo in the spring of 1862, up the Tennessee 
River to Fort Henry. Disembarked and was moving to the rear, when the 
Fort was evacuated by the rebels; took possession, but remained there a 
few days only.

Moved, under command of General Grant, to Fort Donelson. Fort 
surrendered after a siege of three days. Moved with the fleet up 
Tennessee River to Pittsburg Land. Participated in the Shiloh battle, 
April 6 and 7, 1862.

Moved with the army in the siege of Corinth. Fort evacuated about May 1, 
1862. Ordered from there to Jackson, Tenn. There and then organized into 
Stewart’s Battalion, commanded by Colonel Cornine.

Moved in the month of November to Corinth, Miss.

In the spring of 1863, organized the Fifteenth Regiment. George A. Bacon 
was appointed Colonel. F. T. Gilbert, Lieutenant Colonel. We were under 
command of General G. M. Dodge. Scouted through the States of 
Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, till October 1863; moved 
by the way of Memphis. Remained three weeks under command of General 
Hurlbut, thence to Helena, Ark., arriving about the month of November 
1863. Then, under command of General Buford of Illinois, did post duty 
and long severe scouting through Arkansas and Mississippi.

August 10, 1864, ordered to Springfield, Ill., to be discharged. By 
expiration of term of service, mustered out August 25, 1864.

The recruits who were enlisted in 1863, were consolidated with the Tenth 
Illinois Cavalry. Moved to San Antonio, Tex., and mustered out of 
service.

History of Company I, Fifteenth Cavalry

This company was organized at Aurora, Kane county, Ill., August 2, 1861, 
by Captain Albert Jenks, and was mustered in, September 23, as Cavalry, 
attached to Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers.

On 24th September, moved from camp, and reported to the Regiment, at 
Rolla, Mo. On 31st December, reported to Colonel Carr, commanding Third 
Illinois Cavalry, and moved to Bennett’s Mills. On February 10, 1862, 
moved to Osage Springs, Mo., arriving on 20th. March 2d, moved, with 
Siegel’s Division, to near Bentonville, losing 4 men taken prisoners. 
Was engaged, March 7 and 8, at Pea Ridge.

Moved, with the army, to Salem. May 1, ordered to White River. Returned 
to Batesville, on the 9th. Was engaged in the movements of Asboth’s 
Division, and arrived at Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 24. Moved to Hamburg 
Landing, Tenn. Was escort for General Rosecrans, at battle of Corinth, 
October 3 and 4.

December 25, 1862, was assigned to the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. On 
9th June 1863, moved to Memphis. May 20, landed at Chickasaw Bayou, and 
was engaged in the operations against Vicksburg, with the Regiment. 
August 17, moved to Carrollton, La. September 5, moved, with Fourth 
Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, to Morganzia, La., and was engaged in 
the campaign, General Herron commanding. October 10, returned to 
Carrollton. 15th, moved to Brashear, La., and, on 17th, to New Iberia, 
La. Was engaged in scouting, and various expeditions, reporting to 
Brigadier General A. L. Lee, as escort, January 5, 1864.

On February 11, the company moved for Illinois, for veteran furlough, 
and, on 26th, the men were furloughed at Chicago, Ill.


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