ILLINOIS ONE HUNDREDTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundredth Infantry. Col., Frederick A. Bartleson ; Lieut.-Cols., Arba N. Waterman, Charles M. Hammond; Majs., Charles M. Hammond, Rodney S. Bowen, Samuel G. Nelson. This regiment was organized at Camp Irwin, Joliet and was mustered in Aug. 30, 1862. The entire regiment was recruited in Will county. On Sept. 2 it moved via Springfield to Louisville, Ky., where it was placed in the 1st brigade, 2nd division, Army of Kentucky. The first engagement the regiment was in was near Bardstown, Ky., on which occasion it was ordered to make the charge. With a yell it moved forward, carrying everything before it, driving the enemy through the town and 2 miles beyond. At the battle of Stone's river, when Rosecrans' right was being routed, the regiment was ordered into action and gallantly charged the enemy, holding its ground without even a rail for protection, while the enemy soon fell back under cover of breastworks. During the bloody charge three days later, the regiment assaulted Gen. Hood's division and drove it back to its cover behind trees. In that day's struggle the regiment lost 24 killed and 80 wounded, and the next day in a desperate charge 15 men were captured. The next severe battle in which the regiment took part was Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge. It was on the left of Gen. Sheridan's division in the front line and charged directly in front of Orchard knob, carried the enemy's first works at the foot of the ridge, then after halting a moment, carried the ridge, capturing many prisoners and a battery and pursuing the fleeing army far into the night. The regiment was conspicuous in all the general engagements and skirmishes during that long and tedious march of 120 days from Chattanooga to Atlanta. On nearing Spring Hill, Tenn., in pursuit of Hood, a company of Confederate cavalry made an unexpected charge upon the regiment, which instantly executed a right flank movement and. charged upon the enemy with fixed bayonets, driving him over the ridge and out of sight. At the last battle of Nashville the regiment had the honor of taking an active part in the capture of Montgomery hill and turning the heavy guns upon the retreating foe. Next day it assisted in driving the enemy from Overton's hill and completely routed and demoralized Hood's army. The following statement gives some idea of the casualties of the regiment: Officers killed, 7; officers wounded, 8; privates killed in action, 66; died of wounds or disease 124; total killed, wounded or died, 205. The regiment was mustered out of service June 12, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago June 15, where it received final payment and discharge. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Stone's River after battle report: Reports of Col. Frederick A. Bartleson, One hundredth Illinois Infantry, including skirmishers near La Vergne and on the Murfreesborough pike, at Stewart's Creek Bridge. IN THE FIELD, AT STEWART'S CREEK, December 28, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report as follows of the part taken by my regiment in the advance on Stewart's Creek on the 27th December, 1862: We advanced on La Vergne in rear of the Twenty-sixth Ohio. After passing La Vergne some distance, we took the place of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, relieving their skirmishers. The march in line of battle was very difficult, owing to the obstacles in the way, and the rain had made the ground in places very fatiguing to be traveled over; the men, however, advanced very well. After arriving at the point where we are now bivouacked, near the creek, while the artillery was interchanging shots with the enemy, by direction of Gen. Hascall, I moved a little to the left. In a short time, hearing firing toward the left of our rear, I sent Capt. Munger's company (G) to protect our left flank, instructing him to take up his position near the crest of a rise of ground. He did so, and had just got ready for deploying his men when a force of the enemy's cavalry, numbering, perhaps, 50 or 60, came dashing along. Seeing them coming, Capt. Munger ordered his men to fire, and received some shots in return, when he ordered them to surrender, which they did, some, however, with great reluctance. All were taken that came up near his company, but some, who were behind, seeing those in advance surrender, wheeled to the left behind a house and escaped. The number, including Lieut. Seawell, Fifty-first Alabama Partisans, who was in command, taken was 24, besides 12 horses and saddles and 12 guns. A number of the prisoners, when they saw they must surrender, threw away their guns. One was wounded fatally and 2 slightly. Company B, while skirmishing, took 1 prisoner, who is in charge. Some of the horses were taken, I understand, by some other skirmishers, into whose line they ran, and some got away. None of our men were wounded, although one or two were struck by spent balls. Respectfully, yours, F. A. BARTLESON, Col. One hundredth Illinois. Capt. E. R. KERSTETTER, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fifteenth Brigade, Sixth Division. ----HDQRS. ONE HUNDREDTH ILLINOIS VOL. INFANTRY, On the Battle-field, near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 5, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundredth Regt. Illinois Volunteer Infantry during December 31, 1862: On the morning of December 31, 1862, while a portion of Gen. Van Cleve's command were returning from the ford of the creek (which up to that time had been guarded by the One hundredth Illinois and Fifty-eighth Indiana), not carrying out their original intention of crossing, my regiment was ordered to follow, in column of companies, the Twenty-sixth Ohio, which we did, and, moving with them toward the right, we at last took our position in line of battle on the right of the Fifty-eighth Indiana and in the rear of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, amid a scene of almost indescribable confusion, other regiments moving among us, ambulances and wagons hurrying to the rear, and scattered cavalrymen and negroes, urging their horses to their utmost speed, seeking a place of safety. We moved with the brigade farther on, until we came within the range of the enemy's cannon, and were exposed for a time to a heavy cross-fire of artillery. After remaining thus for a short time, the fire on the right becoming momentarily heavier, I moved, in pursuance of orders, across the railroad, the regiment resting at right angles with the road, the right wing on the right of the railroad, and the left wing on the left of it. I noticed at this time, and shortly before, that our troops on the right were falling back, belonging, I presume, to Gen. McCook's corps, and I was ordered to throw my men parallel to the railroad, which I did. The bank of the excavation being too high for a part of the regiment to fire in that position, I ordered them to get out of it and lie down on the left side of the railroad. The firing in this direction was pretty heavy, but my men were not called on to reply. I observed some troops falling back in considerable confusion. Some of them were rallied and formed in the excavation we had left, toward my right, but not in any considerable number. I am unable to say who they were. At this point a shell, which killed 5 men of an adjoining regiment, so affected my sergeant-major that he is bent to the ground with an injury that will probably affect him for life. I had noticed about this time that the firing was drawing near on the left of the position I then occupied, parallel with the railroad, and was apprehensive that our troops on the left side of the road might be taken on the flank. About this time Col. Hazen, of the brigade, directed me to file to the left. Asking him his name, and being myself convinced of the necessity of the movement, I complied, and moved forward in a line at right angles with that just left, until I came up with the One hundredth and tenth Illinois, Col. Casey. We halted here, and for a short time participated in a sharp fire of musketry, which finally ceased, leaving us to bear nothing except a cannonade, which gradually lulled. There was another regiment at this time behind us, but what one I know not. After a short time this was withdrawn, and I was left alone with the One hundred and tenth Illinois. There was at this point an open space (a cotton-field) in our front, and in a short time I discovered a large body of the enemy on the other side, across the field, apparently moving to attack us. The One hundred and tenth at this time formed on my left. I regarded the situation as extremely perilous, and informed Gen. Hascall, who was not far distant, of the same. He replied that he saw it likewise, but we must hold it. Shortly after, a force of our own was thrown across the field in our front, but was soon withdrawn. Informing my men that this was a good time to show what they were and make a reputation, and announcing my determination to them that they should stay there, I ordered them forward, and halted them at the edge of the wood. The One hundred and tenth said they would stay with us, and moved likewise. I commanded the men to lie down, but the enemy, having necessarily discovered us, opened upon us with a perfect storm of short, shell, and grape. A battery of our own in a short time replied behind us, and for the space of three or four hours the scene was fearful. Although so much exposed, I cannot but be thankful that we suffered so little, commensurate with our danger. The most of our loss, however, was incurred here. Second Lieut. Mitchell, Company A, was mortally wounded in the hip by a musket or rifle ball, of which he afterward died. They were both deserving officers, and did their duty nobly. Maj. Hammond had a narrow escape, having the skirts of his coat torn and a slight wound in the calf of his leg. First Lieut. George Bez and Second Lieut. McDonald, both of Company C, were somewhat wounded, but I think not severely. First Lieut. Kelley, Company K, was wounded severely in the right shoulder. Second Lieut. McConnell, Company I, was somewhat bruised by the limb of a tree striking him on the head, but has since returned to duty. The list accompanying this report will show the number of enlisted men and others killed and wounded. Night at last closed in and ended this unequal combat-unequal, because our men were compelled, to a great extent, to be spectators and sufferers without being allowed to be actors in the scene. I threw out skirmishers to the front of the regiment, and the men were ordered to lie down on their arms and forbidden to make fires. Our skirmishers soon came upon the enemy seeking his wounded, and, through misapprehension, some of my men took the horse of a rebel surgeon and 4 prisoners. I sent the horse back, and directed the messenger to say, without mentioning from whom the message came, that it was regretted that the men were taken, but, under the circumstances, they could not be released at present, but would be at the first fitting opportunity. The men themselves were quite pleased at the idea. Two more were brought in to me, being reported to have given themselves up and to be anxious to leave the Confederate service. I questioned them, and finding that it was entirely voluntary on their part, I sent them to Gen. Hascall, who took charge of them. I also sent out an ambulance, under charge of Dr. Woodruff, who brought in a number of our own wounded from the field. The others the next day I sent to the rear. I had no paper on which to express the facts; but if they can be identified hereafter (as they can be by some of my regiment) they ought to be returned. Recapitulation of killed and wounded. K W Commissioned officers........... 1 6 Enlisted men.................... 5 32 Non-commissioned staff.......... .. 1 Total...................... 6 39 Aggregate.................. .. 45 K=Killed. W=Wounded. Of the above, one commissioned officer died shortly after. I have not included in the above some of those who have been killed and wounded from among men detailed from the regiment in other parts of the service. Troops, I think, could not have behaved better than did the One hundredth. Considering that it was a new regiment; that since being mustered into the United States service its time has been almost entirely consumed in marching, precluding proper opportunities of drilling, and that its officers generally were new, it must be confessed, I trust and think, it did well. Where all did well, then, it is unnecessary to specify individual cases. Respectfully, F. A. BARTLESON, Col. One hundredth Illinois Infantry. Capt. EDMUND R. KERSTETTER, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Fifteenth Brigade. ----HDQRS. ONE HUNDREDTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY, January 5, 1863. The following is a continuation of my report after December 31, 1862, commencing with the operations of January 1, being supplementary to a report just made to Gen. Hascall, through his adjutant-general: Very early the next morning (January 1, 1863) we were ordered to change our position, which we did, but nothing was done that day. About 9 or 10 p.m. an order came to proceed to the front, which we did, in conjunction with the rest of the brigade, and relieved the Pioneer Corps, which was on duty there. Everything passed off quietly at night, but in the morning, while my regiment, which had been in the front line all night, was being relieved by the Twenty-sixth Ohio, the enemy opened upon us with artillery. We took up our position, notwithstanding, and were subjected, for a considerable space of time, to one of the most severe fires that troops can experience. The men lay in that position all day, without rations that day or the night before, and sunk deep in the mud. This made the second night without sleep, and, one might say, almost without food. Private George H. Atkins, Company K, was killed by a solid shot, which penetrated him and severed his arm from his body. We were here the spectators, to a considerable extent, of the fight on the left, which took place on the afternoon of the 2d. Near dark our regiment, with the remainder of the brigade, after being formed in line, and our skirmishers skirmishing with the enemy, proceeded to ford the creek on the left, which we did, and at last bivouacked in a terrible rain for the night. On the morning of January 3, with the rest of our brigade, we took our position behind the rail barricades or breastworks, relieving the Twentieth Brigade. Nothing transpired, except one of the most constant rains, lasting day and night. Early the next morning we recrossed to our present position. Troops could not have behaved better than did the One hundredth Considering that it is a new regiment; that its time has been mostly occupied heretofore in marching, furnishing but small opportunity for drilling; that most of its officers were new, it must be acknowledged that it did good service. Where all do well, it is unnecessary to specify individual cases. The following is a list of the killed: Private George H. Atkins, Company K. The above brings down the report to the time of occupying this present camp. Respectfully, F. A. BARTLESON, Col. One hundredth Illinois Infantry. Capt. J. G. ELWOOD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Fifteenth Brigade. Source: Official Records CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 483-29 [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.] Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Maj. Charles M. Hammond, One hundredth Illinois Infantry. HDQRS. ONE HUNDREDTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Chattanooga, September 26, 1863. SIR:I have the honor to report that on the 19th of September, at about 3 p.m., this regiment (Col. F. A. Bartleson, commanding) lay in position on the right of the Third Brigade (Wood's division), which was protecting the ford at Lee and Gordon's Mills. Orders were received to move at once in the direction of Chattanooga on the Chattanooga and La Fayette road. As a part of the First Brigade, this regiment in the advance, it proceeded rapidly about 2 miles and formed in line of battle on the right of the road, a battery of Davis' division, and the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, on our right and left, respectively, to support the right of Davis' division, which was being heavily pressed and giving way. But a few moments intervened for our front to be cleared of our own troops, when the order to advance and charge the enemy was given and promptly complied with, under a heavy fire of musketry, and with a loss of nearly 100 men in killed and wounded, including Lieut.-Col. Waterman, who was severely wounded in the right arm. On the order to retreat being give, the regiment fell back and made a stand first behind a breastwork of rails on the left of the road, and afterward advanced to the right of the road, driving the enemy before us, making a stand which was maintained until relieved by troops of Sheridan's division, when we again retired to the rear of the breastworks and lay down on our arms for the night. On the morning of the 20th, at about 3 o'clock, we moved the front left on a road in the rear about 1 1/4 miles, and at 8 a. m. to the front and relieved a part of Gen. Negley's division, our left resting on Harker's brigade, and our right supported by the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, and occupied a position behind a light breastworks. Skirmishers were now thrown out, and as they met with slight opposition they were quickly followed by the regiment, which charged across an open field and through a small ravine up to a masked battery supported by infantry, both of which opened a fire so deadly that the main portion of the regiment fell back to its original position behind the breastworks. A part of it, however, was rallied, by the colonel commanding, behind a picket fence near the ravine, checking the advance of the enemy until overpowered, when it hastily retreated, leaving the colonel and several of the men dead or wounded upon the field. At this juncture, I had just returned from the line of skirmishers of the First Brigade, which I had located by order of Col. Buell, and found the regiment in disorganized state without their commander. I rallied and formed them behind the rude rail breastworks, and after remaining in that position five or ten minutes, in the meantime, I called for volunteers, to go and recover Col. Bartleson, whereupon Adjutant Rouse, Lieut. Wicks, and 4 men volunteered and went. Soon after I was ordered by Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and [we] moved across an open piece of ground to the top of a hill under heavy fire. I here lost sight of the Fifty-eighth Indiana, but discovered a long line of the enemy swinging around on our right, which I held in check a short time, but was forced by superior numbers to fall back. Here portions of other regiments of the First Brigade became intermingled with my own. Of these I took command and attacked them to a portion of Gen. Negley's division, which was drawn up in line of battle, but eventually fell back with them and a portion of Gen. Reynolds' division to a point near Rossville, where I found Lieut.-Col. Young, of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, to whom I turned over the command of all those of the First Brigade I had succeeded in gathering up. I was then numbering into camp by Col. Young with my regiment, now numbering 98 officers and men. Respectfully submitted. Your most obedient servant, C. M. HAMMOND, Maj., Comdg. Regt. Capt. J. G. ELWOOD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Brigade.

Source: Official Records PAGE 659-50 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Illinois 100th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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