ILLINOIS EIGHTY-FIFTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Eighty-fifth Infantry. -Cols., Robert S. Moore, Caleb J. Dilworth ; Lieut.-Cols., Caleb J. Dilworth, James P. Walker, James R. Griffith; Majs., Samuel P. Cummings, Robert G. Rider. This regiment was organized at Peoria about Sept. 1, 1862, at a time when the government was in need of troops, as the Federal forces had been beaten back at Bull Run a short time before and Bragg was threatening Louisville, Ky., Gen. Nelson being driven back to that point. The regiment was one that was ordered to Louisville immediately after its organization, hence the members left their work, families and friends, and were hurried immediately to the forefront of the battle. Before they knew what dress parade meant, they opened the battle of Perryville by making a bayonet charge early on the morning of that bloody day. When the army advanced on Bragg at Murfreesboro the regiment was stationed at Nashville and remained there doing train, police and post duty, but was called on to guard a train to the army during the battle of Stone's river, which it succeeded in doing in time to take a hand in the fight there for one day. During the remainder of the time that it was at Nashville but little occurred worthy of historical notice, but from the time it was relieved at that city it was always found in the active part of the Army of the Cumberland until the close of the war, being one of the last regiments to leave the field at Chickamauga; in the lead in crossing the Tennessee in pontoons when the stars and bars were lowered from Missionary ridge from there, with 100 rounds of cartridges in haversacks instead of bread, it was with the command that hastened to the relief of besieged troops at Knoxville then returned to its camp at North Chickamauga, to remain until New Year's, 1864, when it moved to McAfee's cross-roads, near the battlefield of Chickamauga. During the winter of 1863 and 1864 it was stationed at or on that battle-field and was in the detail that made the reconnaissance against Rocky Face ridge, where it met with considerable loss in killed and wounded. It took an active part in the battles of Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Kennesaw mountain, Peachtree creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. The members of the regiment are deserving of special mention for their conduct at Rome, where they swam the Etowah river, floating their accouterments over on rafts of rails, formed a skirmish line, drove the enemy from the city and raised the Stars and Stripes over the courthouse before all the enemy had crossed the other river and burned the bridge. At Kennesaw mountain and Peachtree creek the regiment lost half of its available force. The 2nd division of the 14th army corps was detailed to drive Forrest from the line of communication back in Tennessee, and marched after him until it crossed the river at Florence where there was a skirmish in which the regiment was again in front and met with slight loss. It accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea and up through the Carolinas, was present at the battle of Bentonville, the capture of Goldsboro and Raleigh, and was doing picket duty when Sherman met the Confederate delegates to arrange the conditions of surrender of Johnston's army. It then marched to Washington, took part in the grand review at that place, rested a few days and was mustered out on June 5, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Col. Caleb J. Dilworth, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry. HDQRS. EIGHTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, North Chickamauga, October 11, 1863. SIR: In reporting to you that part which the Eighty-fifth Regt. Illinois Volunteers took in the bloody conflict of September 19 and 20, I have the honor to report that the regiment under my command, consisting of Company D, Capt. Houghton; Company B, Capt. Griffith; Company C, Capt. Blanchard; Company A, Lieut. Havens; Company E, Lieut. Trent; Company F, Capt. Kennedy; Company G, Capt. Latourrette; Company H, Capt. McNeill; Company I, Capt. Halsted, and Company K, by Capt. Yates, marched out of camp at Rossville, Ga., about 3 p. m., September 18, 1863, and took its place in rear of the Eighty-sixth Regt. Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Magee, and in advance of the One hundred and twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. Harmon, and in this order we marched out from Rossville, and proceeded along the old La Fayette road about--miles until we reached the [Ringgold] road, and then proceeded along this road until we arrived at about -miles from [Reed's] Bridge, where we halted for the night, and took position fronting to the north, and a prolongation of Battery I, Second Illinois Artillery, commanded by Capt. Barnett, with my right resting on his left piece and my left thrown a little forward. I immediately sent Company D, commanded by Capt. Houghton, and Company K, Capt. Yates, forward as skirmishers, with instructions to cover my front and flanks as well as that of the battery. In this condition we rested on our arms, without fire, for the night. Near morning we were aroused by the sound of musketry, but it not being followed up by any further attack, we rested quietly until daylight. During the night I could distinctly hear the rattle of wagons or artillery. At daybreak I received orders from Col. McCook [who is always on the alert to get the advantage of the enemy] to change my position farther to the east and 150 yards in the rear of Eighty-sixth Illinois, with my left resting on the road. In this position I stacked arms, made fires, and sent out water details, and commenced to get breakfast. While the men were drinking their coffee I saw the Eighty-sixth fall in and file to the left. Slight firing had commenced with the skirmishers, and as the enemy were approaching my rear and left flank, I ordered the men to fall in and take arms. At this instant Capt. Anderson, acting assistant adjutant-general to Col. McCook, came riding down, and gave me orders to move along parallel to the road and take position in rear of the Eighty-sixth, which regiment was then facing to the road, with their left toward me. I immediately filed to the left and commenced moving to the new position assigned me, and had marched about half the length of the battalion, when I saw the Eighty-sixth face to the right and move off by the flank over a rise in the ground. I continued to march in the same direction, and sent my adjutant, C. N. Andrus, forward to learn and report the location of the Eighty-sixth. He soon returned with the intelligence that it was three regiments in advance on the road toward Rossville, and that all the other troops, together with the battery, had left the field. At this time the firing had become severe, and I directed Capt. Griffith, Company B [he being in the advance], to take the rear of the One hundred and twenty-fifth Illinois [which was moving] as a guide, while I rode back to the rear of the regiment to ascertain the situation of affairs at the point. There I found the enemy advancing upon my rear and left flank, also making an attempt upon my right. At the same time they galloped up with two pieces of artillery, drawn by mules, unlimbered within 200 yards of my skirmishers, and opened fire upon us with grape and canister, but, their range being too high, their shot passed harmlessly over our heads. I directed my skirmishers to fall back upon and cover the rear of the regiment, which order was executed in a splendid manner, but not without some loss. Willard Hicks and Robert Neider, Company D, were wounded and taken prisoners. Capt. Houghton's servant was shot by his side. We returned to Rossville, where we arrived about noon, rested about three hours, and encamped on the hill east of Rossville for the night. Early next morning we moved out the Ringgold road about 4 miles, and filed to the left until we came to the farm of Mr.--. There we remained until 1 p. m., then moved out the road past the Dyer farm, and continued our march until we passed the residence of Mr.--, about one-half mile, when the Eighty-sixth Illinois [which was in the advance] was fired upon by a rebel battery from the left of the road. We were then ordered to take position upon the hills which were directly on our right, but in doing so we had to pass through burning woods 200 or 300 yards wide, the flames in many instances almost suffocating us. The woods being cleared, we moved up and took position on the hill, with the Eighty-sixth on our right and the battery on our left, forming a line on the crest of the hill, while the grape, canister, and shells of the enemy fell around us at every step. The blaze and smoke of the grass and dead timber were so great that nothing could be done until half past 3 p. m., when we succeeded in extinguishing the flames so that the battery of the enemy, and a very severe cannonading was kept up until dark, the shells of the enemy bursting around us in all directions. When we first arrived upon the top of the hill, I again sent Company K to the right, under command of Capt. Yates, as skirmishers, who took a position upon the right of the Eighty-sixth, and kept up a brisk fire upon the enemy during the afternoon, and in the evening they were thrown in front. A short time after dark we were ordered back to Rossville, which place we reached in the night, and next day took position on the mountain east of Rossville on the right of the Eighty-sixth, where we remained until after dark, when we were ordered back to Chattanooga, which place we reached during the night. It is with great pleasure that I am able to state, that during the several engagements referred to every officer and man under my command behaved with the utmost coolness and bravery, and in every manner conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction. I am glad to call particular attention to Sergt. William Delong, of Company F, for capturing and bringing into camp 2 prisoners; also John R. Gardner, of Company C, for capturing and bringing into camp prisoners on the night of the 18th September. To Maj. R. G. Rider and the adjutant, C. N. Andrus, I am much indebted for their assistance in the field. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. J. DILWORTH, Col., Comdg. Eighty-fifth Illinois. Capt. E. L. ANDERSON, Actg. Asst. Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 871-50 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Illinois 85th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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