13th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 13th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, nicknamed "Fremont's Grey Hounds," was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Thirteenth was one of the regiments organized under the act known as the Ten Regiment Bill.^[1]

Service

The 13th Illinois Infantry was mustered into state service by Captain John Pope, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois on April 21, 1861 and summoned into Federal service on May 24, 1861 for a three-year term. The Thirteenth was the first Regiment organized from the Second Congressional District of Northern Illinois.^[1][2]

In June, the regiment was ordered to Caseyville, Illinois, 10 miles east of St. Louis, and by July 5th, had arrived at Rolla, Missouri where it remained until the spring of 1862. While stationed at Rolla, the regiment was deployed to guard the supply trains to and from General Lyon’s army, from guerrilla bands in that part of the state. The Thirteenth was also part of General Fremont’s force that went to Springfield, Missouri in the fall of 1861.^[2] In 1862 the regiment joined General Curtis’ army at Pea Ridge, Missouri, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, in his march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi River.^[1]

The regiment was part of General Sherman’s army in his attack on Chickasaw Bayou, and on the first day of battle at the Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed.^[1] The Thirteenth was also present at the capture of Arkansas Post, and was successful in a raid in Greenville, Mississippi.^[2]

The regiment was mustered out on June 18, 1864.

Total strength and casualties

The regiment suffered 6 officers and 61 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 5 officers and 123 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 192 fatalities.^[3]

Infantry field and staff

• Colonel John B. Wyman - killed at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou December 28, 1862.
• Colonel Adam B. Gorgas - Mustered out June 18, 1864
• Lt. Colonel Benjamin F. Parks - Resigned June 25, 1861
• Lt. Colonel Fred Parttridge - Mustered out June 18, 1864
• Major James M. Beardsley - Mustered out June 18, 1864
• Major Douglas R. Bushnell- Killed Ringgold, Georgia November 27, 1863
• Quartermaster William C. Henderson - Resigned July 28, 1863
• Quartermaster John S. McClary - Mustered out June 18, 1864
• Adjutant Henry T. Porter - Mustered out June 18, 1864

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Civil War.

• List of Illinois Civil War Units
• Illinois in the American Civil War

References

External links

• The Civil War Archive
• Military History and Reminiscences of the Thirteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War in the United States, 1861-1865
• Illinois Flags From The Civil War 13th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry