Regiment
History
The Sixty-third Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Ill., in the month of December, 1861, by Colonel Francis Moro, and mustered into United States' service April 10, 1862.
Ordered to Cairo, April 27; to Henderson, Ky., July 12. Returned to Cairo, 22d. August 4, moved to Jackson, Tenn., and assigned to Fourth Brigade, First Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Colonel John D. Stevenson, Seventh Missouri Infantry, commanding Brigade, and Brigadier General John A. Logan commanding Division.
On the 3d of September, 1862, Colonel Franklin L. Rhodes, of the Eighth Infantry, was at his own request, relieved of the command of the Fourth Brigade, and Colonel Moro was assigned to the command.
September 29, Colonel Moro resigned, and Lieutenant Colonel McCown took command. November 10, moved to Lagrange. 28th moved in the advance against Pemberton, compelling his retreat to Grenada, Miss., and returned to Lagrange January 10, 1863.
January 15, assigned to Provisional Division of Brigadier General James C. Veatch.
May 10, 1863, ordered to Vicksburg, Miss. and went on picket at Young's Point till May 21, when it crossed the river at Warrenton, and completed the investment of the city on the extreme left.
May 24, ordered to report to General Logan, on right centre, and on same night was relieved by the Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, who lost five companies captured that night 25th, reported to General Logan.
June 7, was assigned to Mower's Brigade, Seventeenth Army Corps, and moved to Milliken's Bend, to protect that place. June 16, participated in the fight and destruction of Richmond, La., and returned to Young's Point, where it remained until after the surrender, and went on post duty at Vicksburg, July 5, 1863.
July 16, 1863, assigned to First Brigade, Seventh Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Colonel Jesse J. Alexander, Fifty-ninth Indiana, commanding Brigade, and Brigadier General John E. Smith commanding Division.
September 12, moved to Helena, Ark. 28th moved to Memphis. October 6, moved toward Chattanooga. October 7, Division assigned as Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. November 16, arrived at Bridgeport, Ala. Arrived at Chattanooga, November 20.
Participated in the battle of Mission Ridge, 23d and 24th November, 1863.
After pursuing the enemy to Ringgold, Ga., returned to Bridgeport, Ala., December 3. December 21, ordered to Huntsville, where it arrived 26th, and went into winter quarters.
January 1, 1864, 272 men re-enlisted as veterans.
April 3, ordered to Illinois on veteran furlough. Arrived at Centralia, 10th. Left Centralia, the furloughs having expired, May 13th, and reported at Huntsville, 21st.
May 23, ordered to Triana on Tennessee River, and June 15, rejoined the command, at Huntsville. 22d, moved to Kingston, via Chattanooga. The Regiment was assigned to railroad guard duty till November 11, when the command was ordered to join General Sherman.
November 15, 1864, left Atlanta, and December 10, arrived at the defenses of Savannah, participating in the attack on the Ogeechee canal. 12th, moved to Miller's Station, on the Gulf railroad, and kept up strong picket line on the approaches until December 21, when the city was surrendered.
The Sixty-third was assigned to guard duty at Forts Wimberly, Beanlieu, Bonaventure and Rose Dew.
| Home |
All materials contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of individuals engaged in researching their personal genealogy. Any commercial use or any use for which money is asked or paid for any reason is strictly prohibited.