ILLINOIS FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (THREE YEARS)

Forty-seventh Infantry. Cols., John Bryner, William A. Thrush, John N. Cromwell, John D. McClure; Lieut.-Cols., Daniel Miles, William A. Thrush, Samuel R. Baker; Majs., William A. Thrush, John N. Cromwell, Rush W. Chambers, John D. McClure, John B. Miles. This regiment was organized and mustered into the U. S. service at Peoria, Ill., Aug. 16, 1861. On Sept. 23 it moved by rail from Peoria to St. Louis, Mo., going into quarters at Benton barracks near the city, where it was clothed and armed complete. On May 9, 1862, it had its baptism of fire, at Farmington, Miss., and on May 28 it participated in an engagement near Corinth. It participated in the battle of Iuka in September, where the army under Gen. Rosecrans defeated the enemy's forces under Gen. Sterling Price and it also took part in the battle of Corinth, Oct. 3 and 4. The regiment lost in the latter engagement 30 killed and over 100 wounded. On May 2, 1863, it marched with the army down the west side of the Mississippi river, crossing it at Grand Gulf, and with the 15th army corps marched to Jackson, Miss., where it participated in the engagement which resulted in the capture of that city. The regiment participated in the first charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg, losing 12 men killed and quite a number wounded, and on June 4 it participated with the brigade in the defeat of a Confederate force at Mechanicsville, Miss., 30 miles from Vicksburg, near the Yazoo river. It was present at the capture of Fort De Russy, La., in March, 1864, and participated in the battle of Pleasant Hill in April. On June 5 it moved up the river to Lake Chicot, disembarked, moved inland and came in contact with a force of the enemy under Gen. Marmaduke, which was defeated and completely routed. The regiment lost in this engagement 11 men killed and quite a number wounded. The term of service expiring, the regiment was mustered out and finally discharged on Oct. 11, 1804. Forty-seventh (Consolidated) Infantry. Col., David W. Magee; Lieut.-Col., Edward Bonham; Majs., Edward Bonham, Royal Olmsted. The veterans and recruits of the original organization of the 47th, numbering 196 men, left Memphis on Sept. 2, 1864 with Gen. Mower's expedition up the White river to Brownsville, Ark., and from there marched north into Missouri after Gen. Price's army, which was raiding in that state. From St. Louis the veteran detachment was ordered to Chicago, Ill., to assist in quelling any riot that might occur on the day of election. Their services not being required, they were ordered to report to the superintendent of the recruiting service at Springfield, and were stationed at Camp Butler, where on Nov. 28 it received 200 drafted men and a battalion of four full companies was organized. On Dec. 3 the command was ordered to the field reporting by way of St. Louis to Gen. Rosecrans. In Jan., 1865, it moved to Nashville, thence down the Cumberland and up the Tennessee river to Eastport, Miss., where it rejoined its old brigade 2nd brigade, 1st division, 16th army corps accompanying it to New Orleans, thence to Mobile bay, taking part in the reduction of Spanish Fort. While lying in front of Spanish Fort, six additional companies arrived from Springfield, making the organization once more complete. The regiment was mustered out, Jan. 21, 1866, at Selma, Ala., and was ordered to Springfield, Ill., where it received final pay and discharge.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 3

Illinois 47th Infantry (Union)

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