ILLINOIS 14TH CAVALRY (Three Years)

Fourteenth Cavalry.-Cols., Horace Capron, Francis M. Davidson; Lieut.-Cols., Horace Capron, David P. Jenkins, David Quigg; Majs., David P. Jenkins, Francis M Davidson, David Quigg, Haviland Tompkins, James B. Dent, Thomas J. Jenkins, Henry Connelly. This regiment was recruited and organized in the fall and winter of 1862, with headquarters at Peoria. On Jan. 7, 1863, the 1st and 2nd battalions were mustered and the 3rd battalion on Feb. 6. In February and March, the regiment received its horses and equipments and was placed under thorough discipline and well drilled in tactics. On March 28, it started for the front and on April 17, arrived at Glasgow, Ky., where it was brigaded. In June, it pursued and attacked Col. Hamilton's Confederate force near Turkey Neck bend, driving the enemy into the mountains in Tennessee. It pursued the Confederate raider, John Morgan, from July 4, until he was captured, the expedition covering 2,100 miles, taking part in many of the skirmishes and battles on this raid, being especially conspicuous at the battle of Buffington island and in the six days' pursuit thereafter, resulting in the capture of Morgan himself. At Cumberland gap it was active in closing in on the enemy, capturing the Confederate force and an immense amount of supplies. On Sept. 18, it pursued Col. Carter's Confederate command as far east as Bristol killing and capturing many and securing the Confederate train with a large quantity of arms, ammunition and supplies. The next day it drove the enemy through Bristol into Virginia, again engaged him on Sept. 20-22, and drove him at every point. On Oct. 11, another severe engagement was fought by the regiment and on the 14th it again drove the enemy from his cover. On Feb. 2, 1864, after following an old Indian trail through the mountains, it surprised "Thomas' Legion" of whites and Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, killing and capturing the greater part. During the Atlanta campaign the regiment went on the disastrous Macon raid and was nearly annihilated, but the scattered fragments escaped and joined the line of battle in front of Atlanta, having the honor to enter the city with the advance forces. On Nov. 8, it arrived at Waynesboro, Tenn., where it disputed Hood's advance, the contest continuing for 3 days. While guarding Duck river fords on the 29th, it was cut off and surrounded, but in a gallant charge cut its way out. The battle of Nashville, including the pursuit, capture and destruction of Hood's great army, practically closed the fighting and other aggressive work of the regiment. With its brigade it was afterward stationed at Pulaski, Tenn., performing the ordinary camp and guard duty, where headquarters continued until it went to Nashville to be mustered out on July 31, 1865.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 3

Illinois 14th Volunteer Cavalry (Union)

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