ILLINOIS FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY (Three Years)

Forty-first Infantry Col., Isaac C. Pugh; Lieut.-Cols., Ansel Tupper, John Warner, John H. Nale, Majs., John Warner, John H. Nale, Francis M. Long, Robert H. McFadden. This regiment was organized at Decatur during July and Aug., 1861. Co. A was from Decatur, B from Sullivan and Bethany, C, F and K were from Clinton and De Witt county, E from Blue Mound, G from Taylorville, I from Mount Auburn and Illiopolis, D from Mattoon and H from Shelbyville. It was mustered into the U. S. service Aug. 5 and on the 8th moved to St. Louis, remaining at the arsenal there until the 29th, when it was moved to Bird's Point and assigned to the command of Gen. Prentiss. It was on the extreme right, next to the backwater of the Cumberland river, and was the first regiment engaged in the desperate struggle at Fort Donelson when the Confederate army attempted to cut its way out. This was the first general fight the regiment had participated in, and being overpowered, was driven back with the entire division, but not until it had suffered severely and exhausted its ammunition. The regiment lost some 200 in killed and wounded. It participated in the desperate battle of Shiloh forming the left of what the Confederates called the "Hornets' Nest." In the first day's fight it was under fire fully 6 hours and lost about 200 in killed and wounded. It formed part of the last line of defense, assisted in repulsing the Confederate forces, driving them back beyond the reach of our gunboats, and thus closed its work on the first day at Shiloh. On the second day it made one charge and assisted in driving the enemy from his position on the right, but the loss of the regiment was severe in killed and wounded. It took part in the siege of Corinth, where the army under Gen. Halleck was 25 days in moving 24 miles. In October the regiment made a forced march with the division and intercepted the Confederate army on the Hatchie river, the enemy being on his retreat from what is known as the second battle of Corinth. On April 12, 1863, it met the Confederate Gen. Chalmers on the Coldwater river, double-quicked 3 miles and fought for 3 hours. It landed at Haynes' bluff, May 22, was assigned to the 13th army corps and took part in the 47 days' siege of Vicksburg, during which time it lost some 50 in killed and wounded. In the engagement at Jackson in July the 41st lost in killed, wounded and prisoners near 200. Nearly 200 of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans in March, 1864 and were given a 30 days' furlough. The nonveterans moved up the Red river, participating in the campaign under Gen. A. J. Smith and Gen. Banks, and in all the battles and skirmishes of that disastrous movement. The regiment participated in the battle of Guntown, and while camped at Marietta, July 21, the term of service of the men who did not reenlist expired and they returned home. The remnant was then organized as a battalion. Veteran Battalion (Forty-first Infantry).Maj. Robert H. McFadden. After the battalion was organized it was stationed at the base of Kennesaw mountain when Gen. Hood made his celebrated move around Gen. Sherman's army at Atlanta. The battalion had some lively skirmishing east of Kennesaw with Gen. French's division of Gen. Stewart's corps. It was present on Kennesaw mountain and witnessed the brilliant struggle at Allatoona, when Gen. Sherman sent the famous despatch to Gen. Corse to "hold the fort, I am coming," and when the equally famous despatch of Gen. Corse was received, which was in these words: "I am short a cheek-bone and an ear, but I am able to whip all hell yet." The battalion assisted in the destruction of the railroad at Atlanta and joined the main army on the march to the sea, being in the 17th army corps. At Savannah it encamped near the old French cemetery, doing ward duty at the custom house, where there were 25,000 ales of cotton. On Jan. 4, 1865, the battalion was, by order of Gen. O. O. Howard, consolidated with the 53d Ill. infantry, forming companies H and G. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Shiloh after battle report: Report of Maj. John Warner, Forty-first Illinois Infantry. HDQRS. FORTY-FIRST REGT. ILLINOIS VOLS. Camp, Pittsburg, Tenn., April 9, 1862. I have the honor to submit the following report of the conduct and actions of the Forty-first Regt. Illinois Volunteers at Pittsburg on the 6th and 7th instant: 1st. On the 6th, at about 7.30 o'clock a.m. the regiment was formed into line by Col. J. C. Pugh, commanding, and was marched to the scene of action, a distance of about 1 mile, where it was thrown into line of battle on the left wing, at which point the first volley of musketry was received from the enemy at about 9 o'clock a.m. The enemy showing a disposition to flank us upon our left, Col. Pugh ordered us to fall back a distance of about 100 paces, assuming a new position. 2d. About this time, perhaps 9.30 o'clock a.m., Col. I. C. Pugh took command of the brigade, Col. Williams having been disabled by the concussion of a cannon-ball, and Lieut. Col. Ansel Tupper assumed the command of the regiment. A line of battle was then established by Col. Tupper on a very favorable piece of ground a few paces in the rear of and almost at right angles with the previously-established lines, where the enemy commenced pouring in their deadly fire upon us at about 10 o'clock a.m., which was returned with all the coolness and bravery ever exhibited by any soldiers for the period of about two hours and a half. 3d. At about 11.30 o'clock a.m., and after the firing had continued unceasingly for about one hour and a half, the enemy again began to show himself upon our left flank, sending deadly volleys along our line. Our men, notwithstanding, showed not the slightest disposition to yield, and with almost superhuman efforts continued to return the fire until the last cartridge became exhausted. Lieut.-Col. Tupper having fallen by the effect of a musket-ball, which passed through his temples, and the command having devolved upon myself, I made the condition of our guns and ammunition known to Gen. Hurlbut, commanding division, who ordered the withdrawal of our regiment;in obedience to which I withdrew the regiment, amidst showers of musketry, shot, and shell, in the most perfect order, carrying with us all of our wounded and some of the dead. 4th. After repairing guns and filling cartridge boxes, in obedience to orders I formed a line in rear of our large guns, and from thence moved the regiment to the right, in support of Taylor's battery, where we continued in line, amidst the most terrific showering of canister, shot, and shell, until some time after dark, when the firing ceased, and the regiment went into bivouac until Monday morning the 7th, in command of Capt. Nale, ranking captain present. In consequence of extreme exhaustion, not having taken my nourishment for three days, and having been confined to my bed one-half of the time for ten days previously, I left the regiment at 9 o'clock p.m. and repaired to the boat-landing for repose. 5th. On Monday morning, at 8 o'clock, the regiment was moved to the support of the right flank, engaged the enemy, and drove him back, where it remained in position until 4 o'clock p.m., when, in obedience to orders, we went into quarters. I am happy in being able to bear testimony to the gallant conduct and unflinching firmness of the officers and men of the Forty-first regiment while under fire. When the last cartridge was hurled and while under their most galling flank fire the Forty-first, notwithstanding, stood their ground until they were ordered from the field. The brave Lieut.-Col. Tupper has fallen, and he died as heroically as ever died the brave. During the morning of the 6th he cheerfully exposed himself to danger that he might ascertain the more certainly the true position of the enemy, and, having done this, seemed anxious only to secure the safest and most effective position of the regiment, the command of which devolved upon him at the time by the absence of Col. Pugh, who had command of the brigade. During the engagement he rode along the line several times, cheering his men and infusing his own spirit into the troops, which he succeeded in doing most effectually, the moment he was stricken down by the swift-winged messenger of death up to the time he breathed his last he was in a state of entire unconsciousness. Capt.'s Oglesby and Huffer, who both fell near the same time, died, as brave men, at their posts. In the death of these three officers the regiment has sustained a very great loss.* Very respectfully, I am, your obedient servant, JOHN WARNER, Maj., Cmdg. Forty-first Illinois Volunteers. M. F. KANAN, Actg. Asst., Adjt. Gen., Brig. Fourth Div., Army of the Tenn.,

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Illinois 41st Infantry (Union)

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