ILLINOIS 123RD INFANTRY

One Hundred and Twenty-third Infantry.-Col., James Monroe; Lieut.-Col., Jonathan Biggs; Maj., James A. Connolly. This regiment was organized at Mattoon, Cos. A, C, D, H, I and K being from Coles county, B from Cumberland, E from Clark, F and G from Clark and Crawford. It was mustered into service at Camp Terry, Mattoon, Sept. 6, 1862. On Sept. 19, the regiment was loaded into freight cars at Mattoon and transported to Louisville, Ky., where it was at once put to work to fortify the city against Bragg, who was then advancing on it. On Oct. 8, just 19 days after leaving Mattoon, the regiment was engaged in the battle of Perryville, where it lost 36 killed and 180 wounded. Early in March, 1863, it was attacked beyond Stone's river, while halted on Breed's hill with arms stacked and ranks broken by a large cavalry force, but forming under fire and repelling the attack, it waded Stone's river, carrying off its wounded, and withdrew to Murfreesboro. On March 20, the brigade, including the regiment, was attacked and surrounded by Morgan's cavalry, about 5,000 strong, with 6 pieces of artillery, near Milton, Tenn., about 12 miles out from Murfreesboro, but the enemy was driven from the field, leaving his dead and wounded and 2 pieces of artillery. In the affair at Hoover's gap in June, the regiment lost several in killed and wounded. In September, it forded the river above Chattanooga and led the advance of Crittenden's corps to Ringgold and Tunnel Hill, Ga., constantly skirmishing during the three days' advance. It was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga taking its place in line with the infantry of the 14th corps, to which it belonged. In October, it engaged in the battle at Farmington, Tenn., in which Wheeler was severely punished and driven from the state. It participated throughout the entire Atlanta campaign and then returned northward in pursuit of Hood, continuing so engaged until Nov. 1, when it moved to Louisville, Ky. In the spring of 1865, the regiment participated in the "Wilson Raid" into Alabama and Georgia, and this marked the close of its career as an organization. It was mustered out at Edgefield, Tenn., June 27, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Col. James Monroe, One Hundred and twenty-third Illinois (Mounted) Infantry. HDQRS. 123d ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Friar's Island, September 26, 1863. COL.: In compliance with your Special Orders, No.--, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command from the 10th to the 21st day of September, 1863: September 10, crossed Tennessee River at Friar's Island and captured a large rebel mail at Tyner's Station, and camped in the valley beyond Mission Ridge, 3 miles east of Graysville and 1 mile from the Georgia line. September 11 moved at 8 a. m. The Ninety-second Illinois, having been sent forward some half hour in advance, found the enemy near Ringgold, and, after a sharp skirmish, in which my command took little part, drove them through the town, passed through Ringgold, now occupied by Van Cleve's division. Found the enemy (Forrest's command) in strong position on our front. The brigade was dismounted and formed in line, this regiment on the left, and compelled the enemy to retire after a sharp skirmish, in which the Seventeenth Indiana alone participated. The brigade, by direction of Col. Wilder, was then formed in column of regiments, moving by the flank, with strong advance guard, and in this order moved forward to Tunnel Hill, driving the enemy before us, and skirmishing the entire distance, bivouacked for the night. September 12, withdrew to Ringgold, this regiment covering the rear and closely followed by the enemy. Took the road to La Fayette; found the enemy near Wheeler's occupying a very strong position covering the road and a gap in the mountains; dislodged him after a sharp skirmish, in which the Seventeenth and Seventy-second Indiana lost severely. This regiment was now moved to the front, and the column moved forward on the La Fayette road. Found the enemy again in position, drove in his advance, but discovering a considerable force of infantry, and night having come on, Col. Wilder, leaving the road, moved the command across the country to Gordon's Mills, this regiment covering the rear, and arriving late in the night. September 13 moved to the left of Gen. Crittenden's command, and skirmished with the enemy during the day. In the evening returned across the Chickamauga at Gordon's Mills, and camped 1 1/2 miles down the stream. September 14 rejoined our division at Pond Spring. September 17 moved to the extreme left, passing down the Chickamauga and taking position at Alexander's Bridge. September 18 the Seventy-second Indiana and this regiment, under command of yourself, were ordered to report to Col. Minty, who with his cavalry brigade was guarding the fords of the stream, some 2 miles on our left, and who was being hard pressed by the enemy; moved rapidly, and upon reporting there were ordered to move some 2 miles farther down the stream to guard the fords, and finally this regiment, with one piece of artillery, was ordered still farther to the left, and one company sent down to Red House Ford, which, upon arriving at that point, was ambuscaded by the enemy, who had already crossed the stream, and after a sharp skirmish driven back with loss. In a few moments I received orders to withdraw and report to Col. Minty, which I did under a brisk fire. The entire command then fell back to a point on the road some 1 1/2 miles from Gordon's Mills, where we found Col. Wilder, who had been driven back from Alexander's Bridge, and formed in line to resist the farther advance of the enemy, who charged our right furiously, but was repulsed. Lay in line of battle all night. September 19 large bodies of infantry were moved to our left during the night, and a general engagement was opened by sending Grose's brigade, of Palmer's division, on a reconnaissance down the road. We held our position during the day. Late in the afternoon the enemy appeared on our front in an open field and charged our line. They were met by the Seventy-second and Seventeenth Indiana, Lilly's battery, and the left of this regiment, and driven back with severe loss. Later in the evening the brigade was thrown forward to meet a flank movement on our right, and after driving back the enemy returned to our old position, where we passed the night. September 20, the right of our line of battle having been withdrawn during the night, at 8 a. m. we moved to the right and rear and took position on the right of Sheridan's division on the crest of a ridge with open fields in front. The battle opened at 10 a. m. The enemy, feeling along our lines, arrived in front of Gen. Sheridan, who moved his division forward down the slope, and was soon fiercely engaged. The enemy flanking him, we were ordered to charge, and headed by Col. Wilder our men went in with a shout, driving and breaking the enemy's lines at once, this regiment taking 30 prisoners. Whilst pressing vigorously forward we found that the enemy had broken through Sheridan's line, and an entire brigade of rebels were passing to our left and rear. We were at once withdrawn, and after waiting two hours to bring up stragglers and artillery left on the field by Sheridan's division, were by an order of Gen. McCook moved to the rear and into Chattanooga Valley, 7 miles south of Chattanooga, this regiment covering the rear and holding the gap by a heavy picket force. September 21 crossed the Tennessee River at Chattanooga and moved to this point. I cannot close this report without alluding to the gallant conduct of the officers and men of my command. All did their duty. My loss in the different engagements is 24 killed, wounded, and missing. The missing are, I fear, killed or wounded without exception, as there was no straggling from any part of the command. I am, colonel, yours, truly, JAMES MONROE, Col., Comdg. Col. ABRAM O. MILLER, Comdg. First Brigade.

Source: Official Records PAGE 459-50 [CHAP. XIII. KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Illinois 123rd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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