ILLINOIS 125TH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Infantry.-Col., Oscar F. Harmon; Lieut.-Col., James W. Langley; Maj., John B. Lee. This regiment was formed of good war material mainly drawn from the rural precincts of Vermillion and Champaign counties with a sprinkling of mechanics, professional and laboring men and clerks from the towns, practically all of whom could read and write, so that the war and its possible requirements were well comprehended by them before enlistment. A brief rendezvous at Danville, the muster-in Sept. 3, 1862, the equipment, the sad farewells, and the command moved to Cincinnati, thence across the Ohio to the heights above Covington on the "neutral" ground of Kentucky, where it relieved a provisional regiment of "squirrel hunters." Excepting a slight taste of war at the battle of Perryville, the regiment was not actually engaged in conflict until at the battle of Chickamauga, where it was under fire all of the afternoon on the second day, and also the following day at Rossville gap. Crossing the Tennessee on Sherman's pontoons, the regiment engaged in the battle of Missionsary ridge. At the battle of Kennesaw mountain its loss was 120 killed and wounded in the short space of 20 minutes, nearly half of whom, including 5 officers, were killed outright, and 4 officers were wounded. On July 18, the regiment crossed the Chattahoochee on pontoon at Pace's ferry, advanced with strong skirmishing to Peachtree creek, where in a spirited charge at dusk it drove the enemy from a commanding height, and from this point on through the siege of Atlanta until the signal victory at Jonesboro, the regiment was practically under fire every hour, at the latter place being the center and guide regiment in the assault. The regiment marched with Sherman to the sea, and up through the Carolinas. In North Carolina its progress was checked at Averasboro and stubbornly resisted at Bentonville. The fighting at the latter place was very severe, a full share of which fell on the regiment, when it not only well sustained its past reputation for courage, but justly added new laurels to its victorious crown. A peaceful "on to Richmond" from the south, then to Washington, the grand review, and the muster out on June 9, 1865, were the closing scenes in the regiment's part of the great military drama. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Col. Oscar F. Harmon, One hundred and twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry. HDQRS. 125TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, In the Field, near Chattanooga, September 24, 1863. SIR: In pursuance of orders, I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20. At 3 p. m., September 18, I was ordered to march from Rossville in the rear of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry by the left flank. A rapid march of two hours brought the brigade of which my regiment is a part within a half mile of Reed's Bridge, across Chickamauga River. It being then dark, the brigade took position upon a low hill gently descending to the north and east. Two lines were formed, of which my command formed the right of the second. The men slept upon their arms without fires, the night being intensely cold. Standling to arms at 3 a. m., at early dawn two new positions were taken without relative changes in the brigade. A spring had enticed several of the men to the front for water; they, being discovered by the enemy, were fired upon, but no one was injured; 1 man losing his gun in the hasty retreat. The enemy advanced rapidly, engaging and driving our skirmishers, the bullets from the enemy's guns passing over our heads. At this moment, 8 o'clock, I noticed Barnett's battery and the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry falling back on the double-quick to my right. Having no orders, I remained until Lieut. Rogers, aide to Col. McCook, informed me the brigade was ordered to retreat, when I fell back by the right flank in the rear of the Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the march being continued until the brigade reached the crest of Missionary Ridge to the left of the Rossville road. A double line was here formed, I being placed upon the left of the second line and in double column. By sunrise the brigade was again marching down the road leading to the front and enemy's right, my regiment in the rear. At 10 a. m., having advanced several miles and the scouts having reported the enemy near, the brigade filed back a half mile, and occupied a hill cleared and owned by Mr. Green. My regiment was posted upon the right of first line, supporting Barnett's battery. Here Gen. Granger joined us and made extended observations, but no enemy appeared. At 12 m. was ordered to march by the right flank with flankers to my left, the brigade not changing in the march its order in line. Coming up to Gen. Steedman's command, an opening was occupied on slightly elevated ground; my command held the left of the first line. No enemy appeared. The brigade remained at this place until about 2, 30 p. m., when it again moved toward Gen. Thomas' left by the right flank, One hundred and twenty-fifth in rear. In approaching the enemy's right their skirmishers appeared and fired upon us, when the brigade moved on double-quick to a strong position on the crest of a high hill, facing the enemy in two lines, I being upon the left and rear. A heavy fire was opened upon us from two batteries, which was vigorously answered by Barnett's battery. The cannonading continued for an hour and a half; but so hot was Barnett's fire, that he silenced the enemy's guns and their infantry dared not advance. Protected by the hill, I lost no men. At 8 p. m. I marched by the left flank in rear of Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Rossville. The next day, September 21, at 12 m., was ordered to move up the western slope of Missionary Ridge to the right of the Rossville road and take position in rear of Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The three left companies-H, I, and K-were refused, to keep clear of the road, making an angle of about 60 with the line. My position was discovered by the enemy, and he opened fire upon me, using case-shot. His fire was directed at the angle referred to chiefly, though he swept the whole line. I moved the regiment to the rear twice to avoid his range, but not soon enough to escape injury. Two men were wounded, 1 mortally, many others narrowly escaping. The fire continued for about two hours. I was ordered to move into the road at 9 o'clock, and from thence marched to Chattanooga. It affords me pleasure to report that during the battle neither man nor officer deserted his post. The men were calm, and under the enemy's fire of Monday self-possessed and determined. Two men in Company G, Corpl. William Flougher and Private John L. Smith, who carried off a wounded man, immediately returned to their places. I am pained to report that Capt. Stephen D. Conover and Privates John F. Leonard and William Chandler, Company B, and Jacob Poulson, Company H, are missing. Under orders from Gen. Granger, Capt. Conover was, on the 17th of September, stationed upon a high point in front of Rossville, to observe and report the movements of the enemy, [with] the privates named as a guard. I entertain serious apprehensions that his position, when captured, so far compromised him in the judgment of a relentless foe that he was cruelly slain, together with his brave comrades. My casualties are: William Means, Company H, mortally wounded, now dead; Richard Clearwater, Company G, wounded, foot amputated; Capt. S. D. Conover, missing; John F. Leonard, Company B, missing; William F. Chandler, Company B, missing; Jacob Poulson, Company H, missing; Corporal Ray, Company H, wounded in the arm. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, O. F. HARMON, Col., Comdg. Capt. E. L. ANDERSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

Source: Official Records CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 878-50 [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Illinois 125th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

Related Records