ILLINOIS NINETY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Ninety-seventh Infantry. Cols., Friend S. Rutherford, Lewis D. Martin; Lieut.-Cols., Lewis D. Martin, Victor Vifquain; Majs., Stephen W. Horton, Victor Vifquain, James G. Buchanan. This regiment was organized at Camp Butler in Aug. and Sept.,1862. During its stay there the men as they came in were put to an almost constant drill, and the regiment was mustered in on Sept. 16. About Oct. 1 it was ordered to the field and proceeded to Covington, Ky. where it was incorporated in the army that marched from that place southward to the relief of a Federal column at Cumberland gap. It became a part of the forces operating against Vicksburg and bore its full share of the spirited engagement at Port Gibson. At the fierce battle of Champion's hill the regiment had the not very pleasant duty of being the target for the Confederate artillery for at least 2 hours, at a distance of not over 800 yards. The next morning with the rest of the army it moved on to the Black river and took part in the fight at that place. It took part in the early charges at Vicksburg, never failing to go as far as any other organization, and as a rule much farther. In short, from May 19 to July 4, the 97th accomplished its full share of the great work and for 45 consecutive days remained by day and by night exposed to the most destructive fire. It then took part in the contest at Jackson and distinguished itself sufficiently to be praised by Maj.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding the expeditionary army. The remainder of its term of service was spent in Louisiana, doing guard duty, etc. and it took a prominent part in the siege of Fort Blakely, where it led the charge which resulted in the capture of the fort, but in doing so suffered a loss of 80 killed and wounded. From Mobile the regiment was sent to Galveston, Tex., where on July 29, 1865, it was mustered out and proceeded homeward by the way of New Orleans and the Mississippi river to East St. Louis, which place was reached on the morning of Aug. 19.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 3

Illinois 97th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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