ILLINOIS 9TH CAVALRY (Three Years)

Ninth Cavalry.-Cols., Albert G. Brackett, Joseph W. Harper; Lieut.-Cols., Solomon A. Paddock, Hiram F. Sickles, Hector J. Humphrey, Henry B. Burgh, Joseph W. Harper, Anthony R. Mock; Majs., Rosell M. Hough, Hiram F. Sickles, Hector J. Humphrey, William J. Wallis, Henry B. Burgh, Ira R. Gifford, Linas D. Bishop, Anthony R. Mock, William McManis, Leander L. Shattuck, Atherton Clark. This regiment was organized at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, in the autumn of 1861, and was fully mustered into the U. S. service by Nov. 30, for a term of three years. On Feb. 16, 1862, it started from Chicago and proceeded by rail to Benton barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., and thence to Pilot Knob. On May 28, five companies had a skirmish with the Confederates at Cache River bridge, Ark., routing them with considerable loss. Three other companies on the same day had a skirmish on the Augusta road, in which 2 Confederate soldiers were captured 1 of whom was severely wounded. In June, a party of Confederates attempted to capture a valuable train near the Waddell farm, 5 miles from Jacksonport, but were utterly defeated and driven off by two companies of Missouri cavalry and four companies of the 9th, with a loss of 28 killed, wounded and missing. The regiment's loss was 13 wounded and missing. At the fight at LaGrange, Ark., two companies of the regiment, with soldiers of other regiments and 2 howitzers, behaved very gallantly against a considerable force of the enemy, who lost over 50 men, while the Federal loss was inconsiderable. During the night of Oct. 11, a part of the regiment captured a Confederate picket of 12 men near Helena. The regiment was engaged with the enemy at Coldwater, Miss., in July, 1863, at Grenada in August, and then moved to LaGrange, Tenn. It made an attack upon the enemy at Salem, Miss., in October and drove him from his position. It met the enemy at Wyatt five days later where the Confederates fell back after fighting all day and retreated during the night. In November, it was again engaged with the enemy at Saulsbury, Tenn. and in December, the division was engaged at Moscow. In Jan., 1864, the regiment was in the 2nd brigade, Grierson's division, 16th corps, Army of the Tennessee, and at Collierville a detachment had a brisk skirmish with a portion of Forrest's command, which had made an attack upon the Memphis & Charleston railroad, several of the enemy being killed and wounded. On March 16, the regiment was mustered as a veteran organization and the following day marched to Memphis, whence the men returned to Illinois on the usual furlough granted to veterans. Returning to the field the regiment formed a portion of the rear-guard on the retreat from Guntown, Miss., losing 5 killed, 23 wounded and 12 captured out of 160 men. In a severe cavalry fight at Old Town creek in July, the regiment acquitted itself with credit and afterwards returned to Memphis. In August, it marched by the way of Holly Springs to Abbeville, Miss., where it had a skirmish with the enemy, and on the 11th had another brush at Oxford. A severe fight took place at Hurricane creek, the regiment taking an honorable share, losing 4 killed and several wounded. The division to which the regiment was attached did some hard fighting at Shoal creek, Ala., in November. For several days after this the regiment skirmished with the enemy's advance and was hotly engaged at Campbellville, Tenn. It took part in the fierce battle at Franklin and did what was in its power toward crippling the Confederate army under Gen. Hood. At the great battle of Nashville it belonged to the 2nd brigade, 5th division, cavalry corps, and sustained its well earned reputation for valor. It participated in a well directed charge upon a redoubt, which was carried, and at the same time captured 4 pieces of artillery and 15O prisoners, sharing in the final rout of the enemy. Soon the army of Gen. Hood was in full retreat and the regiment participated in the chase which resulted in its destruction, skirmishing with portions of it at Brentwood, on the Franklin pike, near Franklin at Rutherford creek and Ross' farm. The regiment was mustered out at Selma, Ala., Oct. 31, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, Ill., where the men received final payment and discharge.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 3

Illinois 9th Volunteer Cavalry (Union)

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