12th Illinois Infantry Regiment

The 12th Illinois Infantry Regiment, also known as the 1st Scotch Regiment, was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army between May 2, 1861, and July 18, 1865, during the American Civil War.

The infantry regiment was organized at Springfield, Illinois , and mustered in on May 2, 1861, for a three-month service. The regiment was transferred to Cairo, Illinois, for garrison duty until August 1861. By the time the regiment was mustered out on August 1, 1861, they had lost four to disease.^[1]

The 12th Illinois Infantry was mustered into Federal service for a three-year enlistment on August 1, 1861, at Cairo, Illinois.

On September 5, 1861, alongside the 9th Illinois, the regiment moved to occupy Paducah, Kentucky, becoming the first Union troops to hold the city.^[2]

In February 1862, the 12th Illinois joined John McArthur's Brigade for the Battle of Fort Donelson. Despite enduring the severe winter and heavy combat on February 15th, it was praised for its "Noble" stand, suffering 82 casualties.^[2]

Following the surrender of the Fort, the regiment moved through Clarksville and Nashville. before embarking for Pittsburg Landing. During the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment was fully engaged for nearly the duration of the two-day battle. When Colonel Augustus Chetlain was injured during the first day, Major Hugunin took command. The regiment suffered 116 casualties during the battle.^[2]

Throughout the summer of 1862, the regiment took part in the Siege of Corinth and the subsequent pursuit of Confederate forces to Booneville.^[2]

On October 3rd to October 4th, 1862, the Regiment played a Role in the Second Battle of Corinth. During the Fighting on October 4, the regiment led a charge to recapture "Powell's Battery" from Confederate forces, capturing Confederate colors in the process. This victory had come at a cost; the regiment suffered 112 casualties.^[2]

1863 was characterized by garrison duty and guarding railroads in Tennessee and Mississippi. In December, Colonel Chetlain was Promoted to Brigadier General. on January 16th, 1864, the majority of the regiment re-enlisted as Veterans, receiving a furlough to return to Illinois before reorganizing at Camp Fry, Ohio.^[2]

The Regiment returned to the front in March 1864. It took part in the Atlanta Campaign, it saw action at the Battle of Atlanta. After that, it was heavily engaged at the Battle of Allatoona, where it lost 57 out of its 161 engaged. in November, they joined the March to the Sea, moving through Georgia and to Savannah, where they guarded prisoners at Fort McAllister.^[2]

In early 1865, the regiment marched through the Carolinas, covering 600 miles from Savannah to Goldsboro, North Carolina. they participated in pursuing General Joseph E. Johnston's army until its Surrender at Raleigh.^[2]

After the end of the war, the Regiment marched to Washington DC, to participate in the Grand Review of the Armies on the 24th of May, 1865.^[2]

The regiment was mustered out on July 18, 1865, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Camp Butler, Illinois.

The regiment suffered 5 officers and 143 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 109 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 260 fatalities.^[3]

• Colonel John McArthur – promoted to brigadier general on May 1, 1862.
• Colonel Augustus L. Chetlain – promoted to brigadier general on December 19, 1863.
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry Van Sellars – mustered out with the regiment. ^[4]
• Captain Duncan MacLean, of McLean County – promoted to major on January 22, 1862.

• List of Illinois Civil War units
• Illinois in the American Civil War
• 65th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, "The Second Scotch Regiment"

• Dyer, Frederick H. (1959). A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. New York and London. Thomas Yoseloff, Publisher. LCCN 59-12963.

• The Civil War Archive