35th Illinois Infantry Regiment
| 35th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry | |
|---|---|
Illinois state flag | |
| Active | July 3, 1861, to September 27, 1864 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Engagements | Battle of Pea Ridge Battle of Perryville Battle of Stones River Battle of Chickamauga Battle of Missionary Ridge Battle of Resaca Battle of Pickett's Mill Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Siege of Atlanta Battle of Peachtree Creek |
The 35th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Service
The 35th Illinois Infantry was organized at Decatur, Illinois , and mustered into Federal service on July 3, 1861, for three years' service. Its organizer and first colonel was Gustavus A. Smith, after whom it was originally called G.A. Smith's Independent Regiment.
It initially served in Missouri, joining General Sigel's advance on Springfield in October. By early 1862, the regiment had marched over 500 miles through Missouri and Arkansas.[1]
Battle of Pea Ridge and the Siege of Corinth
On March 7th, 1862, as part of Dodge's Brigade, the 35th Illinois fought in the Battle of Pea Ridge at Elkhorn Tavern. The Regiment held its position against heavy odds until an overwhelming Confederate assault forced it to withdraw. Colonel Gustavus A. Smith was severely wounded in the action and never rejoined his regiment. Following the battle, the regiment marched through Arkansas and Missouri before being transported to Tennessee to participate in the Siege of Corinth.[1]
Battle of Stones River
After months of guarding railroads and bridges, the regiment joined the Army of the Ohio for the pursuit of General Bragg through Kentucky. On December 30-31, 1862, the 35th Illinois fought in the Battle of Stones River, suffering 84 of their 439 engaged.[1]
Battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge
In August 1863, the regiment's brigade was the first to cross the Tennessee River onto the South side. Then they took part in the Battle of Chickamauga, where they suffered heavy losses, losing 152 out of their 299 engaged.[1]
During the Battle of Missionary Ridge, the regiment was in the frontline of the assault. After the regiment's entire color guard had been killed or wounded, Colonel William P. Chandler personally carried the regimental flag into the enemy works.[1]
Atlanta Campaign
In 1864, the regiment participated in the Atlanta Campaign, seeing action at Rocky Faced Ridge, Resaca , and Dallas. On June 22nd, the regiment would take part in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, with one of their Majors, Major McIlwain, who was killed.[1]
The Regiment Three-Year Enlistment period had expired during the Siege of Atlanta. In late August, they fought their way back to Chattanooga through Confederate cavalry raids, rebuilding railroad tracks as they went.[1]
The regiment was mustered out on September 27, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois.
Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 7 officers and 91 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds, and 5 officers and 164 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 267 fatalities.[2]
Commanders
- Colonel Gustavus A. Smith - promoted to brigadier general on September 19, 1862.
- Colonel William P. Chandler - Mustered out with the regiment.[3]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g "35th Illinois Infantry". illinoisgenweb.org. Retrieved 2026-03-17.
- ^ http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unilinf3.htm#35th The Civil War Archive website after Dyer, Frederick Henry. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. 3 vols. New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1959.
- ^ http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/f&s/035-fs.htm Illinois in the Civil War website after Illinois Adjutant General's muster rolls
References