SHORT HISTORY OF THE 36TH ILLINOIS
The 36th Infantry Illinois Volunteers Regiment was organized at Camp Hammond near Aurora, IL by Colonel N. Greusel. The regiment was mustered into the federal service by Colonel Brackett, U.S. Mustering Officer, on September 23, 1861, for a term of three years or the duration of the war. The regiment numbered 965 officers and enlisted men and had two companies of cavalry with 186 officers and men. On September 24, the regiment moved to St. Louis, MO where it was armed. Companies "A" and "B" received Model 1841 rifles and Enfield rifle muskets. The other companies received remodeled Springfield smoothbore muskets. On September 28, the regiment left St. Louis by rail for Rolla, MO. The cavalry companies stayed at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. The regiment went into camp at Rolla on September 29 and remained there until January 14, 1862. The time was taken up with drill, camp and guard duty with an occasional scouting including an expedition against Freeman's forces (November 1-9, 1861). In January 1862, the regiment with the 35th Illinois, the 44th Illinois and the 25th Missouri became the 2nd Brigade commanded by Colonel Osterhaus which was part of the Army Of The Southwest that was attached to the Department of Missouri.
The regiment left Rolla January 14, 1862 for Springfield, MO. They passed through Springfield on February 14. The regiment joined in the pursuit of General Price into Arkansas. It halted on February 22 remaining for a few days near Bentonville, AR. Companies "B" and "K" participated in the fight at that place on March 6. Then the regiment was engaged in the Battle Of Leetown on March 7 and the Battle Of Pea Ridge on March 8. Afterwards the regiment went into camp at Keltsville, MO until April 5. In March 1862, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army Of Southwest Missouri.
The regiment broke camp on April 5 and started for Batesville, AR reaching that point on May 3. Here the regiment was transferred to the command of General Asboth, who started with his command for Cape Girardeau, MO on May 11 arriving on May 22. On May 23, the regiment embarked on a boat for Hamburg Landing, TN and marched from there to Corinth, MS arriving on May 29. With the evacuation of Corinth on May 31, the regiment marched to Booneville arriving on June 6 and from there to Rienzi. In June 1862, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Army Of The Mississippi. On September 6, the regiment was ordered to Cincinnati and they went into camp in Covington, KY. From there they were ordered to Louisville arriving on September 19 and were assigned to the 37th Brigade, 11th Division (General Sheridan's Division), 3rd Corps, Army Of The Ohio.
On October 1, 1862, the regiment started on the Kentucky Campaign marching via Bardstown and Springfield to Perryville. There they engaged in the Battle Of Perryville on October 8. Then they marched in the pursuit of General Bragg via Danville and Lancaster to Crab Orchard. Afterwards they returned via Lancaster, Danville, Lebanon, Newmarket, Cave City and Bowling Green to Nashville. There they encamped on November 8 at Seven Mile Creek and Mill Creek. In November, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Corps, Army Of The Cumberland. During this period, the regiment performed reconnaissance toward Clarksville on November 15-20 and to Mill Creek on November 27.
On December 26, 1862, the regiment broke camp and started on the Murfreesboro Campaign. The regiment took part in the Battle Of Stones River on December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863. After the battle, they went into camp near the bank of the Stones River on the Shelbyville Pike where they remained until June 24, 1863. In January 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps, Army Of The Cumberland. On March 4-14, the regiment made a small expedition toward Columbia.
On June 24, 1863, the regiment started on Tullahoma Campaign participating in skirmishes driving Bragg's army out of Middle Tennessee. They reached Cowan on July 3 where they went into camp and remained until July 30. When they broke camp, they marched to Bridgeport, AL where they went into camp. There they assisted in the bridging of the Tennessee River preparatory to crossing and entering into the Chattanooga Campaign. They crossed the river on September 2. Being in McCook's corps, they marched to Broomtown Valley crossing Lookout Mountain through Winston's Gap. Here they took part in the Battle Of Chickamauga on September 19-20. The regiment retired via Rossville with the rest of the army into Chattanooga where they shared the privations of the siege from September 24 to November 23. In October 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Corps, Army Of The Cumberland. Then the regiment took part in the Battle of Orchard Knob on November 23-24 and the Battle Of Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863 where it’s colors being among the first planted on the ridge. Between November 26-27, the regiment joined the pursuit of the retreating enemy to Graysville. On November 28, they started for Knoxville, TN under General Sheridan to relieve General Burnside. They reached that point on December 6. Moving out on December 12, they marched to different points east of Knoxville until they bivouacked in midwinter at Blain's Cross Roads on December 17.
While in East Tennessee, the regiment re-enlisted on January 1, 1864. On January 6, the regiment started for Chattanooga to arrange the details of muster for new term of service preparatory to veteran furlough. After returning from furlough, the regiment left Nashville, TN on March 26 for Chattanooga marching nearly the entire route.
On May 3, 1864, the regiment started on the Atlanta campaign and was under fire almost daily until September 8, 1864. First there was a demonstration at Rocky Faced Ridge on May 8 and at Buzzard's Roost Gap on May 8-9 followed by a demonstration at Dalton on May 9-13. These actions were lead to the Battle of Resaca on May 14-15 and Adairsville on May 17. There was another demonstration near Kingston on May 18-19 and Cassville on May 19. This action was followed by an advance on Dallas on May 22-25. There were operations on Pumpkin Vine Creek and more skirmishing about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills during May 25-June 5. There were more operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain during June 10-July 2 followed by Pine Hill during June 11-14 and Lost Mountain during June 15-17. Then the regiment participated in the assault on Kenesaw Mountain on June 27. The regiment moved to Ruff's Station and reached Smyrna Camp Ground on July 4 and then crossed the Chattahoochie River on July 17. Then it moved to Buckhead and Nancy's Creek on July 18 and Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. The regiment participated in the Siege of Atlanta during July 22-August 25. The regiment joined in the flank movement on Jonesboro during August 25-30 and engaged in the Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Then the regiment moved to Lovejoy Station on September 2-6 and finally marched into Atlanta on September 8.
On September 25, 1864, the regiment was ordered back to Chattanooga. On October 2, they joined in the pursuit of General Hood into Alabama until October 26. The regiment was at Columbia and the Duck River on November 24-27. With the retreat to Nashville, it engaged in the Battle of Spring Hill on November 29. The regiment was in the rear guard and under fire almost continuously from Spring Hill to Franklin. At the Battle of Franklin on November 30, the regiment was engaged in the hottest spot of the battle and General Thomas personally thanking the regiment for its bravery and gallantry in that fight. The 1st Brigade, to which it belonged, commanded by Colonel Opdyke, charged the rebel break through at Carter House and drove them back. At different periods in the action, the regiment captured 33 stands of colors. On the night of November 30 retiring from the field, the regiment was the last to cross the bridge over the Harpeth River for Nashville which they reached on the afternoon of December 1. The regiment was placed in position on the Hillsboro and Granny White Pikes. They engaged in the Battle Of Nashville on December 15 and 16. The regiment captured a battery and over 100 prisoners on December 15. On December 17, the regiment joined the pursuit of General Hood. They passed through Brentwood to Franklin, thence to Columbia and Pulaski, reaching Lexington on December 28. Leaving there on December 31, they passed through Athens on January 5, 1865 reaching Huntsville, AL on January 6 where they built barracks and went into winter quarters.
Leaving Huntsville on March 28, 1865, the regiment proceeded by rail to Chattanooga and from there to East Tennessee. Marching from Bull's Gap went into camp at Blue Springs on April 4. While in camp at this place, the regiment received on the night of April 10 the news of Lee's surrender and the news of President Lincoln’s assassination on April 15. Orders were then were received to return to Nashville, the regiment marching from Blue Springs to Bulls Gap, where it boarded a train and returned to Nashville via Knoxville and Chattanooga. On June 15, 1865, the regiment moved out of Nashville and proceeded by rail to Johnsonville on the Tennessee River. There it was placed on transports under orders for New Orleans, LA. It reached New Orleans on June 23. At the special request of General Sheridan, the 36th Illinois was detailed for headquarters and other special duties thereby receiving from other troops the nickname, "Sheridan's Pet". The special duties included the quelling of disturbances, guarding paymasters and conveying rebel archives captured in the West to Washington, DC. In August 1865, the regiment was assigned to the Department of Texas. On October 8, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of service and proceeded to Springfield, IL There they received final pay and were discharged on October 27, 1865.
The cavalry companies had a different history. After receiving arms at Benton Barracks, Companies "A" and "B" Cavalry joined the 36th Infantry at Rolla, MO. They made occasional scouts until late in December when they started upon an expedition under General Carr in the direction of Springfield, MO. Early in February, they joined the army of General Curtis and made several expeditions with General Asboth. They moved to Osage Springs and into the Indian Territory with General Siegel. They were with him in fight at the Battle Of Bentonville on March 6, the Battle Of Leetown on March 7 and the Battle Of Pea Ridge on March 8. From there they moved to Batesville, AR. About May 1, they started with General Jeff C. Davis to Cape Girardeau, MO. From there they moved by boat to Hamburg Landing, TN and advanced to Corinth, MS. Company "A" was assigned to General Schuyler Hamilton, and Company "B" to General Gordon Granger as escorts. Subsequently Company "B" was transferred to General Rosecrans and then to General Mitchell, moving into Alabama. The companies never again served in the same department.
Company "A" cavalry was soon transferred to General Rosecrans’ headquarters and remained with him through the Battle Of Iuka on September 19 and the Battle Of Corinth on October 4. Then they were transferred to General C. S. Hamiliton and went with him to Memphis. From there they escorted General Lauman to Vicksburg on May 17, 1863. The company was in action near Greenville and was on expedition to Haines' Bluff. They joined Grant's army on Big Black River. There they moved with Sherman's army to Jackson. On July 25, they embarked for New Orleans. They were in action at Morganzia Bend in General Heron's Division. They went to the Techs Country and were in action against General Dick Taylor and General Kirby Smith. They were on General Banks' expedition to Red River with General Lee. Then they returned to New Orleans and were consolidated as Company "I" of the 15th Illinois cavalry. The company was at Helena, AR on January 25, 1865. Then it moved to Brownsville. Again it was consolidated as Company "M" of the 10th Illinois cavalry and returned to New Orleans. In June 1865, they embarked for Shreveport. In July, they started on a march to San Antonia, TX. There they remained until November 22. They moved via Galveston, New Orleans and Cairo to Springfield, IL where they received final muster out and were discharged on January 6, 1866.
Company "B" cavalry upon joining General Buell's army was transferred from General Mitchell to General Carlin and marched through Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky to Louisville, returning through Kentucky with General Carlin. They were in the Battle Of Perryville on October 8 (first to enter the town) and in action at Lancaster and near Crab Orchard. They marched to Cave City, then to Bowling Green, then to Edgefield via Tyree Springs where they had an engagement against General John Morgan. The following day, they were at Shackle Island. They were in a cavalry action at Hepworth Shoals (special mentioned by General Rosecrans). They were assigned as escort to General Jeff C. Davis. They camped near Nashville on December 26. They led the advance of McCook's corps to Nolensville, (complimented by McCook and Davis personally, and were in the official reports). Crossed Overalls's Creek and was in a cavalry fight with Colonel Stokes. They were in the Battle Of Stones River on December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863. They were with Davis' expedition to Eaglesville, Versailles and Franklin. They had action at Versailles, Rover, Franklin and Walnut Church. In June, 1863, they transferred as escort to General T. L. Crittenden, and marched with him to Stevenson, AL, to Chattanooga, TN, to Ringgold, GA and back to Crawfish Springs. They had engagements at Rossville and Ringgold. They were in the Battle Of Chickamauga on September 19-20. Then they moved back to Chattanooga. General McCook and Crittenden subsequently relieved the company to escorted them to Stevenson. They returned to Chattanooga and were assigned to General Thomas' headquarters. They took seven hundred starving horses and mules to Stevenson and returned to Chattanooga. Afterwards they were assigned to General Hooker as escort and marched to Stevenson, via Whiteside to Wauhtehie and they camped in Lookout Valley. By order War Department, they were transferred as Company "K" of the 15th Illinois cavalry. They were in the Battle Of Lookout Mountain on November 24, the Battle Of Missionary Ridge on November 25 and the Battle Of Ringgold on November 26. They charged across and saved a burning bridge over Pumpkinvine Creek (special mention.). General Hooker being relieved by General Howard, the company went through with him to the sea as escort and scouts. They were in actions at Rome, Adairsville, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Taylor's Ridge, Lafayette, Greysville, Lynch's Creek, Mt. Elon, and Fayetteville. Captain William Duncan was twice taken prisoner and escaped. With five men, he received the surrender of Milledgeville with General Howard thirty miles away. With two men he floated down the Ogeechee River in a dugout past Ft. McAllister out into the bay and thus opened communication between General Sherman and Admiral Dahlgren. The company was mustered out September 23, 1865.