21st Illinois Infantry Regiment

21st Illinois Infantry Regiment. The 21st Illinois Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry unit from the state of Illinois that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It is historically significant for being the first command of future General-in-Chief and President Ulysses S. Grant. The regiment saw extensive service in the Western Theater, participating in several major campaigns and battles before mustering out in 1864.

Organization and early history

The regiment was organized at Mattoon, Illinois, and mustered into federal service on June 28, 1861, for a three-year term. Its initial colonel was Ulysses S. Grant, who was appointed by Illinois Governor Richard Yates and began drilling the unit at its Camp Yates assembly point near Springfield, Illinois. Grant's tenure was brief, as he was soon promoted to brigadier general in the regular United States Army. Command then passed to Simon S. Goode, but he was quickly succeeded by John M. Palmer, a future Governor of Illinois and United States Senator. The regiment was initially assigned to duty in Missouri as part of the Department of the Missouri.

Service in the Western Theater

Following its initial posting, the 21st Illinois was heavily engaged in the war's Western campaigns. It fought under Major General John A. Logan in the Army of the Tennessee and saw action during the Siege of Corinth in 1862. The regiment participated in the pivotal Battle of Stones River in Tennessee as part of the XIV Corps. It later joined Major General William T. Sherman's command for the Meridian campaign in Mississippi. The unit's service was characterized by long marches and hard fighting across the states of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

Commanders and notable members

The regiment's most famous commander was its first, Ulysses S. Grant. His successor, John M. Palmer, led the unit through much of its early service before rising to command a division and later the XIV Corps. Another notable officer was Major John H. Howe, who later commanded the regiment. The unit also included Private James R. Slack, who would later become a Brigadier General. The political and military connections of its leaders provided the 21st Illinois with a prominent place in the Army of the Tennessee.

Engagements and campaigns

The 21st Illinois fought in numerous engagements throughout the conflict. Its first significant combat was at the Battle of Fredericktown in Missouri in October 1861. In 1862, it participated in the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Stones River. The following year, the regiment was involved in the Tullahoma Campaign and the Battle of Chickamauga, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. It also saw action during the Chattanooga Campaign, including the Battle of Missionary Ridge. Its final major operations were during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, including the Battle of Resaca and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.

Casualties and legacy

The regiment suffered significant losses during its service, with many men killed or wounded in action and others succumbing to disease. It completed its three-year term of enlistment in June 1864, at which point the veterans and recruits whose terms had not expired were consolidated into a battalion. This battalion continued to serve until the end of the American Civil War. The 21st Illinois is memorialized for its steadfast service and its unique place in history as the first combat command of Ulysses S. Grant, a central figure in Union victory. A monument to the regiment stands on the Chickamauga battlefield.

Category:Illinois Civil War regiments Category:1861 establishments in Illinois