20th Illinois Infantry Regiment

20th Illinois Infantry Regiment was a regiment of infantry that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Joliet, Illinois, and Chicago, Illinois, and mustered into service on June 13, 1861, with Colonel William Ross as its first commander. The regiment saw action in several major battles, including the Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Shiloh, and Battle of Chickamauga, and was part of the Army of the Tennessee under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and later William Tecumseh Sherman. The regiment was also involved in the Siege of Corinth and the Atlanta Campaign.

History

The 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment was formed in response to President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to suppress the Confederate States of America. The regiment was composed of men from Illinois, primarily from the northern part of the state, including Cook County, Illinois, Will County, Illinois, and Kane County, Illinois. The regiment was trained at Camp Butler near Springfield, Illinois, and later at Cairo, Illinois, before being sent to the front lines. The regiment saw its first action at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862, where it was part of the Division of Brigadier General John A. McClernand. The regiment also participated in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, where it was part of the Army of the Tennessee under the command of Ulysses S. Grant. The regiment was later involved in the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Stones River.

Organization and service

The 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment was organized into ten companies, each with a unique designation, such as Company A, Company B, and Company C. The regiment was part of the XV Corps and later the XIV Corps, and was involved in several major campaigns, including the Tullahoma Campaign and the Chattanooga Campaign. The regiment was also part of the Army of the Cumberland under the command of William Rosecrans and later George Henry Thomas. The regiment saw action in several states, including Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, and was involved in the Battle of Chickamauga and the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The regiment was mustered out of service on July 16, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and its members were discharged at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois.

Engagements and campaigns

The 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment was involved in several major battles and campaigns during the American Civil War, including the Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Stones River, Battle of Chickamauga, Battle of Missionary Ridge, Battle of Resaca, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of Atlanta, Battle of Jonesborough, Battle of Franklin, and Battle of Nashville. The regiment was also part of the Tullahoma Campaign, Chattanooga Campaign, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment saw action in several states, including Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, and was involved in the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Stones River. The regiment was part of the Army of the Tennessee under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and later William Tecumseh Sherman, and was also part of the Army of the Cumberland under the command of William Rosecrans and later George Henry Thomas.

Commanders and notable members

The 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment had several commanders during its service, including Colonel William Ross, Colonel Daniel Dustin, and Colonel Daniel Bradley. The regiment also had several notable members, including Captain John Smith, Lieutenant Colonel James F. Jacquess, and Sergeant Major William H. Harrison. The regiment was also involved in the Battle of Fort Donelson under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of Shiloh under the command of William Tecumseh Sherman. The regiment was part of the XV Corps and later the XIV Corps, and was involved in the Tullahoma Campaign and the Chattanooga Campaign under the command of William Rosecrans and later George Henry Thomas.

Legacy and monuments

The 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment has several monuments and memorials dedicated to its service, including a monument at the Shiloh National Military Park and a memorial at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The regiment is also commemorated at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, and has a museum dedicated to its history at the Chicago History Museum. The regiment's service is also recognized at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia. The regiment's history is also documented in several books, including The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and The Atlas of the Civil War. The regiment's legacy is also recognized by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Category:Illinois Civil War regiments