Colin,
Yes there is a Robert in the 120th IL.Inf.However what you wrote above would indicate Gualey went the way of normal prisoners and while Robert might of requested special circumstance,it looks as if fell on deaf ears.Here is another lead 101IL.Inf.Regimental History.
For about a month after muster-in the Regiment remained at Camp Duncan,Jacksonville,IL., engaged in drilling and equipping for the field. At Last, on the 6th of October, marching orders came, and, embarking on the cars, the Regiment, on the evening of the 7th, reached Cairo at sunset.
Here the Regiment remained for over a month, doing garrison duty. The interim was devoted to drill, in which the Regiment became so proficient as to win a very fair name. In consequence of the rainy weather, there was a great deal of sickness while at Cairo, and a good many men were discharged or died from disease. November 26 the Regiment left Cairo, and proceeded down the river to Columbus, Ky., and thence, by rail, to Davis' Mills, Miss., where it was assigned to Loomis' Brigade of Ross' Division, Army of the Tennessee.
November 28 it started on its first march, and, on the 30th, reached Lumpkin's Mills, six miles south of Holly Springs, where the Regiment first heard the "clash of contending arms", from the Tallahatchie River, six miles beyond. The Regiment remained at Lumpkin's Mills three days, when it received orders to return to Holly Springs, Miss., for PROVOST and garrison duty.
December 13, Company A, Captain John B. Lesage, was sent to Cairo, with rebel prisoners. December 20, Holly Springs was captured, and Companies B, C, E, F, I and the sick men of Company A, who had been left behind, were taken prisoners and paroled. Soon after they were sent to Memphis, and, thence, to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they remained until exchanged, in June 1863.
This last paragraph might indicate why he was in IL.(with a detachment gaurding Rebel prisoners)Cairo is a major hub by rail or river. Illinois Central goes right to Chicago.He could of stayed there from the 13th and because of the capture of Holly Springs by Rebels and stayed in Il.till it could be decided what to do. Five hundred of the regiment were captured and exchanged June of 63.Roughly half.Since the regiment had garrison duty at Cairo in Oct-Nov. of 1862.
Murfreesboro prisoners could of easily come through Cairo on their way to Camp Douglas.
This is also interesting:
Afterwards, these four companies were formed into a Battalion, and temporarily assigned to the Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers, and did a great deal of scouting service over Tennessee, finally bringing up at Memphis, Tenn., in February 1863. Here they were joined by Company A, Captain Lesage, who took command of the Battalion. Upon leaving Holly Springs, Company A proceeded to Cairo, and thence to Vicksburg, but was sent back up the river with prisoners. About the first of February the prisoners were turned over at Alton, Ill., but not until the Company had been fearfully decreased by the sickness incurred while on that duty. Often Captain Lesage could not muster half a dozen men for duty, and this, too, when he had over a thousand prisoners under his charge.
It looks as if this regiment delt with prisoners on several occations.
From Muster roll:
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
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Name MCKEE, ROBERT
Rank CPT Company G Unit 101 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence WAVERLY, MORGAN CO, IL Age 34 Height 5' 10 1/4 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion FLORID Marital Status MARRIED Occupation PRINTER
Nativity BELLVILLE, ST CLAIR CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 9, 1862 Joined Where WAVERLY, IL
Joined By Whom ROBERT MCKEE Period 3 YRS
Muster In SEP 2, 1862 Muster In Where JACKSONVILLE, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks RESIGNED JAN 2, 1863
St.Clair Co. had a large southern population.
I would say get the CMSR of Cpl.Robert McKee Co.G,101IL.Inf. and see if that lends a clue.
Is it possible Robert was in a regiment from a different state. Yes.