Residence Wayne County IL;
Enlisted on 11/8/1861 as a Private.
On 11/24/1861 he mustered into "M" Co. IL 5th Cavalry
He was Mustered Out on 12/17/1864
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
You may procure his service records at: http://history-sites.com/research/index.htm It would be interesting
to find out why he was discharged early. I would guess that he was either wounded or otherwise disabled.
5th Illinois Cavalry
Organized: Camp Butler, Springfield, IL on 8/31/61
Mustered Out: 10/27/65 at Springfield, IL
Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 0
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 5
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 28
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 414
(Source: Fox, Regimental Losses)
ILLINOIS
5TH CAVALRY
(Three Years)
Fifth Cavalry.-Cols., Hall Wilson, John McConnell,
Lieut.-Cols., Benjamin L. Wiley, Thomas A. Apperson, Abel H.
Seeley; Majs., Speed Butler, Thomas A. Apperson, Abel H.
Seeley, James Farnan, Horace P. Mumford, George W. McConkey.
This regiment was organized at Camp Butler in Nov., 1861, and
mustered in for three years. On Feb. 20, 1862, it moved to
Benton barracks, St. Louis Mo., and on March 27, marched to
Doniphan, arriving there on April 1, driving out the enemy,
capturing his camp, killing 3 and taking 7 prisoners. In
October, a forage train was attacked by the enemy and 79 of
the regiment were captured, after losing 1 killed and 6
wounded. In the spring of 1863 it entered the Vicksburg
campaign and on June 3, made a reconnoissance to
Mechanicsburg, drove the enemy 10 miles, skirmishing heavily.
On the following day it formed a junction with two regiments
of infantry and 8 pieces of artillery, attacked the enemy and
defeated him, the regiment losing 1 killed and 7 wounded. In
July, it accompanied an expedition to Canton, Miss., arriving
there after some fighting, and after destroying the public
workshops, railroads, etc., returned to the main army at
Jackson. On Aug. 21, it encountered and defeated Blythe's
Confederate cavalry at Coldwater, the regiment losing 1 killed
and 5 wounded. In October it took part in a cavalry charge at
Brownsville, routing the Confederate Gen. Wirt Adams, and
driving him from his position, the regiment losing 2 wounded
and 1 prisoner. On Jan. 1, 1864, many in the regiment
reenlisted as veterans, and in March, were furloughed home,
returning to the command on May 10. The remainder of the
regiment's term of service was spent in Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas, engaged in scouting and guard duties. It was
mustered out at Springfield, Ill., Oct. 27, 1865.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
[American Civil War Research Database]
See also:
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm
http://civilwar.ilgenweb.net/reg_html/cav_005.html
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/USal-in.html#IL-Cav
http://www.mosocco.com/illinois.html
http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cwc5.html
Carroll, John M., ed. Custer in Texas: An Interrupted Narrative: Including Narratives of the First Iowa Cavalry, the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, the Fifth Illinois Cavalry, the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and the Military Mutiny in Custer's Command While in Louisiana. NY: S. Lewis, 1975. 288 p
l