The American Civil War Research Database holds photos of these men of the regiment
#
Soldier
Company
In Date
In Method
Out Date
Out Reason
Out Place
1
Andrew J Bruner
K
05/25/61
Commission
11/20/61
died disease
2
Davis M Clark
F
05/25/61
Enlisted
04/27/62
disch
3
Davie Clough
E
05/25/61
Enlisted
06/15/64
Mustered Out
4
John A Collyer
B
05/25/61
Enlisted
06/15/64
Mustered Out
5
Daniel T Hindman
I
05/25/61
Enlisted
01/17/65
disch for Promo
6
John Hough
A
05/25/61
Enlisted
05/15/63
disch for Promo
7
Milton S Kimball
H
05/25/61
Commission
12/28/62
disch for Promo
8
Charles F Matteson
E
05/25/61
Enlisted
10/02/62
disch for Promo
9
Leonard Fulton Ross
H
05/14/61
Commission
04/25/62
disch for Promo
10
James C Weede
F
11/29/61
Enlisted
06/17/64
Transferred
11
Peter A Wheeler
H
12/06/63
Enlisted
05/26/64
Transferred
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
........
17th IL Infantry ( 3-years )
Organized: Peoria, IL on 5/24/61
Mustered Out: 6/4/64 at Springfield, IL
Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 3
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 1
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 71
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 71
(Source: Fox, Regimental Losses)
ILLINOIS
SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.
(three years)
The Seventeenth Regiment Of Illinois Infantry Volunteers
was mustered into the United States service at Peoria Ill., on
the 26th day of May, 1861. Left camp on the 17th of June for
Alton, Ill., for the purpose of more fully completing its
organization and arming. Late in July it proceeded from Alton
to St. Charles, Mo., remaining but one day; thence went to
Warrenton, Mo. where it remained in camp about two weeks -
Company "A" being detailed as body guard to General John Pope,
with headquarters at St. Charles.
The Regiment left Warrenton for St. Louis, and embarked on
transports for Bird's Point, Mo. Remained at Bird's Point some
weeks' doing garrison duty; then proceeded to Sulphur Springs
Landing debarking there, proceeded, via Pilot Knob and Ironton,
to Fredericktown, Mo., in pursuit of General Jeff Thompson, and
joined General B. M. Prentiss, command at Jackson, Mo.; thence
proceeded to Kentucky and aided in the construction of Fort
Holt; then ordered to Elliott's Mills; remained there a short
time and returned to Fort Holt; thence to Cape Girardeau, and
with other Regiments were again sent in pursuit of General
Jeff. Thompson's forces. Met and defeated them at Frederick
town, Mo., October 21, 1861, losing several killed and wounded.
The Regiment charged the enemy's lines early in the engagement,
completely routing him. Captured two 6-pound howitzers and 200
prisoners. The enemy fled in great confusion, leaving his dead
upon the field among whom was the Brigade Commander, Colonel
Lowe. Among the killed and wounded on the Union side was First
Lieutenant J. Q. A. Jones, Company "K”, killed ; Second
Lieutenant Owan Wilkins , Company 'A' wounded, and Sergeant
Jacob Wheeler, Company "K," was twice wounded, once
dangerously. October 22, pursued the enemy, and engaged him
near Greenfield, Ark., which the Seventeenth lost one killed
and several wounded. Returned to Cape Girardeau, doing provost
duty until early in February. 1862, when ordered to Fort Henry.
Participated in the sanguinary battle, followed by the
surrender of Fort Donelson, losing a number of men; thence
marched to Metal Landing; thence embarked for Savannah, later
arriving at Pittsburgh Landing, where the Regiment was assigned
to the First Division of the Army of West Tennessee, under command
of General John A. McClernand, and upon the memorable
field of Pittsburgh Landing took part in the momentous battles
of the 6th and 7th of April. On the 6th the Regiment was under
fire from early morn until night, when a rain set in.
Meanwhile under the dauntless and skillful leading of General
McClernand, the field contested with fluctuating success in
seven successive positions. At nightfall he formed his
decimated ranks for the eighth time upon the Seventeenth
Regiment to rest on their arms until the morning of the 7th,
when the Regiment with the Division moved forward to the
attack, and in co-operation with the other Union forces, after
a fierce and stubborn conflict, drove the enemy from the field.
it is a notable fact that the First Division, including the
Seventeenth Regiment, maintained its organization, not only
amid the wreck and confusion of the 6th, but also on the 7th.
It fought out the two days, battle. Had not this been so, the
Union forces must have been overwhelmed on the first day, and
to General McClernand, perhaps more than to any one commander,
is due the credit of averting this calamity.
In the two days the Seventeenth lost some 130 killed and
wounded. The victory won, later the Regiment marched with the
advance forces to Corinth. After the evacuation of Corinth,
marched to Purdy, Bethel, and Jackson, Tenn. ; remained there
until 17th of July, when the Regiment was ordered to Bolivar,
and assigned to duty as provost guard. Remained at Bolivar
until November, 1862, during which time participated in the
expedition to Iuka. to reinforce General Rosecrans.
Afterwards at the battle of Hatchie. Returned again to
Bolivar; remained there until middle of November. Then ordered
to Lagrange, reporting to Major General John A. Logan; were
assigned to duty as provost guard, Colonel Norton being
assigned to the command at that post. Early in December
marched to Holly Springs; thence to Abbeyville, guarding
railroads; thence to Oxford. After the capture of Holly
Springs, was assigned to the Sixth Division, Seventeenth Army
Corps, under Major General McPherson; then proceeded, via
Moscow, to Collierville, from there to Memphis, and was
assigned to duty at the navy yard. Remained there until
January 16; then embarked for Vicksburg; re-embarked and
proceeded to Lake Providence, La., then the headquarters Of the
Seventeenth Army Corps, doing duty there until the investment
of Vicksburg commenced. Arriving at Milliken's Bend on or about
May 1st, commenced to march across the Delta to Perkins,
Landing, on the Mississippi river; thence to crossing below
Grand Gulf, advancing with McPherson's command, via Raymond
Champion Hills, Jackson, Big Black, and to the final investment
of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that city, remained there
doing garrison duty and making incursions into the enemy's
country as far east as Meridian; west as far as Monroe, La.
Returning to Vicksburg, remained there until May, 1864- the
term of service of the Regiment expiring on the 24th of May, of
that year.
The Regiment was ordered to Springfield, Ill., for muster-
out and final discharge, when and where those of the original
organization who did not re-enlist as veterans were mustered
out and discharged. A sufficient number not having re-enlisted
to entitle them to retain their regimental organization, the
veterans and recruits whose term of service had not expired
were consolidated with the Eighth Illinois Infantry Volunteers,
and were finally mustered out with that Regiment and discharged
in the spring of 1866.
ORDERS OF CONSOLIDATION.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.
PUMPKIN VINE CHURCH, GA., May 26,
1864.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
No. 42.
Extract.--IV. The Veterans of the Seventeenth Regiment
Illinois Infantry Volunteers will 'be consolidated with the
Eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Major General
Slocum, commanding at Vicksburg, Miss., will issue the
necessary orders in the case.
WILLIAM T. CLARK, A. A. G.
By order Major General JAMES B. MCPHERSON,
Official: J. W. MILLER, J. A. G.
.......
The United States Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., holds the following documents in their unit bibliography:
17th Illinois Infantry Regiment
Armstrong, William M. "Cahaba to Charleston: The Prison Odyssey of Lt. Edmund E. Ryan." CW
Hist (Jun 1962): pp. 218 27 (5 photocopied pages). Per.
Palmer, George H. The Journal of…Medal of Honor Recipient: A Chronicle of his Early Life and
Participation in the U.S. Civil and Plains Indian Wars. [Ed by David A. Luff] Ventura, CA: By the Editor, 2000. 74 p. E467.1P35A33.
The following pertinent personal papers are in the Institute's Manuscript Archive:
Murray, William S. CWMiscColl (Enlisted man's letters, Jun 19-Aug 28, 1861)
Weston, Henry S. CWMiscColl (Enlisted man's letters, Dec 24, 1861-Apt 27, 1862 + some
undated)