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14th Illinois Cavalry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Fourteenth Cavalry. — Cols., Horace Capron, Francis M.
Davidson; Lieut.-Cols., Horace Capron, David P. Jenkins, David Quigg;
Majs., David P. Jenkins, Francis M. Davidson, David Quigg, Haviland
Tompkins, James B. Dent, Thomas J. Jenkins, Henry Connelly. This
regiment was recruited and organized in the fall and winter of 1862,
with headquarters at Peoria. On Jan. 7, 1863, the 1st and 2nd battalions
were mustered, and the 3d battalion on Feb. 6. In February and March the
regiment received its horses and equipments and was placed under
thorough discipline and well drilled in tactics. On March 28 it started
for the front and on April 17 arrived at Glasgow, Ky., where it was
brigaded. In June it pursued and attacked Col. Hamilton's Confederate
force near Turkey Neck bend, driving the enemy into the mountains in
Tennessee. It pursued the Confederate raider, John Morgan, from July 4
until he was captured, the expedition coveriny 2,100 miles, taking part
in many of the skirmishes and battles on this raid, being especially
conspicuous at the battle of Buffington island and in the six days'
pursuit thereafter, resulting in the capture of Morgan himself. At
Cumberland gap it was active in closing in on the enemy, capturing the
Confederate force and an immense amount of supplies. On Sept. 18 it
pursued Col. Carter's Confederate command as far east as Bristol,
killing and capturing many and securing the Confederate train with a
large quantity of arms, ammunition and supplies. The next day it drove
the enemy through Bristol into Virginia, again engaged him on Sept.
20-22, and drove him at every point. On Oct. 11 another severe
engagement was fought by the regiment and on the 14th it again drove the
enemy from his cover. On Feb. 2, 1864, after following an old Indian
trail through the mountains, it surprised "Thomas' Legion" of whites and
Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, killing and capturing the greater
part. During the Atlanta campaign the regiment went on the disastrous
Macon raid and was nearly annihilated, but the scattered fragments
escaped and joined the line of battle in front of Atlanta, having the
honor to enter the city with the advance forces. On Nov. 8 it arrived at
Waynesboro, Tenn., where it disputed Hood's advance, the contest
continuing for 3 days. While guarding Duck river fords on the 29th it
was cut off and surrounded, but in a gallant charge cut its way out. The
battle of Nashville, including the pursuit, capture and destruction of
Hood's great army, practically closed the fighting and other aggressive
work of the regiment. With its brigade it was afterward stationed at
Pulaski, Tenn., performing the ordinary camp and guard duty, where
headquarters continued until it went to Nashville to be mustered out on
July 31, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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