Overview
The 29th Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, and mustered into United States service on August 19, 1861. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment participated in major campaigns across the Western Theater, including actions in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The unit is noted for its involvement in significant battles such as Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and the Mobile Campaign.
The regiment was initially assigned to Brigadier General John A. McClernand’s brigade and later served under various commands as it moved through multiple campaigns. The 29th Illinois reenlisted as a veteran regiment in early 1864 and continued service until mustering out in Texas in November 1865.
Organization & Service
The 29th Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, and mustered into Federal service on August 19, 1861. The regiment was first attached to the brigade of Brigadier General John A. McClernand. In September 1861, it was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, and in October participated in an expedition to Bloomfield, Missouri.
The regiment saw its first major combat at the battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862, suffering significant casualties. It then took part in the battle of Shiloh in April 1862, where it again sustained heavy losses. The 29th Illinois was engaged throughout the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, in the spring of 1862.
In December 1862, the regiment moved to the rear of General Grant’s army at Coldwater, Mississippi, and soon after camped at Holly Springs. On December 18, two companies (D and K) under Lieutenant Colonel Kent were sent to Jackson, Tennessee, for protection duties. On December 20, after the Confederate capture of Holly Springs, eight companies of the regiment were paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Missouri, remaining there until exchanged in July 1863. The two detached companies served with the western navy during the siege of Vicksburg, suffering casualties while running the batteries at Vicksburg and Grand Gulf.
In January 1864, the regiment reenlisted and was mustered as a veteran organization. After receiving a veteran furlough in July 1864, the regiment resumed active service. In March 1865, it participated in the siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, and subsequently in the siege and capture of Fort Blakely. Following the Mobile Campaign, the regiment was transferred to Texas, where it remained on duty until mustering out on November 6, 1865.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Expedition to Bloomfield, Missouri (October 1861)
- Battle of Fort Donelson (February 1862)
- Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
- Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
- Operations at Coldwater and Holly Springs, Mississippi (December 1862)
- Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863; two companies with the navy)
- Siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama (March–April 1865)
- Siege and capture of Fort Blakely, Alabama (April 1865)
- Postwar duty in Texas (1865)
Casualties
At Fort Donelson, the regiment lost approximately 100 men killed and wounded, with 30 killed on the field. At Shiloh, it lost about 100 killed and wounded out of 400 engaged. During the Mobile Campaign, the regiment lost 26 men killed and wounded. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not specified in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel James S. Rearden
- Colonel Mason Brayman
- Colonel Charles M. Ferrill
- Colonel Loren Kent
- Lieutenant Colonel James E. Dunlap
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles M. Ferrill
- Lieutenant Colonel Loren Kent
- Lieutenant Colonel John A. Callicott
- Major Mason Brayman
- Major John A. Callicott
- Major Elijah P. Curtis
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 29th Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 29th Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 7, 10, 17, 24, 32, 39
- Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- Contemporary reports and regimental returns, 1861–1865