16th Illinois Cavalry

Regimental History and Service Record

Organized at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ills., January to April, 1863, by assignment of Thielman's Independent Cavalry Battalion as Companies "A" and "B." Schambeck's Independent Cavalry Company as Company "C." Company "D" organized March 27, 1863. Company "E," originally organized for 17th Illinois Cavalry, assigned as Company "E." Company "F," organized January 2, 1863. Company "G," organized May 21, 1863. Company "H" organized February 17, 1863. McClellan's Body Guard, organized January 21 to April 16, 1863, assigned as Companies "I," "K" and "L." Company "M" organized May 19, 1863. Duty at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ills., until October, 1863. (Cos. "A" and "B," Thielman's Battalion, and Co. "C," Schambeck's Company, served detached. For history, see these organizations.) Ordered to Covington, Ky., October 16, 1863, thence to Knoxville, Tenn. Attached to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., Left Wing forces, Dept. of Ohio, to January, 1864. District of the Clinch, Dept. Ohio, to February, 1864. Camp Nelson, Ky., 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of Ohio, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division Cavalry Corps, Dept. Ohio, to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, Stoneman's Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to June, 1864. Detached Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1864. Dismounted Cavalry Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, 6th Division Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.--Moved to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and garrison duty there until February, 1864.

November 29, 1863 - Skirmish near Jonesville, Virginia (1st Battalion)^[1]
December 1, 1863 - Skirmish near Jonesville, Virginia (1st Battalion)^[2]
December 13, 1863 - Skirmish near Jonesville, Virginia
January 3, 1864 - Action at Jonesville, Virginia (3rd Battalion)

Near Stickleyville, Powell Run, December 13, 1863 (Co. "E"). At Camp Nelson, Ky., February to April, 1864. Moved to Red Clay, Ga., April 28-May 10.

May 10?-September 8, 1864 - The Atlanta Campaign
- May 9-13, 1864 - Demonstration on Dalton, Georgia^[3]
- Action at Varnell Station May 12.
- Battle of Resaca May 13-15.
- Advance on Dallas May 18-25.
- May 25-June 5, 1864 - Operations in Bartow County, Georgia
- Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2.
- Lost Mountain June 15-17.
- Muddy Creek June 17.
- Noyes Creek June 19.
- Cheyney's Farm June 27.
- Olley's Creek June 26.
- Assault on Kenesaw June 27. (Assigned to 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, June 21.)
- Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 6-17.
- July 22-August 25, 1864 - Siege of Atlanta, Georgia
- Detached as Provost Guard 23rd Army Corps, August 16.
- At Decatur until September 14.
- Ordered to Nicholasville, Ky., September 14, to refit.
- Moved to Nashville, Tenn., October 22, thence moved to Pulaski, Fayetteville and Waynesboro.

Nashville Campaign November-December. Henrysville and Mt. Pleasant November 23. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Maury's Mills and crossing of Duck River November 28. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Franklin and West Harpeth River December 17. Spring Hill December 18. Rutherford Creek December 19,

December 25, 1864 - Action near Pulaski, Tennessee

At Pulaski until March, 1865, and at Springfield until May. Duty at Pulaski, Holton, Courtland and Decatur, Ala., until August. Mustered out August 19, 1865.