40th Illinois Infantry

Regimental History and Service Record

Organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in August 10, 1861. Moved to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., August 13, 1861, thence to Bird's Point, Mo., August 30, and to Paducah, Ky., September 8. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to May, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, District of Memphis, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--

Duty at Paducah, Ky., until March, 1862.
November 7-9, 1861 - Demonstration from Paducah on Columbus, Kentucky
Moved to Savannah, Tenn., March 10-14, 1862.
March 14-17, 1862 - Expedition from Savannah to Yellow Creek, Mississippi and Occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
April 6-7, 1862 - Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee

Corinth Road April 8. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., via LaGrange Grand Junction and Holly Springs, June 1 to July 21. Duty at Memphis until November 21. Sherman's Tallahatchie March November 26-December 12. At Davis' Mills and scouting in Northern Mississippi until April, 1863. Expedition through Northern Mississippi, April 17-26. Guarding Memphis and Charleston R. R. until June. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., June 8-14.

May 18-July 4, 1863 - Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10.
Birdsong Ferry, Black River, July 4-6.
Siege of Jackson, Miss., July 10-17.
At Big Black River until September 25.
September 26-November 20, 1863 - Expedition from Vicksburg, Mississippi to Chattanooga, Tennessee
Operations on Memphis and Charleston R. R. in Alabama October 20-29.
November 23-27, 1863 - The Chattanooga/Ringgold Campaign^[1]
- November 23-25, 1863 - Battles of Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Tunnel Hill November 23-24.
- Mission Ridge November 25.
- Pursuit to Graysville November 26-27.
March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn. November 28-December 9.
At Scottsboro until May, 1864.
Regiment veteranized January 1, 1864.
Veterans on furlough March to May.
June 3-September 8, 1864 - The Atlanta Campaign
- Joined army June 3.
- Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2.
- Brush Mountain June 15.
- Assault on Kenesaw June 27.
- Nickajack Creek July 2-5.
- Chattahoochie River July 5-17.
- July 22, 1864 - Battle of Atlanta, Georgia
- July 22-August 25, 1864 - Siege of Atlanta, Georgia
- Ezra Chapel, Hood's 2nd sortie, July 28.
- Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30.
- Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1.
- Lovejoy Station September 2-6.
- Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 3-26.
November 15-December 21, 1864 - The Savannah Campaign
- Griswoldsville November 22.
- Ogeechee River December 7-9.
- December 10-21, 1864 - Siege of Savannah, Georgia
January 1-April 26, 1865 - The Carolinas Campaign
- Reconnaissance to Salkehatchie River January 25.
- Combahee River, S.C., January 28.
- Salkehatchie Swamps February 2-5.
- South Edisto River February 9.
- North Edisto River February 11-12.
- Savannah Creek and Congaree Creek February 15.
- Columbia February 15-17.
- Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21.
- Mill Creek March 22. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24.
- Advance on Raleigh April 10-14.
- Occupation of Raleigh April 14.
- Bennett's House April 26.
  - Surrender of Johnston, and his army.
March to Washington, D.C. via Richmond April 29-May 19.
Grand Review May 24.
Moved to Louisville, Ky., June 6.
Mustered out July 24, 1865.