HISTORICAL NOTES:
Seven Companies, "A" to "G," organized at Alton, Illinois, and mustered in July 3, 1861. The Regiment mustered out July 14, 1862.
Companies "I," "H" and "K" were not mustered with Regiment and never served with it. These companies mustered out December 27, 1862.
Companies "I," "H" and "K" were mustered at Alton at later dates and never served with the main body of the regiment. The original companies served as guards for supply trains and depots until mustered out on July 14, 1862. The remaining companies served independently.
Noleman's Cavalry
Company H of the regiment was named "Noleman's Cavalry" after its captain, Robert D. Noleman. This company was organized at Centralia, Illinois, and mustered into service of the United States on June 14, 1861, for a period of one year. The group was first rendezvoused at Cairo, Illinois, but soon were transferred to Bird's Point, Missouri. They fought in the Battle of Belmont on November 7, 1861, and thereafter scouted through southeastern Missouri and western Kentucky during the winter of 1861–62.
On March 2, 1862, the group, joined by then-Colonel James D. Morgan, led the pursuit of Confederate Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson in southeastern Missouri. They were unsuccessful in capturing Thompson but did capture artillery. Col. Morgan praised the group's perseverance and Gen. Thompson later recalled, "The cavalry are a perfect set of daredevils, all officers wearing feathers on their hats." From February to April 1862 the company joined Brigadier General John Pope in the Union effort to take New Madrid, or Kentucky Bend, on the Mississippi River. Their engagements included the Battle of Island Number Ten and the Confederate surrender after that battle at Tiptonville, Tennessee.
After the fall of New Madrid the group proceeded down the Mississippi River, and in June 1862 their company were the first U.S. troops to enter the city of Memphis.[1] In July 1862 they were ordered to St. Louis to be mustered out of service. During their year of service Company H captured 167 prisoners, 209 horses and mules, and numerous guns and ammunition.
The Regiment lost during service 17 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 26 Enlisted men by disease. Total 43.
OFFICERS:
Colonel Thomas A. Marshall – mustered out July 14, 1862, with the main body of the regiment.
Major David P. Jenkins
ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to Dept. of Missouri. Moved to St. Charles, Mo., thence to Jefferson City, Mexico, Hannibal and Lexington, Mo. Skirmish at Georgetown, Mo., August (Co. "C"). Siege of Lexington, Mo., September 11-20. Surrendered September 20. Reorganizing at Benton Barracks, Mo., until June, 1862. Guard supply trains and depots at Rolla, Houston, West Plains, etc. Mustered out July 14, 1862. Company "H" organized at Alton, Ill., June 12, 1861. Company "I" organized at Alton, Ill., July 9, 1861. Company "K" organized at Alton, Ill., December 9, 1861. Companies "H" and "I" attached to Military District · of Cairo to February, 1862. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, Military District of Cairo, to March, 1862. Unattached, Army of Mississippi, to April, 1862. Cavalry Division, Army Mississippi, to June, 1862. District of Memphis, Tenn., to July, 1862.
SERVICE:
Skirmishes at Charleston, near Bird's Point, August 19-20, 1861. Fish Lake August 20. Underwood's Farm, near Bird's Point, October 14. Action at Belmont, Mo., November 7. At Cairo, Ill., and Bird's Point, Mo., until March, 1862. Operations against New Market, Mo., March 1-14, and against Island No. 10, Mississippi River, March 15-April 8. Duty at New Madrid until June, and at Memphis, Tenn., until July. Mustered out July 15, 1862. Company "K" attached to Army of Southwest Missouri January to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. Army of Southeast Missouri to December, 1862. Action at Warrensburg, Mo., March 28. Mustered out December 27, 1862.
ROSTERS:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1854 men.
Company A - McLean County
Company B - Gallatin County (Also Known as Gallatin County Cavalry)
Company C - Coles County
Company D - Knox County, Henry County, and Peoria County
Company E - Montgomery County
Company F - Adams County and Sangamon County
Company G - Warren County
Company H - Marion and Grundy counties (Also Known as Centralia Cavalry)
Company I - White County (Also Known as White County Cavalry)
Company K - Winnebago County (Also Known as Light Dragoons, Steele's Guards, Huntley's Cavalry Company)
HISTORICAL NOTES: