History of the Brigade

1st Brigade Illinois Volunteers

April 1861 to July 1861

Chronological listing of the events leading to the creation

of the

 1st Brigade Illinois Volunteers

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Eleven states joined together to form the Confederate States of America (CSA) with a president, Jefferson Davis.  On December 20, 1860 the eleven states of the CSA, in order of secession, were: South Carlonia, Mississipps, Flordia, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and North Carlonia. (Tennessee seceded on June 8, 1861).

Both the outgoing administration of President Buchanan and the incoming administration of President Lincoln rejected the legality of secession, considering it rebellion.  The official U.S. Government term for the period of conflict between 1861 and 1866 (note 1865 is not the correct date as fighting continued in Texas until 1866) is known as The War of the Rebellion.

Bombardment of Fort Sumter April 1861

April 12, 1861

The State Militia of Southern Carolina, after succeeding from the United States of America on December 20, 1860, opens fire on the federal installation, Fort Sumter, located within the harbor of Charlestown, SC.

April 13, 1861

The federal installation within Charlestown Harbor, Fort Sumter, surrenders.

April 15, 1861

Proclamation …. “Washington, April 15, 1861. Whereas the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the Marshals by law, Now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details, for this object, will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to re-possess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country. And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date. Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers, at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July, next, then and there to consider and determine, such measures, as, in their wisdom, the public safety, and interest may seem to demand. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand, Eight hundred and Sixty-one, and of the Independence the United States the Eighty-fifth.”

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

 Recruitment of civilians for the "First Call".

April 15, 1861

• • Dispatch …..“Washington, April 15, 1861. His Excellency, Richard Yates: Call made on you by to-night’s mail. For six regiments of militia, for immediate service, 

• Simon Cameron, Secretary of War”

April 19, 1861

• • Dispatch …… “Washington, April 19, 1861, Governor Yates: As soon as enough of your troops are mustered into service, send a Brigadier General, with for regiments, at or near Grand Cairo.  Simon Cameron, Secretary of War"

  • Dispatch …..“Springfield, April 19, 1861, General Swift: As quickly as possible have as strong a force as you can raise, armed and equipped with ammunition and accoutrements, and a company of artillery, ready to march at a moment’s warning. A messenger will start to Chicago tonight.  Richard Yates, Commander-in-Chief” 

  • Ten companies consisting of 4 artillery batteries, 6 infantry regiments, a drum corps and HQ were established. The total was roughly 595 and consisted of the following organizations: Chicago Light Artillery, *Ottawa Light Artillery, *Lockport Light Artillery, *Plainfield Light Artillery, Co A Chicago Zouaves, Co B Chicago Zouaves, Captain Harding's Company, Turner Union Cadets, Lincoln Rifles, *Sandwich Company, Drum Corps and General Swift with Staff.  

NOTE: Units listed above, in BOLD left on the first train and the units marked with * took the second train the following day. The Independent Light Artillery joined the force by the 28th of April 1861.

• • Illinois Governor Yates issues a proclamation to convene the Legislature of the State at Springfield on the 23rd of April for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary upon the following subject of the Southern Rebellion.

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 April 20, 1861

State of Illinois calls for six new regiments to be formed.

April 21, 1861

The first train of troops under the comand of General Swift leaves Chicago and travels to Cairo, IL. Ordres are to take posession of and defend the old fortifications of Fort Defiance, over-looking the Mississippi River.

April 22, 1861

• • Second train of troops leaves Chicago for Fort Defiance.

  • Captain Pope of the Federal Regular Army arrives as the Mustering Officer in Springfield, IL

April 23, 1861 Springfield, IL

From a special emergency session of the Illinois State General Assembly a proclamation “To wit: The more perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State, and placing the same upon the best footing to render efficient assistance to the General Government in preserving the Union enforcing the laws, protecting the property and rights of the people, and also the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the forgoing objects; and also to provide for the expenses of such session.”

“General Order #1: Form a headquarters, directing all divisions, brigades, regiments and companies to hold themselves in readiness for actual service.

General Order #2: Immediate organization of six regiments.”

April 24, 1861

• • General Swift hands over command  to Colonel B. M. Prentiss, US Army, and he returns to Chicago for recruitment duty.

  • Dispatch ........ HeadQuarters Camp Cairo, Colonel B.M. Pretiss,

• "Dear Sir; The steamers, C.E. Hillman and John D. Perry, are about to leave St. Louis with arms and munitions. Stop said boats and seize arms and munitions. Richard Yates, Commander-in-Chief.”

• April 25, 1861

• A small contingent consisting of the Chicago Light Artillery commanded by Captain James Smith and 25 infantrymen seized the transports and confiscated all contrabanded articles

• • Emergency meeting of the Illinois State General Assembly was held by Govornor Yates in Springfield, IL. Per the State General Assembly, 6 Regiments will be numbered as reflected from the state first army militia force that served in the Mexican War. These numbers begin with the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th Regiments. Officers are to be elected and ranks need to be filled as quickly as possible and entered into service at Cairo.  The State of Illinois creates an organization to be called the 1st Brigade Illinois Volunteers.

May 6th 1861

10 Regiments of Infantry and 1 Cavalry were created by the State and the government declines to take the Cavalry and would only receive 6 regiments. 

June 1861

The U.S. Government accepted the Cavalry from Illinois into service. The State authorizes another 17 Infantry regiments and 1 Cavalry regiment to be created.

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July 21, 1861

First Battle of Manassas, VA (Bull Run) is fought and lost by the Union Army

July 22, 1861

President A. Lincoln signed a bill that provided for the enlistment of 500,000 men for up to three years of service. From this time on the State of Illinois provides over 285,000 soldiers who serve in the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion.

 Poster for volunteers into the Union Army

The swearing in of volunteers for the Federal Army:

“I, …… do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all enemies or opposers whatsoever, that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States, and of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules of the armies of the United States: so help me God”.