9th Illinois Infantry “The Bloody Ninth”
The History of the 9th Illinois Infantry started quiet and ended rather quiet, but the days in between under the command of Colonel Augustus C. Mersy, were fast paced & bloody. This written history will cover the three incarnations of the regiment. With President Lincoln’s initial call for troops, several influential people went about and began recruiting; with the several companies being raised within the Southwestern part of the state. The vast majority of the raw recruits were enlisted into service on 15 April 1861; with Company A being raised by Augustus Mersy in Belleville; Company B, raised by Rudolphius Beckier in Belleville; Company C, recruited by Louis Tiedemann in Lebanon; Company D, raised by Alex G. Hawes, in Belleville; Otto Koellein recruited Company E, in Mascoutah; and finally Company F was made up with additional men that were recruited but their was no space for in the existing Companies. Many of the recruited men were Turners, some had been members of various volunteer companies from time to time in Belleville, and the older men had served under or known of August Mersy from the “Hecker Uprising” in Baden, Germany in 184849. The residents of St. Clair County, outfitted their soldiers in handsome uniforms. The women of Belleville presented the companies going to war a beautiful silk banner, which was carried by Rudolph Heimberger of Fayetteville (throughout the war, and was placed in the state achieves along with the regimental flags after the war). Augustus Mersy was raised and educated as a military officer in the Army of the Grand Duchy of Baden. In the beginning of the “Hecker Uprising” in 1848; being a staff officer in the Grand Duke’s Army, he was initially against the revolutionaries but gradually changed his mind and accepted a position as a Colonel in the Revolutionary Army gaining valuable experience in commanding troops in wartime. He escaped to Switzerland in 1849 after the revolution was put down by Prussian troops; and then journeyed to America. Settling in Belleville, he traded his military uniform for a business suit and became a clerk at a local bank before working his way up to cashier. When the drum beats of war came across the American landscape, Mersy knew what needed to be done, and his German military training proved invaluable.1
The St. Clair County boys immediately left (after a brief period of intense drilling) for a short trip to Springfield, Illinois (being the first volunteers to arrive in Springfield from a distance); to receive their arms (Springfield 1861 muskets), and were joined by three companies from Madison County and one from Montgomery County. The recruits marched through the streets of Springfield, as well drilled soldiers; while the recruits from adjoining counties came in common clothes, weren’t drilled and didn’t know a thing about marching. It was at the insistence of Gustav Koerner that their first Commanding Officer be the Mexican War veteran Ebenezer Paine, to whom Governor Yates installed as Colonel, while the men of the regiment would have preferred Mersy, who was installed as Lieutenant Colonel. Paine was picked since he was a West Point graduate, while Mersy was a combat veteran, he didn’t completely grasp the English language. Being the third Illinois Regiment raised for service in the War of Rebellion, they were christened the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (the first six regiments were raised for the Mexican War in 184648), as the regiment was mustered into service on 26 April 1861; by Captain John Pope, U.S. Army. Afterwards, the 9th Infantry was immediately sent to Cairo, Illinois; to protect the city, arriving on May 1, 1861 and they were quickly followed by the 8th & 10th Illinois. The Illinois state government acting on their own sent the 7th Illinois was sent to protect Alton; 11th Illinois was sent to Villa Ridge (near Belleville) and the 12th Illinois was sent to Casey‘s Station (Caseyville). The Illinois Government feared that the Confederate Government (or Illinois secessionists in the southern part of the state) would attempt to invade and occupy the city of Cairo, which would have severed all communication and riverboat travel between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Once at Cairo, Colonel Benjamin M. Prentiss of the 10th Illinois was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of all forces in Cairo, under a unified command.
1 Photo: Col. Augustus C. Mersy Life for the soldiers at Cairo was difficult at best, as the soldiers were not issued uniforms and many only had the clothes on their backs for the entire three month enlistment. They were issued no provisions (tents, blankets etc) and their rations were irregular. The city of Cairo had no livable areas for the soldiers sent, so they were forced cut a camp ground out of the wooded area between the city of Cairo and the Mississippi River. Their duty was fairly simple, as they mainly building fortifications and many hours spent on guard duty. What action the soldiers in Cairo saw was in the form of scouting parties into Kentucky and Missouri, to observe Rebel movements and if need be, scatter them. The 9th Illinois did not participate in any formal action.
“Colonel Paine2 was not the right man, he was an old fogy, a marinet and was constantly electioneering. General Prentiss has promised the men, that, if they will enter the three years service, they can reorganize and elect new officers, and now the electioneering business begins again and with that everything goes to the devil.” A letter to Gustav Koerner from August Mersy, dated 23 June 1861.
Permission was granted to General Prentiss to reorganize the three month regiments into three year regiments and out of nearly a thousand men, only 250 volunteered to reenlist into the 9th Illinois Infantry, as many men openly dislike Colonel Paine and wouldn‘t reenlist under his command. Those that didn’t reenlist were sent home, where many of them eventually reenlisted in other regiments (such as the 43rd, 49th, 59th, 70th, 82nd, 149th Illinois & the 12th Missouri) and some garnered much success, with their new regiments. The regiment lost its “All German” flavor, and by August 1861; the regiment was back up to full strength with fresh recruits arriving under three year contracts. During this time, they were well drilled until September, with precision and the Ninth was outfitted with militia uniforms, which were grey in color, trimmed in blue with Zouave caps. After the Confederates violated Kentucky’s neutrality, General Grant moved his forces that were bottled up in Cairo, across the Ohio River by steamer and seized Paducah, Kentucky for the Union, on September 5th, the Ninth went with the 12th Illinois. An unexpected and welcomed change of command took place on September 8th, when Colonel Paine was promoted to Brigadier General; as Lieutenant Colonel August Mersey took command, with his own promotion to Colonel, that followed on November 15th. The Ninth left Paducah on there first sortie on 15 October, 1861; when 300 men commanded by Major Jesse Philipps, were transported by the gunboat Conestoga to Eddyville, Kentucky. After marching through the night, they attacked an encampment of 200 Confederate soldiers in Saratoga, Kentucky. The Ninth marched away victorious, with only three wounded men, Captain William Kueffner being one of them, and then only slightly wounded. Once they returned they had twenty prisoners and a large amount of captured Confederate property. By early November, things were heating up across the Mississippi River, and the Ninth departed Paducah once again, in force in an attempt to draw Confederate Forces away from Belmont, Missouri. With winter settling in, the Ninth remained in Paducah, until early February; as during this time the men of the Ninth were getting used too hard marches, while learning to live off the land. Further changes in the Command Staff of the Ninth occurred on 2 December 1861; Major Jesse Phillips was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Captain (of Company A) John Kuhn to Major, and 1st Lieutenant Emil Adam to Captain of Company A. Leaving Company H, in Paducah, the 9th Illinois was assigned to the Army of Tennessee, in the 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade, alongside the 12th Illinois, 40th Illinois & 41st Illinois, on 4 & 5 February 1862 for Brown‘s Landing, Tennessee. They stood ready to attack Fort Henry (located on the Tennessee River) on 6 February, but weren‘t called into action, as the Navy brought a quick victory, after reducing the Fort with gunboats. After the fall of Fort Henry, as it was not designed for an infantry assault, they marched overland twelve miles to Fort Donelson (located on the Cumberland River), between 1116 February 1862. The Ninth would be bloodied for the first time, when a Confederate flanking move hit the Ninth hard, taking significant casualties (35 KIA, 160 WIA & 6 POW) but were repulsed successfully, while buying General Grant time to
2 Photo: Col. Ebenezer Paine regroup the Federal Army. The Regiment was forced to lay in the snow during the battle, without overcoats and many suffered from exposure. The Ninth and the 2nd Iowa Infantry were given the honor of being the first regiments to march into the newly captured fort, with the Ninth taking command of the 14th Mississippi Infantry; 14th, 18th & 32nd Tennessee Infantries; and the 2nd Kentucky Infantry; about 2,000 men total. The Ninth remained at Fort Donelson until 22 February. Afterwards, the Ninth was sent to Fort Sevier, near Clarksville, Tennessee; on 25 February. The Ninth then embarked the steamer Woodford for Nashville, Tennessee; remaining there until March 1st, and returned to Fort Sevier. They left there on the 6th of March, 1862 onboard the steamers Lady Pike & Commercial and arrived at Savannah, Tennessee; on 12 March. The Ninth remained there until 18 March, to make camp at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee; on 19 March; being one of the first regiments at there, they were encamped close to the village. By this time, the Ninth under Mersy was well known as one of the ‘most perfectly drilled regiments then in the field and well disciplined in addition’. On April 4th, the Ninth traded in their grey uniforms for new blue uniforms. As chance would have it, Colonel Mersy decided to call the men out for inspection, as the Confederate Army attacked Pittsburgh Landing, starting the Battle of Shiloh, on the morning of the 6th of April. The strength of the regiment stood at 578 battle ready men. By 8:30 AM, the men of the Ninth were equipped, and battle ready as they had formed their lines, and waited for the Confederates to arrive. However, they were ordered to the front lines, near the SavannahHamburg Road. As they formed up in columns of four, with their thirty man band playing “The Joy Bird”, the Ninth marched towards the fight, as they were greeted by numerous deserters running away, nearly fifty took the invitation and joined the Ninth as they marched into the hell that laid before them. The regiment moved into position onto the battle line, as they passed the “Bloody Pond“, and into a ravine holding the left wing of Hurlbut‘s Corps, which was east of the heavily involved at the “Peach Orchard”, along the Hamburg Road. They established their line with McArthur’s Brigade, and held the left flank of the Union line, at about 10 AM. In the Brigade, the 9th held the center, with the 12th Illinois on the left and the 41st Illinois holding the right flank. The Surgeon for the Ninth (Emil Gulich of Alton, Illinois), established his field hospital near the “Bloody Pond”. The Ninth held their lines for three hours, against relative light opposition, until the Confederates elected to come at them in force. They held the ground, that the Confederate forces needed to take to get around the “Hornet’s Nest” for a direct route to their objective of the village of Pittsburgh Landing. 3 In the first wave, around 2 PM, the 12th Illinois abandoned the ravine (due to the ravines poor protection and increasing casualty rate) and pulled back onto the ridge behind them, as infantry and artillery hit their position. One poor soldier of the Ninth, was hit with an artillery round, which blew out three or four ribs, exposing his still beating heart, he died within minutes (the author believes this soldiers name to be Private Christian Schenck of Company C, as the Illinois muster and descriptive rolls, states that he was “Killed at Shiloh 6 April 1862, By a shell“). The Confederate Infantry (20th Tennessee) thrust forward, and flanked them on their left. The results were horrific, as the Ninth didn’t realize that the 12th Illinois fell back. As they were engaged to the front, the flanking soldiers opened a murderous volley into the ravine, right down the color line. They fell back in pure chaos, that was unleashed upon them. However, as they exited the ravine, they reformed 300 yards away and unleashed a destructive volley onto the oncoming Southern troops. The Rebels fell back, briefly before resuming their frontal attack, which pushed the Ninth & McArthur’s Brigade back another 500 yards to the North. The Ninth settled into for another wave of Southern soldiers, when General W.H.L. Wallace ordered them to the rear to replenish, by about 3 PM. During the assault, the Confederate Soldiers captured the Field Hospital and all of the wounded there. The stubborn resistance put forth by the 9th Illinois Infantry Regiment, was noteworthy to say the least, and it is
3 Sgt. Ferdinand Hinckley, Company K, Belleville, Illinois; Age: 22; Wounded in Action 6 April 1862. Discharged for wounds received: 2 September 1862. Photo: Pintrest suspected, but will never be known that a soldier belonging to the Ninth fired the minie ball that mortally wounded General A.S. Johnson. The resistance was as such, before General Sidney Johnson fell, he was rallying his troops for a full frontal bayonet charge on their location. During the lull for the Ninth, the wounded Colonel Mersy looked at his wounded men and muttered “Vel, vel; dis is all dat is left of my little Nint!”4 Those that could, marched west to reinforce McClernand’s Division (and the 43rd Illinois) in the Jones Field; to absorb another wave of oncoming Rebel soldiers, around 4 PM. By 4:30 PM, the men of the Ninth were pulled back to Grant’s Final Defensive line, that surrounded Pittsburg Landing. They were positioned south of Chambers Field, between the 2nd Iowa and 81st Ohio, near the camp of the 25th Indiana and the 14th Iowa. The vast majority of the men that fell in the Ninth during the two day battle, fell in near the Peach Orchard. Initial causality figures for their action at the Peach Orchard were 305 wounded and 42 either killed or mortally wounded. At the end of the first day of the battle the Ninth only had 4 officers and 70 men ready for duty. They received 61 KIA & 287 men wounded, while suffering a 63% casualty rating, thus earning the moniker “The Bloody Ninth“. Of those fifty men the soldiers convinced to join the Ninth, nearly all of them paid the ultimate sacrifice near the Peach Orchard. Colonel Mersy was shot in the leg, but his wounds weren’t severe. Lt. Colonel Jesse Phillips, was shot in the leg and hand. Captain W.C. Kueffner was shot in the head while directing his troops in the ravine, and Captain D.F. Tiedemann is credited with saving his life. Captain Emil Adam, was shot and severely wounded in the neck. Many of the wounded subsequently died due to their mortal wounds. The Ninth sadly, lead the Illinois regiments with 366 killed or wounded, at the Battle of Shiloh; which was followed by the 58th Illinois Infantry with 290. It was noted by several, that the 9th Illinois Infantry had distinguished themselves on the field of battle.
Due to their mauling the Ninth wasn’t part of the action on the second day of the battle, as they remained as part of the rear guard. One soldier’s story must be told, and that is of James Getty of Warren County, Illinois; he was 57 when he enlisted in 1861, into Company F. At the Battle of Fort Donelson, he disobeyed a direct order when told to lay down by his Lieutenant Williford, by telling the officer “I reckon I know my business.” He defiantly stood “loaded his gun, and fired as deliberately as if he’d been shooting at a target for a wager”. He was seen tumbling over, and the Lieutenant figured he’d been killed, but Private Getty bounced back up, only been slightly wounded in the shoulder. A short time later he was shot again, but the bullet struck his pocket book which had some silver in it, destroying a silver half dollar. After the battle, he only had a few buckshot removed from him. At the Battle of Shiloh, he ran out of ammunition, he fell back to retrieve some more and was separated from the regiment. Upon his return to the regiment on the first evening of the battle, he presented several certificates from several Captains and one Colonel, proving that he spent the day away from the Ninth fighting and not straggling. On the second day of fighting at Shiloh, he volunteered to continue the fight (even know the Ninth was out of it), and was shot in the head. Private Getty, recovered from these wounds, but was discharged because of them, at Corinth on 11 July 1862. The Ninth however remained at Pittsburgh Landing until April 29th, being exposed from the offensive odor rising from the shallow graves of men and animals. Disease became a major problem for those remaining at the battlefield; a great many men contracted diarrhea and typhoid fever. Disease only grew worse once they began their slow movement towards Corinth, as the water was unfit for consumption. The men of the Ninth were ready to strike back at the Confederate Army, but General Halleck was very cautious in how he ordered the town of Corinth, Mississippi; to be taken. The Army traveled 30 miles took over a month, and after waiting 22 days before moving, in pursuit of an escaping enemy. An extensive amount of defensive earthworks were constructed which allowed the Confederate Army to evacuate the town. When
4 Photo: Private William D. Nevins, Age 21, from Ohio Grove, Mercer County, IL, Killed in Action: 6 April 1862 www.shilohdiscussiongroup.com the Union Army was ready to attack, they found that Confederate Army had already left, with nearly everything they needed and nothing was left behind. The Ninth would remain at Corinth until August 16, 1862, when they were moved to Rienzi, Mississippi for outpost duty, an assignment personally loathed by Colonel Mersy. The 9th Illinois was ordered back to Corinth on 1 October 1862, and back into their campground, until the Confederates attacked the fortified Mississippi town on October 3, 1862. The Ninth was positioned along the outer line of defenses, to the northwest of Corinth under the command of Brigadier General James B. McPherson (commanding the Army of the Tennessee, in place of Major General Ulysses S. Grant, who was in Jackson, Tennessee), Second Division, which was commanded by General Thomas A. Davies; 2nd Brigade under the command of General Richard J. Oglesby (future Governor of Illinois); along with the 12th Illinois, 22nd Ohio & 81st Ohio. Prior to the Confederate attack, General Rosecrans advanced his troops to the old Confederate rifle pits outside of town, which proved folly as they were overrun and were forced to fall back to the Corinth defenses, by the end of the first day. The 81st Ohio, holding the line to the left of the 9th Illinois, fell back in confusion, to which the Rebel soldiers took quick advantage of and proceeded to attack the Ninth from their front and rear. The Ninth found themselves in a nasty situation of being outnumbered and lacking effective fortifications. Many men of the Ninth were killed, wounded and captured, at this juncture, before the Confederate soldiers were checked and a retreat was given. The “Bloody Ninth” fell back into a new line formed near the “White House”. During the night, the Union army fell back to a new line. The second days of fighting, on October 4; the Ninth held their own against the Confederate onslaught, as columns of Rebel soldiers were often repulsed, in attempts to capture Battery Robinett. The Confederate Army struggled until 10 AM, until their lines were broken, and they retreated in confusion and disorder. The statistics for the Ninth after this engagement showed another 20 killed, 82 wounded and 57 captured as prisoners of war. Captain William Kueffner, was wounded for the third time, this time shot in the chest which severely damaged his lung. Colonel Mersy was also wounded for the third time, taking a minie ball to the leg. This would be the last major action the 9th Illinois Infantry would see, in their current form. The 9th Illinois, split into two wings, on 8 October 1862; with Colonel Mersy taking Companies F, G, H, I & K; to outpost duty at Rienzi and Lt. Colonel Philips taking Companies A, B, C, D & E towards Danville, Mississippi. The Ninth was reunited on 28 November 1862; upon their return to Corinth. With the exception of duty in Tupelo between 1219 December 1862; the Ninth remained in Corinth, with only fighting Confederate guerrilla’s and guard duty to occupy their time, until March 1863. It was during this time, Colonel Mersy took command of the Ninth’s Brigade, leaving Lt. Colonel Jesse Phillips in command of the 9th Illinois. The Army was looking to have a larger mounted force and it was proposed to mount Infantry Regiments for scouting purposes. The idea intrigued Lt. Colonel Phillips and he made application on behalf of the 9th Illinois. After being told that horses were in short supply, and the Mounted Infantry Regiments would receive mules, Colonel Phillips replied “that he would prefer the mules, as they would endure more hard usage and require less care”. The 9th Illinois was ordered to be mounted and assigned to Cavalry forces, by the authority of General Grenville M. Dodge, on 15 March 1863. They were mounted on mules by 20 March 1863 and by mid April, they were pressed into service as scouts throughout northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. In one of their first cavalry operations, the “Bloody Ninth” of Illinois; found themselves in a definite pickle near Chattanooga, as Company D was captured, on 17 April 1863. The regiment suffered 5 wounded and 59 captured; during the skirmish at Lundy’s Lane, Alabama. The Ninth reengaged the enemy near their previous position on 19 April; and within fifteen minutes of skirmishing, they had driven the enemy off their position. On 24 April, while chasing a band of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry, a brief confrontation was had on opposite sides of the Tennessee River. The two guns of Tamrath’s Battery (which accompanied the 9th Mounted Infantry) opened fire on the retreating Confederates, and the shells sailed into the town of Florence, Alabama. The Mayor of the town approached the Union forces, under a white flag of truce, onboard a hastily built raft, and offered a formal surrender. Lt. Colonel Phillips accepted the surrender, entered the city only to clear it of any Confederate soldiers and supplies, to which none was found; and the Union force evacuated towards Tuscumbia. The Ninth engaged in five actions against the enemy in eighteen days, and was back in Corinth by 5 May 1863; achieving their objectives of diverting attention away from a raid into Georgia by Colonel Streight. Leaving Corinth on May 26, the 9th Illinois moved towards the Hamburg Landing, & by the afternoon of the 27th they were moved steadily towards Florence. On the 28th of May, Confederate artillery opened fire on the Ninth, with great accuracy. The accompanying artillery was soon set up, and quickly silenced the Rebel guns. The Ninth dismounted and thrust forward the town of Florence, and the Confederates didn’t put up much of a fight, as the town soon fell back into the hands of the Union Army. They searched the town and destroyed any and all stores valuable to the enemy; before leaving the town. As they left the town, in a westerly route, they destroyed three cotton mills and two large wool mills. On the morning of the 31st the enemy appeared to the rear of the Ninth, a skirmish ensued, but when offered battle the Confederates hastily retreated. By that evening, the Ninth was back in the relative safety of Corinth, and the raid captured 64 prisoners, freed over 200 negro slaves, captured a large number of mules and horses and destroyed about three million dollars worth of factory equipment. The next raid out of Corinth was undertaken between 814 June 1863; which captured 25 soldiers, 50 contrabands (slaves) and a hundred horses or mules, while marching over one hundred miles. While on the next raid, the Ninth was accompanied with the 5th Ohio Cavalry, 18th Missouri Mounted Infantry; for a combined force of 630 men. On the morning of June 20th; while crossing the Mud Creek, in northern Alabama; they were attacked by a Confederate force of 3,000; under the command of General Daniel Ruggles. The Ninth dismounted and deployed as skirmishers; and along with the 5th Ohio Cavalry; kept the Confederates in check, until a hasty retreat could be made across the Tallahatchie River at Rocky Ford. The 9th Illinois suffered five killed and 18 wounded. On the 12th of July, the regiment moved out of Corinth, to the northwest in pursuit of General Nathan Bedford Forrest; who was in Tennessee, near Jackson, Tennessee. The Ninth was dismounted and formed a skirmish line. They dislodged the enemy from their fortifications and then stormed the now abandoned defensive position, but was met by oncoming Rebel cavalry charging them. The Ninth was quickly formed in line, facing the charging cavalry, and “went into them with a fierceness that they could not long stand”. In fifteen minutes, the field belonged to the 9th Illinois. They captured about 70 (30 were later paroled), with about 200 enemy killed, to the Ninth’s losses of one killed and six wounded. The regiment returned to camp in Pocahontas, Tennessee, on the 15th of July. For the rest of July and August 1863, the Ninth operated out of Pocahontas, Tennessee; and freed many slaves, captured many Confederate supplies, captured many trains moving Confederate war materials and many prisoners. Many changes were made during the course of August & September. On August 3rd, one hundred and five deserters mostly from the 128th Illinois Infantry were assigned to the 9th Illinois; they arrived reported for duty on 6 August; and were distributed throughout the companies of the 9th to equalize their strength. Most found the 9th Illinois more desirable than the 128th Illinois, as only two bothered to desert again. Other changes were made, when some officers were transferred to the Invalid Corps (most notably being Captain William Kueffner), the addition of a few officers and promotions. Throughout September and October; with Sherman’s Army pressing forward towards Chattanooga, the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry remained fairly idle in Pocahontas, Tennessee; only performing limited scouting duties. With the changing of the seasons, the soldiers built comfortable quarters, some built with fireplaces and chimney’s. On 8 October, the Ninth entered a skirmish with 400 men, against a force well over 3,000 Confederates near Salem, Tennessee. Engaging in battle for three hours, the Ninth fell back due to lack of ammunition. The fight cost the Ninth, five killed in action and twenty wounded. The Ninth was ordered out of Pocahontas on 30 October 1863; and rode south towards Corinth, reaching there the next day. They remained there until 3 November, when they escorted a train to Iuka, Mississippi; arriving on 4 November. By order of General Dodge, Lt. Colonel Phillips (along with the whole of the 2nd Division, XVI Corps) left the train at Eastport, Mississippi; and was ferried across the Tennessee River. They then went on a foraging mission to collect as many horses, mules, sheep and cattle as possible. On November 11, the Ninth was dispatched south from Pulaski, Tennessee; to establish a post in Athens, Alabama; and they entered the town on November 13th. The Ninth Illinois would operate out of Athens until March 1864. January 25th, 1864; Lt. Colonel Phillips left Companies A, E & G; in Athens on picket duty, provost guard duty, and one company having a “rope yarn Sunday”; news of this weakness reached Confederate ears quickly, and on the morning of January 26th; Confederate Colonel Moses W. Hannon (1st Alabama Cavalry CSA) with a force of 600 men attacked the Union Post in Athens, under the overall command of Captain Emil Adam, and approximately 75 men. The Rebels quickly took possession of the 9th Illinois camp, which was plundered of any goods and valuables. The Rebels also placed two pieces of artillery in position and began shelling the town. Captain Adam, brought together his three companies; and offered battle to the Confederates. After forty minutes of “smart skirmishing” the enemy retreated out of the town, the camp and back across the river. The 9th Illinois suffered a total of 20 killed or wounded in the engagement. The Ninth left Athens, Alabama; for Decatur, Alabama; on the 11th of March & arriving on March 12, 1864. They remained operating out of Decatur, until early May 1864; when they were ordered to escort ambulance and wagon trains from Huntsville, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. In April 1864; only forty original men reenlisted with the men of the former 128th Illinois; the 9th Illinois stood at a total of 150 men in seven companies. Lt. Colonel Phillips requested no additional men, and reformed the regiment as the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry (Consolidated). Once at Chattanooga, the Ninth was ordered to the front were it rejoined their Corps and Colonel Mersy, they saw some hard fighting at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge (May 713) which was a sharp fight and the Ninth lost many men. At the Battle of Resaca they were ordered to scout the best route to the Western & Atlantic Railroad, personally by General William T. Sherman as they were the only available Cavalry unit. The Battle of Dallas (May 1925). The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (June 27); which required the Ninth to dismount and stage demonstrations from the foot of the mountain. The Battle of Atlanta (July 22), they were held as a reserve force, but a Confederate attack ran into them, and they successfully repulsed the Rebels, with General Dodge personally leading the counterattack, this action also saw the wounding of Colonel Mersy in a violent Rebel volley of fire, the action had also killed his beloved horse “Billy”. The wounding of Mersy caused his eventual retirement back to Belleville, as he was mustered out of military service on the 20th of August; at the expiration of his three year term. They then participated in the Siege of Atlanta (July 22 August 25). On 31 August 1864; Lt. Colonel Phillips resigned his commission and returned home, he was superseded in command by Lt. Colonel Samuel T. Hughes. The Ninth continued in heavy fighting with the Battle of Jonesborough (August 31September 1). Action at Lovejoy’s Station (September 26). Operations against Hood in Northern Georgia and Northern Alabama (September 29 November 3). Detached from the XVI Corps and sent to the XVII Corps (unassigned) join the Savannah Campaign (November 15 December 10). The Siege of Savannah (December 1021). The Carolina’s Campaign (JanuaryApril 1865). During the Carolina’s Campaign, the Ninth engaged in skirmishes at Whippy Swamp Creek (February 1), Salkehatchie Creek (February 25), Columbia (February 1517), and Florence (March 46) all in South Carolina. Moving into North Carolina: Fayetteville (March 11), South River (March 15), the Battle of Averasborough (March 16), Battle of Bentonville (March 1921). The Ninth continued to march north for the Occupation of Goldsboro (March 24). After a brief rest, they joined in the Advance on Raleigh (April 913), Battle of Morrisville (April 13), skirmished at Chapel Hill (April 15), and were present for the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston at the Bennett House (April 26). The final entry of their distinguished service was their participation in the Grand Review in Washington DC (May 24). Afterwards the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where they were mustered out of service on 9 July, 1865; after 110 engagements over four years of service. Colonel Mersy, Lt. Colonel Phillips and Captain (later Colonel of the 149th Illinois Infantry) William C. Kueffner, were recognized in March 1866 by President Andrew Johnson; by receiving Brevet promotions to Brigadier General. In a story, Captain Fred Dilg of Mascoutah recounted the youngest soldier in the 9th Illinois Infantry, that of Drummer Boy turned soldier George W. “Monkey” Rose; who was 11 when he enlisted in 1861. Rose was present for all 110 engagements; and he personally captured three prisoners during Sherman’s March. At a skirmish in Orangeburg, South Carolina; the Ninth was being flanked, Rose rode up to the Company Commander and yelled “Give it to them, they gave it to me!”, while showing the stubs of two fingers that had been shot off his left hand. He was ordered to the rear, which he disobeyed and kept his revolver pointing at the oncoming Confederates. Colonel Mersy, returned to Belleville and served as Justice of the Peace, until his passing. He never married, but was devoted to his men; treating them like gentlemen instead of soldiers. He had a distaste for military officers using their positions during the war, to further advance their political goals. He also had a disliking for the political machine & politicians in general, but counted Gustave Koerner one of his friends. Augustus Mersy was a competent & loyal soldier, who remained in the shadows during his life in America and continues to remain in the shadows. Only Captain Emil Adam remained in service of the U.S. Army, by accepting a commission in the U.S. Army after the war, as a 1st Lieutenant in the 5th U.S. Cavalry. He would see service against the American Indians in New Mexico and Arizona. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1895; as a Major and returned to Belleville. Upon returning to their homes, many joined the Grand Army of the Republic as Posts sprang up nationwide. St. Clair County had at least two in the late 1860‘s, Post 217 in Belleville and one in Mascoutah. They also formed the 9th Illinois Veterans Association; which held reunions and gathered when one of their own was laid to rest. Nearly every member of the 9th came together when their beloved leader Brevet Brigadier General Augustus Mersy was laid to rest in Belleville in 1868 after a bout with dropsy. Many of the veterans came together in the 1880’s to renew the lease on life to the Grand Army of the Republic. The veterans in leadership roles with the St. Clair County Grand Army of the Republic were dedicated in their causes (to include Brevet Brigadier General William C. Kueffner, Brevet Captain Frederick C. Dilg, Charles Scheve, Louis Fischer, Colonel Dietrich Tiedemann, Colonel Casimir Andel, Major Emil Adam, & William Schlott) The veterans of the 9th also came together in 1904 and purchased the monument at Walnut Hill Cemetery for Colonel Mersy, which was unveiled on Memorial Day 1905. 5
The Hecker Post #443 of Belleville, Illinois; worked closely with the 9th Illinois Veterans Association, and hosted many of their reunions namely the 25th & 26th Anniversaries of the Battle of Corinth & the 50th Anniversary of the first enlistments into the “Old Ninth”.
From St. Clair County 407 would enlisted into the 3 Months Regiment Belleville Recruited 259 (4 Companies) A Mersy, B Beckier, D Hawes Mascoutah Recruited 90 (1 Company) E Koellen Lebanon Recruited 58 (1 Company) C Tiedemann 4 Died of Disease
From St. Clair County 341 would enlist into the 3 Years Regiment Belleville 108 Mud Creek Prairie (St. Libory) 4 Mascoutah 70 Smith’s Point (Smithton) 3 Lebanon 46 Freeburg 3 Fayetteville 40 New Athens 3 Centerville 34 Unspecified St. Clair County 2 O’Fallon 13 French Village 1 Summerfield 13 Shiloh 1
5 Photo: The Mersy Monument and Stone in 2013, at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville, IL. The monument was purchased by the 9th Illinois Veterans Association in 1904 & was dedicated on Memorial Day 1905. The grave stone was purchased by the Hecker Women’s Relief Corps Post #207, in 1895 22 KIA Battle of Shiloh 3 KIA Battle of Corinth 18 Died of Disease 2 Mortally Wounded, Fort Donelson 16 WIA Battle of Shiloh 2 WIA Battle of Corinth 15 Mortally Wounded, Battle of Shiloh 1 MIA Battle of Shiloh 10 KIA Battle of Fort Donelson 1 Mortally Wounded, Battle of Corinth 6 Deserted 1 WIA Battle of Fort Donelson 1 Died POW, Andersonville, GA
From St. Clair County 50 would reenlist into the Consolidated Regiment (with 9 recruits) Belleville 25 Fayetteville 4 Lebanon 9 Caseyville 2 Mascoutah 6 Freeburg 2 O’Fallon 5 Summerfield 1 Centerville 5
5 Deserted 2 Died, POW, Andersonville, GA 4 Prisoner of War, Andersonville, GA 2 Died, Unspecified
Commemorative Ribbon from the 50th Anniversary of the first enlistments into the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry From the Collection of Robert Mohrman Information From: “A History of The Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with the Regimental Roster” By: Marion Morrison 1864 John S. Clark, Printer © 1997 Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Press The History of Southern Illinois Chapter 26 www.memoriallibary.com Civil War Reference www.civilwarreference.com “Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue” By: Roger D. Hunt & Jack P. Brown Page: 194 © 1990 Olde Soldier Books Inc. Olde Soldier Books Inc. “Illinois at Shiloh Report of the Illinois Shiloh Battlefield Commission” By: Major George Mason & Stanley Waterloo © 1905 Illinois Shiloh Battlefield Commission M.A. Donohue & Co., Chicago, IL http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/isl7/id/3086/rec/6 “Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War” By: Larry J. Daniel © 1997, Larry J. Daniel Simon & Schuster; New York, NY Dyer’s Regimental Histories http://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/dyers/009inf.html Wikipedia Battle of Rocky Face Ridge Battle of Peach Tree Creek Siege of Corinth Battle of Atlanta Battle of Resaca Battle of Corinth Battle of Jonesboro Battle of Shiloh Carolina Campaign Savannah Campaign Atlanta Campaign Battle of Averasborough Battle of Bentonville FranklinNashville Campaign Historical Marker Database German Sons in the American Civil War Illinois State Archives (Illinois Civil War Muster & Descriptive Records) www.ilsos.gov St. Clair County Genealogical Society http://www.stclairilgs.org/stcw.htm Belleville Weekly Advocate May 16, 1862 June 6, 1884 October 7, 1887 October 12, 1887 August 31, 1888 September 21, 1888 September 28, 1888 October 4, 1889 April 10, 1891 October 14, 1892 March 24, 1893 August 2, 1895 September 23, 1898 Belleville Daily Advocate May 5, 1902 November 21, 1904 February 2, 1905 May 29, 1905 August 2, 1906 July 29, 1908 April 15, 1911 April 17, 1911 July 25, 1910 “Memoirs of Gustave Koerner: 18091896; Life Sketches written at the suggestion of his children” By: Gustave Koerner Edited By: Thomas J. McCormick © 1909; Mary K. Engelmann Torch Press; Cedar Rapids, Iowa http://archive.org/stream/memgustave02khorrich/memgustave02khorrich_djvu.txt “The Obscurity of August Mersy A German American in the Civil War” By: Earl J. Hess Illinois Historical Journal Vol. 79, pp 127138 Summer 1986 http://dig.lib.niu.edu/ISHS/ishs1986summer/ishs1986summer127.pdf
Revision: 4A 28 January, 2015 J. Stacy Historian, Col. F.K. Hecker Camp #443 (SUVCW)