Chronology of the

94^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Compiled by Van O. Furrh

The 94^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was composed entirely of residents of McLean County and was usually called the “McLean Regiment.” The regiment mustered in at 945 recruits, added 149 at later dates, so totaled 1,094. There were 11 men killed in battle, 45 wounded, 157 died of non-combat causes, and 164 were discharged prior to the final muster out. The small number of combat casualties is attributed to Colonel McNulta who took care his men were not unnecessarily exposed, to the efficient medical staff, and to extraordinarily good sanitary conditions in camp.

Late July – early August, 1862, regiment formed in Bloomington, IL

August 25, 1862, left Bloomington

August 29, St. Louis, MO

Benton, IL?

Army of the Frontier, commanded by General J.M. Schofield.

Attached to the 13^th Corps under General McClernand

September 10, 1862, Rolla MO

September 13, Springfield, MO

“Here six weeks were spent in the most assiduous company and battalion drills, the men being especially exercised in firing while lying down, and in the skirmish drill, in which they became remarkably proficient, and the results of which were very apparent when they came into action. The advantage of being able to deliver an accurate and rapid fire while lying down and almost entirely protected by the slightest irregularity of ground is obvious.” Adjutant General’s Report, Vol. 5, p. 406

September 16, 1862, Gasconada County, MO

September 18, Waynesville, MO

September 20, Lebanon, MO

September 20, “we arived in camp at fore oclock we was prettey well tired out we camped three miles from lebanon close by a mud hole that we had to drink water out of there was dead mules and hogs all a round the from that we had to drink out of it was hard medicen tha is sure” Tubal Wile Iseminger

October 9, 1862, Springfield, MO

December 3-6, 1862, forced march of 120 miles in 90 hours.

December 7, attacked Confederates under General Hindman at Prairie Grove near Fayetteville, Arkansas.

“Our troops numbered only about 4,000 [against 30,000] men, the Second Division not having come up, yet they boldly attacked the enemy and “hammered” him until evening, when General Blunt broke through the small force which Hindman had left in his front, and, attacking the enemy on the flank, turned the fortunes of the day in our favor. In this engagement the Ninety-fourth held the extreme left of our line, and covered the road to Fayetteville by which the Second Division was coming to our assistance. Had they once given way, as several parts of the line did, at different times, before assaults of the enemy, the latter would have siezed the road, cut off our reinforcements, and had us at his mercy. Here the drill at Springfield proved its value. Scattered in a long, irregular line, lying flat on their faces, taking advantage of every stump, fence and irregularity of ground, the Regiment maintained so destructive a fire that no troops could be brought against them without being cut to pieces, while our men were comparatively unharmed. Colonel McNulta contributed largely to this result by riding constantly up and down the lines, urging the men to “lie close and fire low,” utterly regardless of his own exposure. It was owing to this policy that our loss was so trifling – 1 killed and 26 wounded – compared with regiments at our side who were not so well handled. The enemy retreated during the night, finding the Second Division coming up, and left us in possession of the field.” Adjutant General’s Report, Vol. 5, p. 406-407

~December 21, Van Buren, MO or AR, on the Arkansas River

January 7, 1863, Huntsville, AR

January 12, Carrolton, AK

January 20, Forsythe, MO

February 18, 1863, Finley Creek, MO

March 9, 1863, Mountain Grove

March 21, Gladen Valley, MO

April 1, 1863, Lake Springs, MO

June 4, 1863, Rolla, MO

June 5, St. Louis

June 12, Youngs Point, LA

June 13, Warrenton, MS

June 14, near Vicksburg

[The regiment] “was stationed below [Vicksburg] on the left of our line, and assisted in all the siege operations terminating with the capture of that stronghold on the 4^th of July. Here, again, the indefatigable McNulta was constantly among the men in the trenches, rapping them on the head when they needlessly exposed themselves, and keeping so sharp a lookout that, although exposed alternate days for two weeks to a hot fire in the trenches, and their camp almost constantly under the range of the enemy’s shells, the Regiment only sustained a loss of 1 man killed and 5 wounded, showing how much a prudent and sagacious commander can do in preventing needless sacrifice of life.” Adjutant General’s Report, Vol. 5, p. 407

July 12, 1863, Expedition up the Yazoo to Chicasaw Landing, Yazoo City

July 22, Vicksburg

July 24, Warrenton, Port Gibson

July 27, Port Hudson?

August 13, 1863, to Carrolton, LA, near New Orleans

September 6, 1863, Port Hudson

September 8, Atchfayala River

September 18, 1863, Morganzia, LA, McNulta wounded and permanently disabled.

October 10, Carrolton, LA

October 25, left for the Rio Grande, along the coast, arriving on

November 5, 1863, Bagdad, TX

November 6, Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, Texas “The men spent nine of the most miserable months of their enlistment, the monotony only being relieved by an occasional revolution upon the Mexican side of the river at Matamoras, during one of which they were called on to spend a night upon the streets in that city guarding the American Consul.” Adjutant General’s Report, Vol. 5, p. 407

July 28, 1864, left Brownsville

August 6, 1864, Carrolton, LA

August 14, Baton Rouge, LA

August, siege of Fort Morgan ? along the coast or on a river

September 14, 1864, Baton Rouge

October 5, 1864, New Orleans

October 12, Mobile Point, AL

December 14, 1864, Fort Morgan, AL

December 15, Pascayoula, MS

December 19, Franklin Creek

December 28, Five Mile Creek

January 16, 1865, Pascayoula, MS

February 2, 1865, Fort Morgan, AL

March 14, Navy Cove, AL

March 17, 1865 to Spanish Fort, AL, Colonel McNulta still commanding the regiment during this siege.

March 18, St. Johns Bay

March 29, Spanish Fort, AL

April 8, 1865, assault on Spanish Fort

April 15, 1865, to Ship Island with prisoners.

April 18, back to Spanish Fort

May 8, 1865, camped south of Mobile, AL

June 18, 1865, Galveston, Texas

July 17, mustered out

July 21, leave Galveston, TX

New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, Cairo, Decatur, Camp Butler

August 9, discharged at Bloomington, IL

“The Ninety-fourth served just three years, marched 1,200 miles, traveled by railroad 610 miles and by steamer 6,000 miles, took part in nine battles, sieges and skirmishes, and not one retreat.” Adjutant General’s Report, Vol. 5, p. 407

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