Download 22nd Illinois - Colonel Friedrich K. Hecker Camp #443

22nd Illinois Infantry Regiment
“The Brawny Miners: Belleville’s Own”
By: Jon Stacy; Col. F.K. Hecker Camp #443, Camp Historian
In early 1861, when the Union war preparations were just beginning to ramp up,
many companies volunteered for service that exceeded the States’ initial requirement to
put down the Rebellion. With companies coming together to form regiments, the State
lacked places to properly train them, so many facilities were pressed into service, and in
St. Clair County, the County Fair Grounds was one such facility as it trained at least one
regiment during it’s time known as “Camp Koerner”.
In Belleville, a company of men was raised by Thomas K. Challenor, who was
born in England, before immigrating to the United States, living in Kaskaskia, Illinois;
until 1844. Challenor moved to Belleville, following a Mississippi River flood, and once
in Belleville he became employed as a constable and was elected as Sheriff of St. Clair
County in 1852, to 1854. After the enlistment of the 9th Illinois Infantry (3 months
service); Challenor’s Company moved into residence of the newly established Camp
Koerner, which was named after Belleville’s most influential politician, Gustave Koerner.
Shortly after Challenor’s Company arrived, they were joined by two companies of
recruits from Monroe County, with more on the way. It should be noted that the ethnic
make up of the regiment that was being formed was that of the greater make up of the
American society, with recruits hailing from Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland,
France, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. Challenor’s Company, enlisted many loyal
men from St. Louis, Missouri; as at the time, nobody knew how the State of Missouri
would swing in regards to North or South.
By 8 May 1861; three companies were present and accounted for, and Challenor
was elected Captain of the company he raised; when then Captain Ulysses S. Grant
arrived in Belleville, under orders from Illinois Governor Richard Yates; to observe the
State’s defenses and readiness. Grant was escorted to Camp Koerner, by Gustave
Koerner and met with Captain’s Challenor & Swanwick. Grant and Koerner had dinner
with the elected officers; before Grant departed for Camp Bissell in Caseyville, which
was located there as a measure to prevent any type of Confederate incursion from St.
Louis. (Contrary to the memoirs of President Grant, he did not muster in a regiment in
Belleville, and was openly refuted by Gustave Koerner in his memoirs.)
Two days later, on 10 May 1861; Gustave Koerner received advanced notice of a
very important military maneuver that was going to take place in St. Louis. Without
delay Koerner went to Camp Koerner and instructed Captain Henry Dougherty (from
Carlyle) who just arrived the previous day to have all men armed and ready for transport
by the next morning. Koerner offered no explanation but did arrange for a train for
transport ready at the Belleville depot by the next morning. Koerner’s pressing need was
heeded, and the recruits in Belleville were indeed ready, as Dougherty had guessed and
looked forward to an encounter, however their readiness was unnecessary for what
transpired - The Camp Jackson Affair. Gustave Koerner feared that the entire operation
could have had disastrous results and could have spilled into Illinois. Since the recruits
weren’t needed, they were officially organized into service as the 22nd Illinois Infantry.
Captain Dougherty was elected Colonel of the regiment; and Challenor’s Company
became Company K. Company K adopted the moniker of “The Brawny Miners”, but
history simply remembers the company as “Belleville’s Own”, or “The Belleville
Company”.
The new regiment continued to train until 25 June 1861; when they were
mustered into service by Army Captain T.G. Pitcher; at Camp McClellan in Caseyville.
However, prior to their departure from Belleville, Colonel Dougherty led the men of the
22nd from Camp Koerner the short distance to the Public Square in Belleville; were they
were sent off to war by the finest citizens Belleville had to offer. During the small
ceremony Gustave Koerner personally presented Colonel Dougherty the regimental flag
of the 22nd Illinois, that was made by the Ladies of Belleville, before he gave the men a
short speech. The men were outfitted in the Grey uniform of the Illinois militia; and were
equipped with a .69 caliber converted flintlock musket that fired buck & ball.
Once in service, the 22nd was sent to Bird’s Point, Missouri; arriving on 11 July
1861; a position directly south of Cairo, Illinois; on the Mississippi River. Here at Bird’s
Point, the 22nd maintained a garrison and helped quell local secession activities. They
were undoubtedly in the area, but did not participate in the Battle of Bird’s Point, on 11
August 1861; as it was fought between cavalry forces.
During the night of 19 August 1861; Colonel Dougherty led the 22nd Illinois
(Companies A,B,C,D & E; leaving Companies F, I & K behind on guard duty) on a
successful attack against Confederate forces under the command of Colonel Hunter, in
Charleston, Missouri. They captured many prisoners and horses; but suffered 1 killed
and eleven wounded. Colonel Dougherty himself received a broken shoulder after taking
a butt of a musket. Captain Samuel Johnson of Company A, from Carlyle was shot
through the leg.
Being assigned to Grant’s Expedition (led by now Brigadier General U.S. Grant)
in November 1861; they were brigaded with the 7th Iowa Infantry; led by Dougherty and
transported by river boat to just north of the Mississippi River community of Belmont,
Missouri; which laid directly west of Columbus, Kentucky. In Belmont, the Confederates
maintained a small garrison known as Camp Johnson; which was protected by long range
heavy artillery from Columbus, Kentucky.
The initial advance from the landing into Belmont, the 22nd held the left flank,
with the 7th Iowa to their right. However, General Grant switched his men around before
the main assault reached Camp Johnson; this put the 22nd in the center of the right flank,
with the 7th Iowa to their left and the 27th Illinois Infantry (from west central Illinois) on
their right. The entire expedition was filled with “green” men and many were facing
enemy forces for the first time. Before the advance Captain John Seaton (Company B,
from Alton) was reported to say: “If I should show the white feather, shoot me dead in
my tracks and my family will feel that I died for my country”. The 22nd led the charge in
the main assault on Camp Johnson was met with devastating artillery fire as Confederate
troops came at them from the rear. As Grant’s Expedition “Cut their way out”, the 22nd
Illinois suffered greatly with 23 killed, 74 wounded and 37 missing.
Many of the
wounded were taken prisoner, including Captain Challenor (who the Belleville
newspapers reported as killed, until he was exchanged and sent home to recuperate from
his wounds), who was shot in the leg and beat with a butt of a musket. Colonel
Dougherty lost a leg in the engagement (he never commanded the regiment again,
however on paper he remained in command until 1863). Many here on the home front in
Belleville, looked upon the Expedition as “pointless” and laid blame squarely on Grant’s
shoulders for the loss of the battle and doing so without orders.
Afterwards, the 22nd returned to Bird’s Point to lick their collective wounds.
Lieutenant Colonel Harrison E. Hart (of Alton) took command of the regiment in
Dougherty‘s absence, but he was never mustered in as the regiment‘s Colonel. The 22nd
was back in action by 14 January 1862 during a reconnaissance mission behind
Confederate lines near Columbus, Kentucky. Brevet Major Swanwick was mustered into
service as a Major on 8 February 1862.
Afterwards, the 22nd was moved south near New Madrid, Missouri; in preparation
of the Union objective of capturing Island Number Ten; sometime in February 1862.
They were assigned to the “Army of the Mississippi” under Major General John Pope; 4th
Division under Brigadier General Eleazar A. Paine (former Commanding Officer of the
9th Illinois; who was intensely disliked and was gaining a reputation of harshness &
cruelty towards civilians) and brigaded with the 51st Illinois Infantry (from Chicago)
under the command of Colonel Gilbert W. Cumming. They took part in the Battle of
New Madrid; which the Union Army in Missouri faced off against Confederate General
M. Jeff Thompson and only captured two artillery pieces and a few prisoners, between
2-13 March 1862. They made contact with Thompson near Sikeston, Missouri; and
engaged in a running fight, as they drove him into his fortifications at New Madrid.
Afterwards, they were shifted into Tennessee; and took part in the Tiptonville Expedition
which intercepted retreating Confederate troops from Island Number Ten. Union forces
captured over 4,000 prisoners (which included two Generals) and large number of stores,
ammunition, arms and artillery.
From there, the 22nd Illinois was sent to reinforce the main Union Army following
the Battle of Shiloh, and advanced under the overall command of General Henry W.
Hallack; towards Corinth, Mississippi. Remaining under Major General John Pope’s
Army of the Mississippi; in the 1st Division under Brigadier General E.A. Paine; and
brigaded with the 27th Illinois, 42nd Illinois (from Chicago) & 51st Illinois; along with
Houghtaling’s Battery, under the command of Brigadier General John M. Palmer.
Between 3-9 May 1862; they were in the vicinity of Farmington, Mississippi; and had
several skirmishes and was involved in the Battle of Farmington; before they were
directed into the Siege of Corinth. On the last day of the Siege; Captain Samuel Johnson
was shot through the head, and survived to tell the tale.
The 22nd remained in Corinth; guarding the Memphis & Charleston Railroad until
25 August 1862; before being transferred to Nashville, Tennessee. During this time,
Lieutenant Colonel Hart, died of disease at his residence in Alton, Illinois; on 25 July
1862; leaving Major Swanwick in command of the regiment; and he was promoted to
Lieutenant Colonel on 4 August 1862.
Being assigned to Buell’s Army of the Ohio; the 22nd arrived in Nashville,
Tennessee on 11 September 1862; they weren’t called upon to reinforce Buell’s Army
during the Battle of Perryville, and remained in Nashville. It wasn’t until General
William Rosecrans succeeded Buell as commander of that Army was the 22nd actually
absorbed into the Army of the Ohio. They were assigned in the Army of the Cumberland
under Major General Rosecrans; assigned to the Right Wing (XX Corps) under Major
General Alexander M. McCook; Third Division with Brigadier General Philip H.
Sheridan in command; and in the 3rd Brigade under Colonel George W. Roberts/Colonel
Luther P. Bradley along with the 27th Illinois, 42nd Illinois and 51st Illinois.
With Confederate General Braxton Bragg occupying Murphysboro, Tennessee;
Rosecrans advanced his troops out of Nashville. The 22nd advanced on the Wincester
Pike; and by 0900 hours the 22nd took a position on the left of the Pike with the 42nd
Illinois on the right side of the Pike, and skirmished to throw the enemy back.
Houghtaling’s Battery was deployed on the high ground, and the 22nd & 42nd pulled back
and to the left of the battery. They continued to skirmish for the rest of the day of 30
December 1862.
Some soldiers of Company E, were captured while on picket during the night of
30/31 December 1862; which drew the ire and harsh language from General Sheridan
once he learned of it in the morning. Regardless, the 22nd made arms at daylight, and
formed a battle line. Sheridan held the left flank on McCook’s Wing to the right of
Thomas’ right wing. The 22nd, 42nd & 51st Illinois charged enemy lines at 0830 hours on
31 December; with the 22nd in the rear of the column. As the Brigade move forward,
Houghtaling’s Battery was moved forward, and the 22nd was pulled back along with the
42nd to provide protection for the artillery, as they faced south. Shortly afterwards, they
were in a fight with a far superior force, as Confederate General Jones F. Withers’ center
and they repulsed three separate charges. By 1045 hours, ammunition was nearly
exhausted, and being flanked on both sides as the Union lines cart wheeled back along
Sheridan‘s lines. The area became known as the “Slaughter Pen” as Sheridan’s men
slowed the Confederate onslaught, they were ordered to fall back by 1100 hours, leaving
the battery on the field, with no ammunition and it’s horses killed. In the hasty retreat,
they were forced to leave their dead and wounded lay were they fell. The Confederates
were firing grape, shell and bullets, as thick as hail; and retreat became nearly impossible.
The retreat was stated as a “perfect mass of confusion” as they regrouped at the Nashville
Pike, and quickly took defensive positions to cover the evacuation of the 27th and 51st
Illinois. The Brigade stacked its arms at 1300 hours; as they were out of the fight for the
remainder of the day. It was reported by some soldiers during the “skedaddle” that they
ran towards Nashville, some never returned showing the “White Feather”. Of those left
to be captured was Lieutenant Colonel Swanwick, who was forced marched to
Murphysboro; before being transferred to Libby Prison in Atlanta, Georgia.
By the morning of 1 January 1863; Major Samuel Johnson took unofficial
command of the regiment; and had his men armed, as they built breastworks expecting an
attack at first light. The enemy appeared from the opposite direction, and the 22nd Illinois
skirmished on the same position until 4 January 1863. The 22nd lost one wagon, six sets
of harnesses, two horses and five mules; and they didn’t earn the highest praise during the
Battle of Stones River, but were recognized. The official reports show the 22nd losses at
25 killed and 88 wounded (approximately 20% of it‘s manpower); although unofficial
reports show 21 killed, 116 wounded, and 56 missing. General Rosecrans claimed it was
Sheridan’s Division that saved the Army from a rout, and Sheridan credited Robert’s
Brigade that saved his division. The 22nd’s loss was greater than any other regiment in
the fight.
As Rosecrans carefully prepared for his next move, the Army of the Cumberland
sat idle and trained. During this time, the men reportedly enjoyed the finer things that the
Army could offer them, such as good tents with a stove; however the food was standard
biscuits, bacon with molassas and coffee. A few noteworthy transactions also happened;
Lieutenant Colonel Swanwick was exchanged in May 1863; and he returned to the 22nd
Illinois, along with being mustered in as a Lieutenant Colonel on 27 May 1863. The
soldiers were told (and reported to the Belleville Advocate) that Colonel Henry Dougherty
was ordered back to the regiment, but was officially honorably discharged for the wounds
he received at Belmont, on 7 May 1863. Captain Thomas K. Challenor was able to return
to duty and was promoted to the rank of Major; and transferred to the staff of General
Alvan C. Gillem, here Challenor served in eastern Tennessee and western Virginia; until
the end of the war.
During the Tullahoma Campaign, the 22nd Illinois took part in the Battle of
Liberty Gap, Tennessee; but took no casualties. Afterwards, they advanced well south
crossing the Tennessee River on 29 August 1863; and by 11 September 1863; they were
with McCook’s XX Corps located near Alpine, Georgia; before they marched north for
Chattanooga.
Being on scene for the beginning of the Battle of Chickamauga; they were on the
extreme right wing of Rosecrans’ line; but weren’t called into action until the late
afternoon of 19 September 1863. At about 1700 hours, Colonel Bradley had his Brigade
lined up , to attack Viniard Field; the 22nd had formed with the 27th Illinois on their right,
unfortunately they had disturbed a yellow jacket nest, and were under attack from them.
The 22nd were observed breaking ranks, swatting the yellow jackets and being stung
repeatedly. Once the word was given to advance, the men of the 22nd quickly forgot
about the yellow jackets, as they swept across the field and pushing back Robertson’s
Texans, but the setting sun silhouetted them, which made them easy targets for Benning’s
Georgians, and they were decimated. Colonel Luther Bradley mused “They didn’t mind
being shot, but wouldn’t stand being stung by hornets.” The 22nd lost 95 men in ten
minutes, before being ordered back, and the men staggered off the field of battle, after
being replaced by the 51st Illinois. Major Johnson was severely wounded & Captain
Milton A. French (of Company I, from Sparta) was mortally wounded, and died as a
prisoner of war.
The next day, the survivors had regrouped to counter an attack by Confederate
Brigadier General Arthur M. Manigault’s Brigade, in Widow Glenn’s Field, but by 1100
hours, Longstreet had began assaulting Sheridan’s position in the field. They were
pushed back towards Missionary Ridge & to the northwest by evening. Sheridan was
then ordered to reinforce General Thomas at Horseshoe Ridge. The 22nd Illinois
completed the day with only incurring about 40 additional casualties before falling back
to Chattanooga. While under siege in Chattanooga, they suffered along with the rest of
Rosecrans’ Army.
With General Grant arriving in Chattanooga, and General George Thomas taking
command of Rosecrans’ Army; the men of the 22nd were ready to do their job when the
offensive began. Following Sheridan’s lead, they attacked Missionary Ridge, along
Moore Road & Colonel Randall L. Gibson’s position. They achieved their goals and
continued up the ridge, in pursuit of the retreating Confederates, as Sheridan pressed the
pursuit. The 22nd suffered 30 casualties in the assault on the ridge.
With a restructuring of the Army of the Cumberland, the 22nd found themselves in
the IV Corps under Major General Gordon Granger, which found the 22nd in a state of
despair (for a regiment in the Union Army) as they were without tents and many soldier
was without shoes. After Bragg had been pushed back into Georgia; the IV Corps was
detached from Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland; to accompany General Sherman to
relieve General Burnside in Knoxville. Once Sherman returned to Chattanooga, he left
the IV Corps in Knoxville. They left Knoxville in January 1864 and wintered in Loudon,
Tennessee until 6 March 1864; when they received their first full rations since leaving
Bridgeport, Tennessee. The 22nd Illinois built log huts and lived in relative comfort for
several weeks. From there, they marched to Cleveland, Tennessee; and eventually joined
the Atlanta Campaign.
During the Atlanta Campaign, they were assigned to the Army of the Cumberland,
under General Thomas; IV Corps under Major General Oliver O. Howard, Second
Division under Brigadier General John Newton; Third Brigade under Brigadier General
Charles G. Harker; along with the 27th Illinois, 42nd Illinois, 51st Illinois, 79th Illinois, 3rd
Kentucky, 64th Ohio, 65th Ohio & 125th Ohio. During the campaign to take Atlanta; they
were involved in the Battle of Resaca (13-15 May 1864), sustaining 20 men killed or
wounded. The Battle of Adairsville on 17 May 1864; and the Battle of New Hope
Church (25 May -1 June 1864); they were under fire for eleven straight days and nights.
This would be the last chapter of the 22nd Illinois Infantry Regiment, in the U.S.
Civil War; as on 10 June 1864; the recruits and veterans (who re-enlisted) were
consolidated with the 42nd Illinois, and the rest were ordered to Springfield, Illinois.
Once there, the war torn regiment, that suffered early and often during their three years
service, were mustered out of service on 7 July 1864; .
Lieutenant Colonel Swanwick; would enlist as a Private in the 154th Illinois
Infantry; and was elected Captain of Company C; and soon appointed Major and then
Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. The 154th Illinois Infantry served only as rear area
guards, in Tennessee. He was commissioned as the regiments Colonel, but never
mustered in as such. Having twice doing the duties of a “Full Bird” Colonel, but not
receiving official recognition. After the war, he moved to Kansas; passing away in 1883.
When a Grand Army of the Republic Post (Post 212) was established in Chester, Illinois;
the adopted the Swanwick name for their post, to honor their former citizen and unsung
leader of the 22nd Illinois.
After the War, reunions were few and far in between for the 22nd Illinois. In
October 1879; Major Samuel Johnson came to Belleville for the Veteran’s Reunion.
The first formal reunion was held in Belleville at the St. Clair County
Fairgrounds, their first Campground when it was known as Camp Koerner. Mrs. Virginia
Dougherty the widow of Colonel Henry Dougherty, was in attendance and requested a
private meeting with Gustave Koerner. Koerner met with her, and they discussed the
Battle of Belmont, in which she had nothing nice to say about “Grant’s Folly”.
In November 1893; the Hecker Post #443 hosted the “Belmont Veterans
Association” or “Belmonters” as they were known, which incorporated veterans from the
22nd, 27th, 30th, 31st Illinois Infantries along with the 7th Iowa Infantry; and the 2nd Illinois
Cavalry.
Even know that Belleville men formed approximately two thirds of Company K;
hardly any of these men joined a Belleville Grand Army Post; although it can be surmised
that they moved away; only Major Thomas Challenor would join the original Belleville
Post #217 and the later Hecker Post #443 (Major Challenor is also listed on the 1883 St.
Clair County Civil War Pensioners List, with receiving a sum of $10.50 a month for his
wounded hip); the only other veteran of the 22nd Illinois who had any association with the
Belleville Grand Army was Peter Romeiser (who served with Company F, and mustered
out as a Sergeant); he was a shrewd businessman and loyal member of the Order; who
served as Post Commander in 1890-91.
During the 1980’s & 1990‘s; the 22nd Illinois Infantry was remembered and
brought back to life under the careful guidance Russell Schleicher and Frank Riester, as
they performed many re-enactments. Both Riester and Schleicher would go on to join the
Hecker Camp #443; and serve in Officer positions. Commander Schleicher retains many
items from these days, and can be seen in his displays.
On 4 May 2005; Br. Riester gave a presentation entitled: “The Story of the Heroic
Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry”, to the camp. Many original artifacts were
also brought in, which included an original diary.
22nd
Men of the 22nd Illinois Infantry from St. Clair County: (110 Enlisted into service
Officers and Men)
Belleville: 90
Floraville: 1
O’Fallon: 6
Illinoistown: 1
Unincorporated St. Clair County: 4
Lebanon: 1
Mascoutah: 3
Lenzburg: 1
Centerville: 2
Caseyville: 1
St. Clair County Casualties & Other Stats:
KIA Belmont: 3
Deserted: 13
KIA Stones River: 3
Died of Disease: 6
KIA New Hope Church: 1
Out by Civil Order: 2
KIA Chickamauga: 2
POW Belmont: 4
WIA Belmont: 5
POW Chickamauga: 4
WIA Stones River: 3
Interred at Andersonville: 2
WIA Resaca: 1
Died at Andersonville: 1
MW Belmont: 5
MW Stones River: 2
MW Chickamauga: 2
Information From:
Illinois Civil War Muster & Descriptive Rolls
www.ilsos.gov
Civil War Prisoners (Andersonville & Cahaba)
www.civilwarprisoners.com
22nd Illinois Infantry
illinoisgenealogy.com/civil war/22nd_illinois_infantry.com
Wikipedia
22nd Illinois Infantry
Alvan C. Gillem
Battle of Belmont
Battle of Island No. 10
Battle of New Madrid Bird’s Point, Missouri
Siege of Corinth
Eleazar A. Paine
Battle of Stones River
Tullahoma Campaign
Battle of Liberty Gap Battle of Chickamauga
Chattanooga Campaign
Knoxville Campaign Atlanta Campaign
Battle of Resaca
Battle of Adairsville
Battle of New Hope Church
National Park Service - Stones River
Letters Home: John H. Phillips & William Hynes
1887 Official Report
www.nps.gov/stri/learn/historyculture/regfillinois.htm
Family Search. Org
Francis Swanwick and Henry Dougherty
Research conducted by Br. & Secretary J. McKee
Civil War Index
www.civilwarindex.com/armyil/22nd_il_infantry.html
“This Terrible Sound - The Battle of Chickamauga”
By: Peter Cozzens
©1994 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
University of Illinois Press - Urbana and Chicago
Pages: 225-227, 385, 541
“Memoirs of Gustave Koerner: 1809-1896; Life Sketches written at the suggestion of his
children”
By: Gustave Koerner
pp. 142, 145, 147, 149 & 150
Edited By: Thomas J. McCormick
© 1909; Mary K. Engelmann
Torch Press; Cedar Rapids, Iowa
http://archive.org/stream/memgustave02khorrich/memgustave02khorrich_djvu.txt
Hecker Camp #443 (SUVCW) Meeting Minutes; 4 May 2005; recorded by Secretary
Dick Piper
Belleville Weekly Advocate:
2 November 1883
24 October 1879
4 October 1889
27 October 1893
10 November 1893
16 February 1894
15 May 1863
“Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, Volume II - 1861-1866, Roster of
Officers and Men from 16th to 35th Infantry Regiments”
Revised by Brigadier General J.N. Reece, Adjutant General
Springfield, Illinois, 1900
Phillip Brothers State Printers
Revision: 3,
7 December 2015