Who was the 92nd Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry?
This regiment originated in the Freeport area of northwestern Illinois. Recruits came from the counties of Stephenson, Ogle and Carroll counties.
It began as infantry, but within eleven months, was transformed into mounted infantry (cavalry).
The 92 Illinois proudly became part of the famed “Lightning Brigade”, organized by Col. John T. Wider. His brigade is renowned for its daring exploits during the Tullahoma Campaign and Battle of Chickamauga.
The 92nd Illinois was one of relatively few Union regiments which boasted the Spencer repeating rifle.
It was part of General William T. Sherman’s army that captured Atlanta and cut a swath through Georgia on its “March to the Sea”.
It was attached to General Judson Kilpatrick’s cavalry in Georgia and throughout the Carolina Campaign.
By war’s end, it suffered over two hundred deaths. Causes ranged from ravaging disease to horrific battlefield fatalities to disgusting, inhumane treatment at Andersonville Prison.
Timeline of the 92nd Illinois’ Three Years in the Union Army
August 1862 Members enlisted; regiment organized
September 1862 Muster-In
To June 1863 2nd Brigade, Baird’s 3rd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of the Cumberland
To July 1863 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland
To October 1863 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland
To December 1863 Attached to Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” (Attachment began July 1863. Various sources differ on detachment; possibly as late as April 1864.)
To April 1864 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland
To October 1864 3rd Brigade, Kilpatrick’s 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland
To November 1864 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi
To June 1865 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi
June 21, 1865 Muster-Out, Concord, North Carolina
Source: Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, T. Yoseloff, New York, 1959 reprint, vol. III, page 1085.
The 92nd Illinois was engaged in some of the most savage fighting of the war, including the following:
Franklin skirmish – Duck River – Triune – Sequatchie Valley – Harrison’s Landing – Taking and holding of Chattanooga – Ringgold (two times) – Tullahoma – Chickamauga (two-day battle) – Bambridge Ferry – Lookout Mountain – Missionary Ridge – Tunnel Hill – Resaca – Nickajack – Calhoun – Lay’s Ferry – Adairsville – Owl Creek Church – Villanow – Siege of Atlanta – Jonesboro (two times) – Lovejoy Station – Siege of Savannah – Ebonezer Creek – Brush Creek – Macon – Gordonsville – Wadesboro – Altamaha – Wahatchie – Barnwell – Blackville – Williston – Aiken – Averasboro – Acton Bridge – Dotsonville – Monroe’s Crossroads – Bentonville – all skirmishes following Wade Hampton to Raleigh
Source: Attachment to Discharge Document of William Boddy, Private, Co. A, 92nd Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry.