HISTORY

OF THE


EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT

ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,


DURING ITS TERM OF SERVICE.

(NOTE: THIS IS ALSO THE HISTORY OF THE 85th and 125th ILLINOIS
AS WELL AS THE 52nd OHIO)

By J. R. KINNEAR

Cruger, Woodford County, Illinois.

[Transcribed by Wayne A. Edwards]


CHICAGO:

TRIBUNE COMPANY'S BOOK AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE.

1866.


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TO THE




COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN




OF THE




EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT



ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,




This volume is respectfully dedicated, by




THE AUTHOR.


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PREFACE

     The history of the Eighty-sixth Illinois was written in part while the regiment was yet in the service, merely for the gratification of a personal desire; but since its muster out, the author has been frequently urged by many of his friends to have it published, that they might share what he alone enjoyed. He complied with an earnest request from Colonel Fahnestock to meet himself, General Magee, Major Thomas, Dr. Guth, Captain Zinser and others at Peoria, to have the manuscript examined before publication. It was met by their hearty approval, and an eager desire on their part to have it published; at the same time giving the assurance that they would lend their whole influence in getting it before the public. For these reasons the author has been induced to present this little volume to his comrades and friends, in the hope that it will receive their hearty welcome.
     The history of the Eighty-sixth is also the history of the 85th, 125th and 110th Illinois, together with the 52nd Ohio and 22nd Indiana, all of the same brigade. Particular mention has been made of these regiments, for they were to the Eighty-sixth a band of faithful brothers.
     The author acknowledges himself indebted, to Colonel Fahnestock, Major Thomas, Captain Major, and Acting Adjutant Loveland, for the kind assist­ance and encouragement they have given him in preparing this history for publication, and to them he attributes the merit of this work, if it possesses merit.

                                                                                THE AUTHOR.

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This note has been added by Wayne Edwards 10 April 1998.

     This history is also the history of her sister units, the 85th, and 125th Illinois Infantry as well as the 52nd Ohio Infantry Regiments.

     My great-grandfather, Sylvester Butler of Princeville, Il, served in the 86th Illinois Infantry. Until about 5 years ago, nobody in the family even knew his name or that we had an ancestor who served in the Civil War. While researching my family history I learned his name, his unit and that he died 5 Mar 1863 in the Old Nashville City Hospital and was buried in the National Cemetery at Nashville, TN. For some time, I was unable to find much information on the 86th Infantry. The bibliography on the “Illinois in the Civil War” web page, http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/history/civil/cw86.html referenced this book. My cousin, the late J. J. “Pete”Schreiber and his wife Violet of Morton, IL, found the book at the Peoria Public Library and made photocopies for me. I was intrigued with the detail of the description of Mr. Kinnear of his life as a soldier in the Civil War.
     I decided to undertake the project of scanning the photocopies into Microsoft Word, which developed into a much larger project than I had anticipated. I did this for several reasons. Probably only a few copies of this rare book are available and is not readily available to the public. The original book is over 130 years old and will not survive many trips to the copy machine. The book apparently was never copyrighted, and if it was, it is now over 75 years old, the copyright has expired and is now in the public domain. I want to make copies available to libraries and the file available on the Internet.
     Except for the larger format, which makes it easier to photocopy, I tried to retain the book as much like the original as possible. Misspelled words and the unusual punctuation were retained. The Table of Contents reflects the new page numbers and can reflect page changes due to reformatting to a different size.
     I hope readers will enjoy as much as I have seeing the Civil War through the eyes of a soldier who experienced the hard times of the war. Many brave men on both sides gave their all for what they believed was right.

Wayne A. Edwards
624 Overland Trail
Southlake, TX 76092
WAEdwards at MSN.COM

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION, AND MARCH TO NASHVILLE‑----ABOUT NASHVILLE.

CHAPTER II.
MARCH TO CHATTANOOGA‑BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.

CHAPTER III
MISSION RIDGE AND KNOXVILLE.

CHAPTER IV.
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA.

CHAPTER V.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATLANTA.

CHAPTER VI.
TO THE REAR.

CHAPTER VII.
TO THE SEA.

CHAPTER VIII.
RAID THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA---BATTLES OF AVERYSB0RO AND BENTONVILLE.

CHAPTER IX.
CAPTURE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMY.

CHAPTER X.
HOMEWARD BOUND.

REGIMENTAL ROSTER

CAPTAIN BURKHALTER'S ADVENTURE.

SOLDIERS' LETTERS.

BATTLE.

FARMING IN THE SOUTH.

REBEL LETTER.