Volume 11 , Issue 52

Regimental History - Illinois, THIRTIETH INFANTRY - (Three years)

The Thirtieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Butler Illinois, August 28, 1861, Colonel P. B. Fouke, commanding.

My maternal Great Grandpa, Henry Clay Paris, was amongst the infantry of those Union Privates from Illinois who fought in the Civil War. Great Grandpa Henry C. Paris moved to Illinois from Kentucky to live with an older brother, when he got disgusted with the selling of blacks into slavery. Another brother stayed in Kentucky and fought for the South in the Civil War.

As to the the history of the Regimental, Ilinois, 30th Infantry, on about September 1, 1861, they moved to Cairo, Illinois, and was assigned to Brigadier General John A. McClernand's Brigade - Brigadier General U. S. Grant commanding District of Cairo, and Major General John C. Fremont, commanding Department of Missouri.

October 22, went on scout into Kentucky, near Columbus. November 7, was engaged in the battle of Belmont. The Regiment did gallant service during this action, and captured the celebrated "Watson's New Orleans Battery." January 10, 1862, moved from Cairo on a reconnaissance into Kentucky, and returned on the 22d.

February 4, moved up Tennessee river. 6th, was in the attack and taking of Fort Henry, in Colonel Oglesby's Brigade. Was engaged in the siege and taking of Fort Donelson, 13th, 14th and 15th February, 1862.

Arrived at Pittsburg Landing, April 25. Took part in the siege of Corinth, in Colonel Logan's Brigade. June 4th and 6th, marched from Corinth to Bethel. 8th, occupied Jackson, Tennessee. 13th and 14th of August, marched to Estenaula, and the 31st to Denmark.

September 1, 1862, marched toward Medan Station, on the Mississippi Central Railroad, and about 4 miles from that place met the enemy's cavalry, 6,000 strong, under General Armstrong, and, after 4 hours, hard fighting, drove the enemy from the field, gaining a brilliant victory. The Thirtieth was commanded by Major Warren Shedd--Colonel Dennis, commanding Brigade of 20th and 30th Illinois Infantry, one section Schwartz's Illinois Battery, Captain Foster's company of Independent Ohio Cavalry, and 34 men Of Fourth Illinois Cavalry.

On 2 September, marched to Medan. 3d, to Jackson. 2 November, marched to Lagrange. On 11th, marched toward Water Valley, Mississippi, arriving December 19th. 21st, marched for Memphis, Tennessee, arriving January 19, 1863. Were stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, in Colonel Leggett's Brigade, Major General Logan's Division, Major General McPherson's Corps, February 22d, 1863, moved to Lake Providence, Louisiana.

Moved, soon after, to Vista's plantation. April 17, to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. Joined Grant's army, and moved to Bruinsburg, Mississippi--crossing Mississippi river. May 1st, moved to Thompson's Hill. Moved to Hankinson's Ferry, on Black river, skirmishing with the enemy en route. Moved to Raymond, Mississippi. Engaged in the battle of Raymond May 12. Moved via Clinton to Jackson. Pursued the retreating enemy, after their defeat on 14th May. May 16, engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, losing heavily. Crossed Black river with the army, and arrived in the rear of Vicksburg, 19th May, 1863.

May 25, moved with expedition to Mechanicsburg, under General Blair. Returning, actively participated in the seige Of Vicksburg, until June 23, and then moved to Black river, under General Sherman, to watch the rebel General Johnson. Moved with General Sherman's army to Jackson, and assisted in the investment of that place, after which the Regiment moved to Vicksburg, arriving July 25. Remained in camp until August 20, when it moved to Monroe, Louisiana--returning 28th. October 14, moved, under General McPherson, toward Canton, Mississippi. Was in engagement at Bogachitta Creek. Returned same month.

January 1st, 1864, mustered in as veteran organization. 10th, moved with expedition up the Mississippi river, against guerrillas, and returned on 15th. February 3, left Vicksburg, on Meridian Campaign, under General Sherman. Participated in the several skirmishes with the enemy, and arrived at Meridian, February 15. Returned, March 3. Distance, 300 miles. March 5, left Vicksburg on veteran furlough to the State, arriving at Camp Butler, March 12.

April 18, left Camp Butler. 28th, left Cairo with"Tennessee River Expedition," under General W. Q. Gresham. Arrived at Clinton, Tennessee, 30th. May 5, marched, via Pulaski, Tennessee, and Athens, Alabama, to Huntsville, Alabama. May 25, moved to Decatur, crossing Tennessee river, 27th. Thence via Warrentown, Alabama, to Rome, Georgia, thence, via Kingston, joining General Sherman's "Grand Army" at Ackworth, June 8th. 10th, moved to Big Shanty, and commenced skirmishing with the enemy. 27th, moved out to make a demonstration in front, losing about 20 killed and wounded. On the night of July 2, moved, with Seventeenth Army Corps, to the right of General Sherman's army, 5th, moved to Nickajack creek. 9th, Regiment sent to guard Department Headquarters. 12th, moved to Sweet Water creek.

July 17, moved towards Decatur, via Marietta, crossing the Chattahoochie at Roswell's, and arriving at Decatur on 20th. Was in battle of July 21st, near Atlanta. Also, in battle of July 22d, near Atlanta-lost heavily. Actively engaged until the fall of Atlanta and Jonesboro. Camped at East Point, September 6.

October 4, 1864, moved northward, in the pursuit of General Hood, via Kenesaw Mountain, to Resaca, and returned to Smyrna Camp Ground, via Galesville, Alabama, arriving November 5.

November 13, moved to Atlanta. 15th, moved with General Sherman's army in the "March to the Sea" participating in the capture of Savannah, Georgia, December 21st. Left Savannah January 4, 1865, and moved, by water, to Beaufort, South Carolina. Left Beaufort, January 13th, and participated in the capture of Pocotaligo, on the 15th. Remained at Pocotaligo until 30th. Marched, with Sherman's army to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where the Regiment arrived March 25, 1865. Was engaged, during the march, in the capture of Orangeburg, Columbia and Cheraw, South Carolina, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, besides destroying railroad track, etc.

April 10. moved to Raleigh, arriving there on the 14th. Remained in camp until the surrender of the rebel army, under General Johnson.

April 29, marched northward, via Richmond, to Alexandria, Virginia, arriving May 19th. The Regiment took part in the grand review, May 24, 1865, at Washington, D C. Camped near Washington same day. Left Washington June 7, via Baltimore and Ohio railroad, arriving at Parkersburg, Virginia, 9th. Proceeded, by steamboat, to Louisville, Kentucky. Remained in camp at Louisville.

Mustered out of United States service July 17, 1865, by First Lieutenant Aug. P. Noyes, A. C. M. Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps.

Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 20. Received final payment and discharge July 27, 1865. Source: Illinois Adjutant-General's Report, vol. 2, p. 537

Battles Fought:
Fought on 7 Nov 1861 at Belmont, MO.
Fought on 14 Feb 1862 at Fort Donelson, TN.
Fought on 15 Feb 1862 at Fort Donelson, TN.
Fought on 16 Feb 1862 at Fort Donelson, TN.
Fought on 1 Sep 1862 at Britton's Lane, TN.
Fought on 16 Oct 1862 at Jackson, TN.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Black River Bridge, MS.
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Champion's Hill, MS.
Fought on 5 Feb 1864.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864.
Fought on 27 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 29 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 28 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 17 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 28 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 25 Feb 1865.
Fought on 8 Mar 1865 at Kinston, NC.
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