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The Regiment was fully organized and mustered into the United States' service. September 3rd, 1862, at Peoria, Illinois. Remained in camp at that place until October 4th, at which time it proceeded to Covington, Kentucky., and reported to Major General Gordon Granger, commanding the Army of Kentucky, who assigned it to duty in the Division commanded by General Andrew Jackson Smith. Marched from Covington, with the Division, October 17th, and reached Lexington on the 29th, and Richmond, November 2nd. Marched from that point on November 11th, and arrived at Louisville on the 17th. Nothing of any interest transpired during the sojourn of the Regiment in Kentucky- there being no force of the enemy in the State at the time; and the campaign there was merely a march of about 150 miles into the interior, and a march back again. November 20th, 1862, the Regiment embarked on steamer for Memphis, Tennessee, in company with the whole division, under the same commander. Arrived at latter place, November 27th. Remained there until December 20th. The Division was re-organized and reported for duty to Major General William T. Sherman. Embarked at Memphis on the 20th of December, and proceeded down the river with Sherman's Army, for the capture of Vicksburg, Disembarked in the Yazoo River, near Chickasaw Bayou, on the 27th. The Seventy-seventh occupied the extreme right of the line, and participated in the attack on the rebel works. After four days' fighting the attack was abandoned, and the Army embarked on their boats and proceeded to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana.

National Flag, 77th Illinois Infantry (Illinois State Military Museum)

At this place Major General John McClernand arrived and assumed command of the Army, He organized it into two Corps - the Thirteenth (13th) and Fifteenth (15th). The Seventy-seventh was assigned to the Tenth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. Division commanded by General A.J. Smith, and the Corps by General McClernand.

Left Milliken's Bend, January 5th, 1863, and arrived at Arkansas Post on the 10th. Immediately disembarked, and, on the following morning, participated in the assault. After a few hours' hard fighting, carried the place, by assault, capturing all it contained. The loss of the Regiment here was 6 killed and 39 wounded - some of the latter mortally. The Regiment in this battle behaved admirably, and was complimented by the commanding General for its gallant conduct.

January 14th, again embarked, and proceeded to Young's Point, Louisiana. Arrived there on the 22d, and went into camp, remaining until the 9th of March, engaged in the digging on the canal across the point opposite Vicksburg. In March, changed camp to Milliken's Bend.

In the first part of April, the Thirteenth Corps marched from Milliken's Bend, for Grand Gulf. The Seventy-seventh broke camp and moved forward about the middle of April. Crossed the river below Grand Gulf, on the last day of April, and marched all night, arriving at Port Gibson early on the morning of the 1st of May, and participated in the engagement there during the entire day. The Regiment remained with General Grant's Army during the entire campaign around Vicksburg, and the siege of the latter place until its surrender.

The Regiment was engaged in the actions at Champion Hills, May 17th, Black River Bridge, May 19th; first charge on Vicksburg, May 22nd and 23rd, losing, in these engagements, twenty (20) killed, eighty-six (86) wounded and twenty-six (26) missing.

Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th of July, and the next day the Regiment marched for Jackson, with the Army under Sherman. Arrived there July 9th, and was under the fire of the enemy at that place until the 10th, when Jackson was evacuated, and the Seventy seventh returned to Vicksburg. Remained in camp at Vicksburg until August 25th, when embarked for New Orleans, where it remained in camp until October 3rd.

Left New Orleans at that time, for Western Louisiana. Marched up Bayou Teche, through Franklin to New Iberia, Louisiana. Camped there until December 6th, 1863, when marched back to New Orleans. Left New Orleans the 17th December, on steamer, and disembarked at Paso Cavalo, Texas, on the 20th December, Remained in camp until the last of February then embarked on vessels and were transported to Berwick Bay, Louisiana. From there marched through to Alexandria, Louisiana, with the Army under General Banks, bound for Shreveport. From Alexandria. marched up Red River. driving the enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was reached, on the 8th of April, 1864, where it met the enemy in force, and was immediately engaged.

The Seventy-seventh belonged to the Division under command of General Ransom, which Division was first ordered forward to support the advance cavalry, Before the army could be brought forward to their support the whole rebel army came down on them, and overwhelmed the whole Division. In this engagement, the Seventy-seventh suffered terribly. Lieutenant Colonel Webb was killed instantly, by a musket ball through the brain, and 176 officers and men were killed, wounded and made prisoners, leaving only about 125 men in the Regiment for duty.

On the next day General A.J. Smith's Corps came up, and at Pleasant Hill another battle was fought, ending in the complete defeat of the rebels. The Regiment remained with General Banks throughout his retreat down Red River, and until he reached the Mississippi. Here it was ordered into camp at Baton Rouge, until the first part of August. At this time, with five or six other regiments, it embarked, and was transported to Dauphine's Island, under the command of General Gordon Granger. Here assisted in the reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, and then returned to Morganzia Bend, on the Mississippi. In October, Regiment ordered to New Orleans, for provost duty, and remained there until the first part of March, 1865, when it was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and transported to Mobile Point, where it joined General Canby's Army for the capture of Mobile. General Granger collected his Thirteenth Corps at this point, and, during the month of March moved up the Peninsula towards Spanish Fort. The Regiment was with General Canby's Army during the entire siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Blakely and Mobile, and was under fire during the entire time.

The day following their entry into Mobile, the Third Division, in which the Seventy-seventh served, marched out of the city and proceeded up the Tombigbee River, in search of General Dick Taylor's Army. It proceeded up the river about 60 miles, when it was re-called to Mobile - the rebel forces throughout the country having surrendered.

Remained in camp in Mobile until July 10th, 1865, at which time it was mustered out of service, and ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for final payment and discharge, where it arrived July 22nd, 1865.

The Seventy-seventh Illinois, during its term of service, was engaged in sixteen battles and sieges, and in every one of them carried itself with honor and credit to the State.

Sergeant Major Walter B. Hotckiss (USAHEC)

Private John Buttrick (USAHEC)

Unknown Private (USAHEC)