1st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry
Encyclopedia
The 1st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
, on July 3, 1861. Among their initial officers was future Washington philanthropist
David P. Jenkins
, who served as the regiment's first major
. Companies "I," "H" and "K" were mustered at Alton at later dates and never served with the main body of the regiment. The original companies served as guards for supply trains and depots until mustered out on July 14, 1862. The remaining companies served independently.
The last company was mustered out on December 27, 1862.
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Service
Companies "A" to "G" of the 1st Illinois Cavalry were mustered into service at Alton, IllinoisAlton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
, on July 3, 1861. Among their initial officers was future Washington philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
David P. Jenkins
David P. Jenkins (Colonel)
David P. Jenkins , was an American attorney, soldier, businessman and philanthropist who homesteaded Spokane, Washington.-Biography:...
, who served as the regiment's first major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
. Companies "I," "H" and "K" were mustered at Alton at later dates and never served with the main body of the regiment. The original companies served as guards for supply trains and depots until mustered out on July 14, 1862. The remaining companies served independently.
The last company was mustered out on December 27, 1862.
Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 17 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 26 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 43 fatalities.Commanders
- Colonel Thomas A. Marshall - mustered out July 14, 1862, with the main body of the regiment.