The 14th Illinois Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry unit that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Organization and Service
- Date of organization: The regiment was organized at Springfield, Illinois, and mustered into federal service on May 25 1861 for a three‑year enlistment.
- Initial commander: Colonel Thomas H. McConville (later promoted to brigadier general) was the regiment’s first commanding officer.
- Attachments: Throughout the war the regiment served in several formations within the Western Theater, including the Army of the Tennessee, the Army of the Ohio, and later the Department of the Gulf.
Major Campaigns and Battles
- Fort Donelson (February 1862): Participated in the Union assault and capture of the fort on the Cumberland River.
- Battle of Shiloh (April 1862): Engaged in heavy fighting on the Union left flank.
- Vicksburg Campaign (May–July 1863): Took part in the siege that resulted in the surrender of the Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.
- Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Served in operations leading to the capture of Atlanta, Georgia.
- Mobile Campaign (March–April 1865): Involved in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and the subsequent fall of Mobile, Alabama.
Later Service and Mustering Out
- After the fall of Mobile, the regiment performed occupation and garrison duties in Alabama.
- The 14th Illinois Infantry Regiment was mustered out of Federal service on July 18 1865 in Selma, Alabama, and the soldiers were discharged at Springfield, Illinois.
Casualties
- Total enrollment: Approximately 1,200 men served at one time or another.
- Combat deaths: ~100 killed or mortally wounded.
- Disease and other causes: ~150 enlisted men died from illness, accidents, or other non‑combat reasons.
Notable Personnel
- Colonel Thomas H. McConville – promoted to brigadier general, later commanded a brigade in the Army of the Tennessee.
- Captain William G. Van Wyck – received a brevet promotion for gallantry at Vicksburg.
Historical Significance The 14th Illinois Infantry Regiment contributed to the Union’s control of the Mississippi River and the eventual defeat of Confederate forces in the Western Theater. Its service record reflects the broader pattern of Illinois volunteer regiments that were raised quickly in 1861, fought extensively across multiple states, and were demobilized following the Confederacy’s surrender in 1865.
