17th Ill. Cav.

17th Ill. Cav.

       From the Report of the State of Illinois, Revised in 1900 by Brig. Gen. J. N. Reece

HISTORY OF SEVENTEENTH CAVALRY

       The Seventeenth Cavalry Regiment Illinois Volunteers was organized under special authority from the War Department, issued September 11, 1863, to Hon. John F. Farnsworth.   The rendezvous was established at St. Charles, Kane county, Ill.   By the approval of the Governor of the State, the Colonelcy of the Regiment was offered to John L. Beveridge, then Major in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who assumed the work of recruitment and organization, and opened the rendezvous November 15, 1863.   Eight companies were mustered in January 22, 1861.   Four other companies were mustered in and the organization of the Regiment completed, February 12, 1864.
       By the close of April next, 650 horses had been brought in by the men, under instruction from the Cavalry Bureau, and sold to the Government.
       May 3, 1864, the Regiment moved, under orders from the General-in-Chief, to report to Major General Rosecrans, commanding the Department of Missouri, at St. Louis, Mo.