58th Ill. Vol. Inft.

58th Ill. Vol. Inft.

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

HISTORY OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTY INFANTRY

       The Fifty-eighth Infantry Volunteers was recruited at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois on the 11th of February, 1862.   The Regiment left Camp Douglas, 887 strong via the Illinois Central Railroad, for Cairo, Illinois, and reported to Brigadier General E. A. Paine, on the 12th.   Was immediately furnished with arms and started from Cairo about Midnight, with orders to proceed up the Ohio to Smithland, Ky., thence up the Cumberland, to the vicinity of Fort Donelson on the night of the 13th, and disembarked at daybreak, the 14th, having beenb assigned to the Third Brigade Third Division, Colonel H. M. Thayer, First Nebraska, Commanding.
       Was temporarily assigned to the Second Division, General C. F. Smith commanding.   On reporting to General Smith was assigned to the Brigade of Colonel Lauman, of the Seventh Iowa, and about 11 A. M. 14th, was in position, subject to considerable annoyance from the enemy's shell from the fort.   In the afternoon two companies were deployed forward, and were briskly engaged for a short time.   The men suffered exceedingly from the intense cold. no fires being allowed.   The men were poorly prepared for the severe task imposed upon them - very few having seen service.   The arms furnished them had been condemned and thrown aside by other Regiments, and there was, in short, no confidence in them whatever.   A few casualties occurred during the evening and night.   On the morning of the 15th was re-assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division.   Was under fire a short time in the morning and in the evening.