18th Illinois Infantry

[BumpusTN]

While doing some family history research, I've found that the brother of my great great grandfather (my maternal side) was in Company B, of the 18th Regiment. The record shows that Matthew Oller enlisted in early 1861 and served through the battle of Ft. Donelson, where he was wounded and captured. After his exchange, he remained with the 18th through the end of the war. He died of pneumonia in the army hospital Pine Bluff, Arkansas in October 1865.

Does anyone out there have any or know the whereabouts of any photo's of the 18th Illinois? Any help would be appreciated.

Scott Bumpus

[Rmhisteach]

Re: 18th Illinois Infantry

Scott,
Try this site. It has a number of pics of men in the 18th. An interesting story about a fella who was shot in the shoulder at Ft. Donelson.
Enjoy

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/photos/regimentindex.html

Your Pard

Rod

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: 18th Illinois Infantry

I hope these links open up to the right pages:

http://ahecwebdds.carlisle.army.mil/awapps/main.jsp?flag=browse&smd=1&awdid=6

Look up 18th Regt. Ill. Vol.

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: 18th Illinois Infantry

Some fine links have already been posted. Scour the USAMHI resources at Carlisle Barracks.

If you are a road warrior, you may look into a long haul up to Springfield, ILL. I believe the good stuff now is in the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. It used to be called the Ill. State Historical Library. Or something like that. If you go, call first to make sure they will be there and not off on some state holiday, renovating or out of town. See Mary Michaels if she is still there. They may have some 18th stuff. I don't know for sure.

You may try dropping a line in Military Images magazine.

If you can come across a copy of the Harlan-Watkins (?) diary manuscript, it is interesting reading on the early part of the 18th. I believe it stops at the time of Shiloh.

John Pillers
TSM

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: 18th Illinois Infantry

It was this: "Diary of Lt. W.D. Harland, Company H, 18th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and Thos. C. Watkins, Orderly Sergeant, Company H, 18th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers"

By the by, did you know about the 18th's involvement with the first printing of the 'Stars and Stripes' newspaper in 1861?


John Pillers
TSM

[BumpusTN]

Re: 18th Illinois Infantry

John, I hadn't been aware of the Stars and Stripes connection until the other night. Here's some info I found on my ancestors service. I found it very interesting the line that said he was, "HONESTLY and FAITHFULLY dischaged as reason of DIED." I should hope so. Rough Military career as was wounded then captured and eventually put in jail after the cesation of hostilities and soon after died 6 months after the fighting stopped.

Thanks to all who replied.

Scott Bumpus

vi. MATTHEW OLLER, b. 1843, Alexander Co, IL; d. October 20, 1865, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co, Ar.

Notes for MATTHEW OLLER:
John Walker [BK-120] gives the following History of the 18th Illinois:

The Eighteenth Illinois Infantry was organized at Anna, Union County, Illinois, in early May 1861. All the members of the regiment were recruited in the Ninth Illinois Congressional District. On May 19, 1861, the unit, numbering nine hundred and thirty officers and enlisted men, was mustered into state service for a term of thirty days by the state mustering officer, Captain Ulysses S. Grant. Nine days later the regiment was mustered into Federal service.

Like other Civil War units, the eighteenth Illinois Infantry was often known by an alternate designation derived from the name of its commanding officer. Names of this type used by of for the regiment ware shown below.

Michael K. Lawler's Infantry
Thomas H. Burgess's Infantry
Samuel Eaton's Infantry
Daniel H. Brush's Infantry
Asgil Conner's Infantry
Samuel B. Marks' Infantry
Nathan Crews' Infantry
Henry S. Wilson's Infantry
John C. Webber's Infantry
Noah R. Yeargin's Infantry

The regiment's original commanding officer, Michael Kelly Lawler, was a strict disciplinarian who was court-martialed for some of his more extreme attempts to enforce discipline in his units. Acquitted, he led his regiment at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, where he was wounded. In May, 1863 Lawler was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General effective November 29, 1862. Later he commanded various districts in Louisiana and along the Texas coast. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on March 13, 1865.

Two other members of the unit received brevet promotions to the rank of Brigadier-General in the omnibus promotions of March 13, 1865. They were Daniel H. Brush and John (sometimes identified as "Jules") C. Webber.

In April, 1862, as a result of the casualties sustained at Shiloh, companies "C" and "H" were disbanded and their members divided into the eight remaining companies. On September 26, 1862, two new companies, recruited in Carbondale, Illinois were added to the regiment. Company "K" was detached from the unit on December 11, 1862, for service with the Mississippi Marine Brigade. In the late summer of 1863 this detachment was made permanent. By late August, 1863, the strength of the unit was reported as less than two hundred effectives. Accordingly the unit's Companies were again consolidated, this time into three companies -- "A", "B" and "C". The unit served with only three companies until March, 1865, when seven newly recruited companies were added to the unit.

Not quite a month after being mustered into Federal service, the Eighteenth Illinois Infantry was ordered to Bird's Point, Missouri. It remained there until August 26, 1861. The unit then moved to Mound City and Cairo, Illinois. Until February 1862, the unit served in the District of Cairo. The regiment served in the Department and Army of the Tennessee until July, 1863. Ordered west of the Mississippi River, the unit spent the rest of its career attached to the Department of Arkansas. Specific higher command assignments of the regiment are placed in chronological order among the specific orders and muster calls of Matthew Oller listed below.

Matthew Oller's service record is from LD-093 unless otherwise cited.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

19 May 1861-> Unit formed and mustered into state service by Ulysses
S. Grant. BK-120

21 June 1861- Matthew Oller joined and enrolled for duty at Bird's Point
[MO] for a period of three years.

26 August 1861-> Unit ordered from Bird's Point to Mound City and Cairo. BK-120

31 August 1861- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
[Noted: From Second Auditor's Roll.]
Sept & Oct 1861- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- (Mustered in June 21 Bird's Point 3
yrs)
Nov & Dec 1861- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
2-12 Nov 1861-> From Bird's Point, Cape Girardeau, and Ironton, MO against
Thompson's forces. [BK-120]
1 January 1862- Matthew Oller Attached to Hospital

Jan & Feb 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry
Appears of Hospital Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Attached to Hospital Jan 1, 186_ [2]
How employed - Nurse
- Returned to his company Jan 10th

10 January 1862- Matthew Oller Leaves Hospital and returns to Company

16-21 Jan 1862-> Unit Expedition from Cairo, Ill towards Columbus, Ky [BK-120]

2-8 Feb 1862-> Unit Expedition against Fort Henry, Tennessee.
Fort Henry captured 6 Feb 1862. [Ref. BK-120]

12-16 Feb 1862-> Unit Investment, Battle, and Capture, Fort Donelson, Tenn.
[Ref. BK-120]

Jan & Feb 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Missing in action
Jan & Feb 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Missing in action
[ a second card with same information, but not a duplicate]

13-15 Feb 1862- Casualty Sheet of wounded for M. Oller, Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't
of Ill volunteers at the battle of Fort Donelson.

13-15 Feb 1862- Casualty Sheet for M. Oller, Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't
of Ill volunteers at the battle of Fort Donelson.
wounded and missing, Source Last of killed, wounded and
missing , 1st brigade, 1st Division of Dist West Tenn at the
siege of Fort Donelson February 13,14,15, 1862. Detached from
a report signed by R.J. Oglesby, Col Comdg. (JAS)

15 Feb 1862- Matthew Oller Missing in Action Donelson Tennessee battle

16 Mar 1862- Matthew Oller POW confined at Mobile.


Mar & Apr 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Missing in action at Donaldson
[sic Donelson], Feb 15, 1862
Mar & Apr 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Missing in action at Donaldson
[sic Donelson], Feb 15, 1862
(a second card with same words but not duplicate- aeh)
Mar & Apr 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry
Appears on Hospital Muster Roll, Attached to hospital
Jan[Jun?] 1 186_. Employed as a Nurse.
Matthew Oller Present- Returned to Company Jan [Jun?] 20 1862.

6-7 Apr 1862-> Unit Battle, Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. [Ref. BK-120]

April 1862 - Companies "C" and "H" were disbanded following losses at Shiloh

29 Apr- 30 May-> Unit advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss. [Ref. BK-120]
[Matthew Oller being a POW, missed the heavy losses of Shiloh
and Corinth.]

15 May 1862- Matthew Oller POW sent to Montgomery to be forwarded to
Tuscaloosa

May & Jun 1862- Pvt. Co. H, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry
Appears on Hospital Muster Roll, Attached to hospital
Jan[Jun?] 1 186_. Employed as a Nurse.
Matthew Oller Present- Returned to Company Jan [Jun?] 20 1862.
1-20 June 1862- Nurse in ? Hospital

24 June 1862- Major Nathan Crews, Commander of Regiment letter to
Lieut. J.C. Webber, a.a.a. Genl. 1st Brigade, request for
assignment of Matthew Oller who was returned prisoner from
capture at Donelson, Tennessee battle.
With answer by M.K. Lawler.

25 June 1862- Matthew Oller Transferred to Company D Regiment 18th Illinois
Infantry

May & Jun 1862- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Transferred from Co. H to Co. D June 25
1862.
July & Aug 1862- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-

27 Jul-13 Aug-> Unit expedition to Bolivar, Tenn and Brownsville, Miss.
[Ref. BK-120]

18 August 1862- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
Sept & Oct 1862- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-

31 Oct 1862-> Start of Unit operations on the Mississippi Central R.R. from
Bolivar, Tenn to Coffeeville, Miss. until 10 Jan 1863.
Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign. [Ref BK-120]

15-25 Nov 1862- Matthew Oller Furlough approved to Pulaski Co, IL
RE death of two sisters
Approved C. A. Lowle, 1st Leut Co D, 18th Reg't
Approved S. B. Marks, Major Command of

16 Nov 1862- Matthew Oller Furlough disapproved
Head Qtr Command Post, Jackson, Tenn, Met Lawler, Cal Comd
Post

18 Dec 1862-> Start of Unit operations against Forrest in west Tennessee
until 3 Jan 1863. [Ref. BK-120]

Nov & Dec 1862- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
Jan & Feb 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-

3-10 Mar 1863-> Unit expedition to Huntington, Tenn. [Ref BK-120]
16-18 Mar 1863-> Unit expedition from Jackson to Trenton, Tenn. [BK-120]
1-10 Apr 1863-> Unit mounted expedition to Covington, Tenn. [BK-120]
11-16 Apr 1863-> Unit mounted expedition to Summersville, Tenn [BK-120]

Mar & Apr 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
18 April 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present-
{Noted: supposed to be a special muster of 10 April 1863}
4 June 1863-> Start of unit's siege, Vicksburg, Miss until 4 July 1863.
[Ref BK-120]
May & Jun 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- On detail

1 August 1863-> Start of unit participation in Steele's Expedition against
Little Rock, Arkansas until 14 September 1863. [Ref. BK-120]

July & Aug 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Sick in Hospital Deuvals Bluff, Ark

10 Sept 1863-> Unit engagement, Bayou Fourche, Ark. [Ref. BK-120]

10 Sept 1863-> Capture of Little Rock, Ark. [Ref BK-120]

Sept & Oct 1863- Pvt. Co. D, 18th Reg't Illinois Infantry Company Muster Roll
Joined for duty and enrolled June 13, 1861, Anna Ill for 3 yrs
Matthew Oller Present-
21 Dec 1863- Matthew Oller Pvt. Co. D, 18th ILL Infantry, Age 19 years
Muster-out Roll, Little Rock, Ark, Last paid June 30, 1863
Clothing account last settled June 30, 1863, am't for clothing
in kind or money advanced $15 22/100
Has bounty due for last enlistment $100.00 Engaged in battle
of Donelson. Discharged by virtue of re-enlisted as Vet Vol
under the provision of G. O. No.191 War Dept series of 1863.

22 Dec 1863- Declaration of Recruit for Matthew Oller

22 Dec 1863- Volunteer Enlistment for Matthew Oller, 19 yr old farmer, born
in Alexander Co.,Ill
22 Dec 1863- Matthew Oller Pvt. Co. D, 18th ILL Infantry, Age 19 years
Muster-in Roll of Veteran Volunteers, Little Rock, Ark,
for 3 years. Re-enlisted as Vet Vol under the provision of
G. O. No.191 War Dept series of 1863.
26 Dec 1863- Matthew Oller, Pvt. Co. D, 18th ILL Reg't Infantry, Appears
on Muster and Descriptive Roll of Veteran Volunteers. Age 20
years, occupation Farmer, enlisted 22 Dec 1863, Little Rock,
Ark for 3 years. Gray eyes, Light Hair, light complexion,
height 5' 7". Re-enlisted as Vet Vol under the provision of
G. O. No.191 War Dept series of 1863. To have furlough of at
least [over].... {other side not copied!}
Nov & Dec 1863- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Re-enlisted as Vet Vol under the
provision of G.O. No.191 series 1863 War Dept.

Jan & Feb 1864- no card See furlough comment 26 Dec 1863.

27-31 Mar 1864-> Unit expedition from Pine Bluff to Mount Elba, and Longview,
Ark. [Ref. BK-120]
28 March 1864-> Unit skirmish, Mount Elba, Ark [Ref. BK-120]
30 March 1864-> Unit action, Mount Elba, Ark [Ref. BK-120]
30-31 Mar 1864-> Unit pursuit to Big Creek, Ark [Ref. BK-120]

Mar & Apr 1864- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Re-enlisted as a Vet Vol.
May & Jun 1864- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Re-enlisted as a Vet Vol.
August 31 1864- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Vet.
Sept & Oct 1864- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Re-enlisted as a Vet. 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Installment of bounty due.
Nov & Dec 1864- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Vet. 1,2,3,4 Installment of bounty due.
Jan & Feb 1865- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Vet. 1,2,3,4 Installment of bounty
due. Teamster pontoon train.

24 Feb 1865- John Alfred (Great Grandfather of AEH) enlist in
Private, Company B, 18th Illinois Infantry Volunteers
[Ref. LD-067]

Mar & Apr 1865- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Absent- Absent without leave
May & June 1865- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller absent- Vet Absent in confinement at Little Rock
Ark. *Conduct prejudicial to good order & Mil Discipline.
Sentenced to forfeit pay proper for three months per
G. O. 32. H.Q. Ins/ Div % AG July 13/65.
July & Aug 1865- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Present- Vet. 5th Installment Bounty due.
Sept & Oct 1865- Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Company Muster Roll
Matthew Oller Vet. Died in Post Hospt Pine Bluff Ark
Oct 20/65

20 October 1865- Death Notice to Commanding Officer B company 18th regiment
Illinois Infantry. signed by G.C. Day, Ajt. Surgeon U.S. Vols.

24 October 1865- Discharge of Mathew Oller, Private of Captain Tho's Gage,
Company B of the 18th Regiment of Infantry Volunteers of the
State of Illinois, age 20 years; 5 feet 7 inches high; Fair
complexion, Blue eyes, Light hair, and by occupation a Farmer
who joined for service and was enrolled as a Vet. Vol. on the
22nd day of December, 1863, at Little Rock, Ark by Capt.
Blackburn, for the period of Three years and mustered into the
service of the United States on the Twenty-sixth day of
December, 1863, at Little Rock, Ark, by Lieut. Wilson; and
having served HONESTLY and FAITHFULLY with his Company to
the present date, is now entitled to a DISCHARGE by reason of,
Died in Post Hospital, Pine Bluff Arkansas of Pneumonia,
Oct 20, 1865.

16 Dec 1865- Matthew Oller Pvt. (new) Co. B, 18th ILL Infantry Age 20 years
Appears on Co. Muster-out Roll
Last paid to June 30, 1865. Clothing account Last settled
Feb 28, 1865; drawn $34 26/100. Bounty paid $360; due $140
Vet died in Genl Hospt at Pine Bluff, Ark Oct 20/65.
Pneumonia. Papers forwarded.
16 Dec 1865- John Alfred [Maternal Great Grandfather of AEH]
Discharged also from Company B, 18th Illinois at Pine Bluff,
Arkansas [Ref. LD-067]

Walker [BK-120] states: "During its career, the regiment sustained the loss of six officers and ninety-nine enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. An additional seven officers and two hundred and eight-two enlisted men died from disease or other non-battlefield causes." Matthew survived battles, battle wound, confinement as a POW, over a period near five years to finally die in the post hospital of pneumonia.