The History of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers

In Short

This volume serves as a detailed, firsthand account of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, tracing their grueling three-year service across Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Written by the regimental surgeon’s hospital steward, the narrative blends official military movements with the intimate, often harsh experiences of the common soldier. It remains a significant historical document because it preserves the day-to-day struggle of the rank and file—the sickness, the scarcity of rations, and the brutal reality of battle—offering a grounded perspective on the Union’s long, difficult path to victory.

The Story

The narrative begins in the spring of 1861, as Colonel C. H. Frederick and Major David McGibbon organize the regiment in St. Louis. From these early days of recruitment and basic training, the regiment is quickly thrust into the volatile theater of Missouri. The arc of their service is characterized by constant movement, frequently defined by long, wearying marches through broken country and underprepared supply lines. The regiment experiences the chaos of early conflict, including the famous and daring charge of Zagonyi’s body-guard at Springfield, which serves as a catalyst for their growing commitment to the Union cause.

As the war expands, the Fifty-ninth finds itself caught in a cycle of pursuit and skirmish. The writing captures the relentless pressure of chasing Confederate forces, particularly the elusive General Price, through the rugged Ozark Mountains. The soldiers suffer from poor water, frequent illness, and the psychological toll of being isolated from news and home. The narrative does not shy away from the darker moments of the campaign, detailing the loss of life at Leetown and the harrowing aftermath of the battle at Mumfordsville, where soldiers faced hunger and exhaustion while marching in rags.

The story progresses through the brutal realities of the western theater. The regiment participates in major engagements and suffers significant losses, including the death of their own surgeon, Dr. Hazlett, who is killed while tending to the wounded. The account emphasizes the contrast between the soldiers’ rugged existence and the organized, often distant command of their superiors. Whether dealing with the destruction of property, the capture of their sutler by guerrillas, or the temporary relief of a quiet camp, the narrative remains centered on the perspective of the men on the ground.

As the months pass, the soldiers’ initial optimism is replaced by a stoic endurance. The narrative follows their movements across the Tennessee River, through the swamps of Corinth, and over the Cumberland Mountains. The final chapters observe the gradual thinning of their ranks as veterans reach the end of their terms. The story concludes with the departure of the non-veterans, who are finally discharged and sent home, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice. The closing pages reflect on the transition from active service to the long-term memory of the nation, honoring the "rough, wrinkled and brown" soldiers who bore the heaviest burden of the war.

How It Unfolds

The mobilization begins The regiment forms in St. Louis in the spring of 1861, overcoming significant administrative difficulties to equip and organize its first companies. Early days are spent in camp near the St. Louis arsenal, establishing the foundation of their military discipline.

The march across Missouri The narrative follows the regiment as it traverses the Missouri countryside, dealing with sickness and the logistical hurdles of chasing rebel forces. Camp life is a primary focus, illustrating the soldiers' reliance on makeshift supplies and the arrival of news from the outside world.

The struggle in Arkansas The focus shifts to the pursuit of Confederate armies into the difficult terrain of Arkansas, where the landscape provides as much of a challenge as the enemy. The regiment encounters severe weather and harsh conditions at Cross Hollows, marking a turning point in their endurance.

The heavy cost of battle Detailed accounts of the fighting at Leetown and other engagements underscore the human toll of the conflict. The narrative meticulously records the names of the fallen and wounded, grounding the history in personal loss and the grim work of the field hospital.

The long road to discharge The final movement follows the regiment through Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, tracking the exhaustion of the troops as their three-year term nears its end. The story concludes with the discharge process, offering a somber, reflective look at the soldiers’ return to civilian life.

The People

Colonel C. H. Frederick and Major David McGibbon emerge as the driving forces behind the regiment’s formation, sacrificing lucrative careers in St. Louis to answer the call of duty. Their leadership is defined by the immense effort required to organize and sustain the regiment during the uncertainty of the war’s early months.

Dr. Hazlett, the regimental surgeon, is a complex figure who balances high medical responsibility with a lack of rapport among the men. Known to some as "Tow-head" or "Quinine," he is a man of learning whose death, while tending to a wounded soldier, marks a moment of profound vulnerability for the regiment. His tragic end, including the looting of his personal effects, highlights the callousness that sometimes accompanied the violence of the battlefield.

General Curtis serves as the tactical anchor for the regiment, whose maneuvers dictate the exhausting pace of their marches. In contrast, figures like the guerrilla leader "Joe Peevy" represent the irregular, often lawless nature of the conflict in the border regions. The soldiers themselves—the "boys" of the Fifty-ninth—are the true protagonists. They are represented by individuals like William Workman or the nameless victims of sickness and skirmish, whose collective resilience and shared hardships form the moral center of the book.

In Its Own Voice

"The Surgeon of the regiment, Dr. Hazlett, had overlooked, or been deceived in the appearance of this young man at the morning examination, and had ordered him to march with the regiment."

This line describes the harsh reality of medical oversight during the early, disorganized marches through Missouri.

"There are some very noisy fellows in camp, and it seems as though they are always making the most noise when respect for others should keep them most quiet."

The author reflects on the varied temperaments of the men during a lull in the fighting near Corinth.

"When our army passed through the ground held by the rebels, during the attack, the dead were yet unburied."

This stark observation captures the grim atmosphere following the surrender at Mumfordsville.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book examines the transformation of civilian volunteers into seasoned instruments of war, exploring the profound gap between the high-level strategies of political leaders and the immediate, physical requirements of the soldier. It asks what constitutes true heroism, arguing that it lies not in the gold braid of officers, but in the endurance of the common man who suffers through mud, hunger, and loss without fanfare. The book also grapples with the morality of "military necessity," questioning the destruction of property and the harsh realities of occupation. Ultimately, it is a testament to the collective identity forged in the crucible of trauma, where the survival of the unit becomes the primary moral imperative.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the granular, unvarnished history of the Civil War will find this book essential. It does not offer the sweeping, romanticized narrative often found in later histories; instead, it feels like a long, steady conversation with a witness who saw the war’s ugly, repetitive, and exhausting reality. You will experience the sheer monotony of camp life, the sensory details of the Ozark wilderness, and the profound, quiet grief of a surgeon’s steward recording the names of men who would never go home.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the author’s period-specific perspectives. The language reflects the mid-19th-century worldview, including casual, sometimes blunt attitudes toward conflict and the people caught in the middle. The narrative is dense and often moves at the pace of an infantry march, meaning it requires patience. It is not an easy read; it is a heavy one. Yet, it stays with you precisely because of that weight. It transforms the abstraction of "the Fifty-ninth" into a group of living, breathing, and suffering people, reminding us that behind every historical casualty list was a man who, like the author, simply wished for the return of spring and the comfort of home.