At Jefferson, Texas the company voted to make the 77th Illinois the official Union impression for the 19th Texas Infantry. As a member of General Huckabee's brigade we will be called upon more often to portray Federals and we can now take pride in portraying the yanks who were virtually destroyed by the 19th Texas at Mansfield, Louisiana!

77th  Illinois  Infantry  Regimental  Flag

77th  Illinois  Infantry  National  Flag

This national flag is inscribed: Co. C 77th Reg. Ill. Vol.

A Short History of the Regiment

This regiment was mustered in to the United States services Sept. 3, 1862 in Peoria IL, remained in camp there until Oct. 4th. It then proceeded by rail to Kentucky, where they disembarked, and proceeded on foot, because of the possibility of the train being sabotaged in unfriendly territory. It proceeded to Covington, and reported to Major-General Gordon Granger. Nov 20, 1862 the regiment embarked on steamer for Memphis; remaining there until Dec. 20th. The division was reorganized and reported to Major-General Sherman. Embarked at Memphis on the 20th and proceeded down the river with Shermans army for the capture of Vicksburg. The 77th occupied the extreme right of the line, and participated in the attack on the rebel works. After four days fighting the attack was abandoned, and the army proceeded to Millikens Bend La. Left there Jan. 5, 1863 and arrived at Arkansas Post on the 10th. Participated in the assault on the following morning, after a few hours hard fighting carried the place, capturing all it contained. The loss of the regiment there was 6 killed and 39 wounded some of the later, mortally. The regiment in this battle behaved admirably and was complimented by the commanding general for its gallant conduct.

The regiment remained with General Grant’s army during the entire campaign around Vicksburg, and the siege of the latter place, until its surrender. It was engaged in the action at Champion Hills May 17; Black River Bridge, May 19; first charge on Vicksburg, the 22nd and 23rd; losing in these engagements 20 killed, 86 wounded, and 26 missing. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th of July, and the next day the regiment marched to Jackson, with the army under Sherman. Arrived July 9, and was under fire of the enemy at that place until the 16th, when Jackson was evacuated, and the 77th returned to Vicksburg, where it remained until Aug 25, when it embarked for New Orleans, where it remained until Oct 3. Left New Orleans at that time for western Louisiana; marched up the Red River, driving the enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was reached, on the 8th of April 1864, where it meet the enemy in force. The 77th belonged to the division under Gen. Ransom, which was ordered forward to support the advanced calvery. Before the army could be brought forward to their support the whole rebel army came down on them and overwhelmed the whole division. In this engagement, where the foe immediately to their front was the 19th Texas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Waterhouse commanding,  the 77th suffered terribly; Lieut. Col. Webb was killed instantly, besides 176 officers and men killed, wounded and made prisoners, leaving only 125 men in the regiment for duty. On the next day Gen. A.J. Smith’s corps came up, and at Pleasant Hills another battle was fought, ending in the tactical defeat of the rebels.

The regiment was with Gen. Canby’s army during the entire siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Blakely, and Mobile, and was under fire the whole time. It remained at Mobile until July 10, 1865 at which time it was mustered out of the service.