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History of the 114^th Infantry Regiment Illinois Volunteers

The One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois and was mustered into Federal service on September 18, 1862.  Eight hundred and ninety-five officers and enlisted men from Cass, Menard, and Sangamon counties were accepted into service with the unit. 

Less than two months later, on November 8, 1862, the unit embarked for Memphis, Tennessee, for active service.  The Regiment joined the First Division of the 15^th Army Corps under Generals Grant and Sherman and subsequently saw action throughout the South.

During its term of service, the 114^th Infantry Regiment Illinois Volunteers participated in more than 35 various skirmishes, engagements, and battles including the siege of Vicksburg.  The Regiment was mustered out of the United States Service on August 3, 1965.  It arrived back at Camp Butler, Illinois, on August 7, receiving final payment and discharge on August 15, 1865. 

The 114^th Infantry Regiment served (like all the other federal forces) for the preservation of the Union.  Unlike the other regiments which passed into history and out of existence, the 114^th has been reactivated for a new purpose.  Now the 114^th serves not as a fighting unit, but as a patriotic organization, serving this country, state, county and city to honor those men who gave their lives to maintain the land of the free and home of the brave. 

Since 1969, the 114^th Infantry Regiment Illinois Volunteers has been a living symbol of the Civil War heritage of the State of Illinois.  In 1968, a handful of patriotic men became concerned that some of the rich history of this area would be lost.  This initial concern eventually culminated in the creation of the modern 114^th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers.  On January 10, 1969, Governor Samuel Shapiro officially reactivated the Regiment to represent the “noble heritage passed on by those Illinois men who, over a century ago, fought for their beliefs and tradition as free men.”


TODAY

 

Today, this Regiment serves the Illinois community in many ways:

Ř     participating in public functions as a ceremonial guard

Ř     portraying the lives and beliefs of our courageous forebearers in reenactments held both in Illinois and outside of the state

Ř     sponsoring a college scholarship to central Illinois students. 

When needed, it functions as the Governor’s Honor Guard and has welcomed visiting Presidents to central Illinois. 

Performing formal flag retreat ceremonies on Tuesday evenings during the summer months (June, July, August) has been one of the Unit’s most fulfilling duties.  Members of the Regiment have appeared in the movie “Glory,” the television series “North and South,” and other programs and Civil War reenactments.