re to the Eighty-sixth a band of faithful
brothers.

The author acknowledges himself indebted to Colonel Fahnestock, Major
Thomas, Captain Major, and Acting Adjutant Loveland, for the kind
assistance and encouragement they have given him in preparing this
history for publication, and to them he attributes the merit of this
work, if it possesses merit.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ORGANIZATION AND MARCH TO NASHVILLE--ABOUT NASHVILLE 9-18

CHAPTER II.

MARCH TO CHATTANOOGA--THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA 19-28

CHAPTER III.

MISSION RIDGE AND KNOXVILLE 29-36

CHAPTER IV.

ABOUT CHATTANOOGA 37-46

CHAPTER V.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATLANTA 47-71

CHAPTER VI.

TO THE REAR 72-78

CHAPTER VII.

RAID TO THE SEA 79-91

CHAPTER VIII.

RAID THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA--BATTLES OF AVERYSBORO
AND BENTONVILLE 92-108

CHAPTER IX.

CAPTURE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMY 109-114

CHAPTER X.

HOMEWARD BOUND 115-125

REGIMENTAL ROSTER 126-128

CAPTAIN BURKHALTER'S ADVENTURE 129-130

SOLDIERS' LETTERS 131-132

BATTLE 133-134

FARMING IN THE SOUTH 135-137

REBEL LETTER 138-139

HISTORY.

CHAPTER I.

ORGANIZATION, AND MARCH TO NASHVILLE--ABOUT NASHVILLE.

The Eighty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry was organized
at Peoria in the latter part of August, 1862. David D. Irons was made
Colonel; David W. Magee, Lieutenant-Colonel; J. S. Bean, Major, and J.
E. Prescott, Adjutant.

On the 26th of August the captains of the several companies drew lots
for the letters of their companies, and on the next day the regiment
was mustered into the United States service for the period of three
years or during the war. On the 29th of the same month it received one
month's pay, amounting to thirteen dollars. Nothing more of importance
occurred until the 6th of Septembe