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The 51st and 65th Regiments
Pat Fanning Immigrants to the United States in the 1860s found themselves in the middle of a terrible war that was dividing their new nation. Many of these immigrants joined the fight, committing themselves to the Union or the Confederacy, willing to die for their cause. These people were eager to prove their loyalty to their newfound country through their bravery, courage, and valor in battle. The 51st and 65th Illinois infantries exemplified such prowess in war. They fought with an inspiration and desire equaled by few other regiments. The 51st Regiment of Illinois Infantry Volunteers, also known as "Ryan's Guard," was organized at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois, on December 24, 1861, by Colonel Gilbert W. Gumming. Irishmen made up 69 percent of the troops in the regiment, with the rest of the men being from various other backgrounds. The 65th Regiment of the Illinois Infantry was largely volunteers, known as the "Scotch Regiment," and was organized at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois, in the spring of 1862 by Colonel Daniel Cameron, Jr. The regiment was mustered into the United States service on May 1, 1862. This regiment was 74 percent Scotch with the majority of the other 26 percent being German. The 51st Regiment of Illinois Infantry Volunteers commenced the Atlanta campaign on May 9, 1864, when it engaged the enemy at Rocky Face Ridge. This campaign entailed many small conflicts that led to the eventual fall of Atlanta to the Union. They fought at Kennesaw Mountain, where they lost fifty-four men. Among them, Adjutant Henry W. Hall and Lieutenant A. V. McCormack were killed. One month later, the regiment was in combat at Peach Tree Creek. During the siege of Atlanta, the unit was engaged at Jonesboro, where it lost two men, and at Lovejoy, where it lost three. The regiment marched into Atlanta on September 8. During the entire campaign, the regiment had three officers killed, four wounded, and had one hundred and five men killed and wounded. The 51st mustered out on September 25, 1865, at Camp Irwin, Texas, and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, on October 15, 1865, for their final payment and discharge. On June 15, 1864, with the advance of Sherman's army the 65th positioned to the right of the XXIII Corps, was engaged between the Kennesaw and Lost mountains. The Confederate army fell back and the next day the 65th was checked by a deep, impassable creek. Confederates held the only passable bridge with artillery and infantry. Volunteers were called in and fifty men from the 65th stepped forward to lead a charge across the bridge. The unit drove the enemy back and held the position until the remainder of the regiment crossed. Throughout July and August, the unit was engaged in numerous other skirmishes, some rather severe. On August 18, Captain Dunquid, with four companies under his command, drove a larger Confederate force for more than four miles. On March 6, 1865, the 65th regiment broke camp and moved to Kinston, where the first five companies, except for veterans, were sent to Chicago to muster out. From Kinston the regiment marched to Raleigh, where the remaining nonveterans mustered out. On July 13, 1865, the entire regiment mustered out and started home, arriving at Chicago on July 22, where they received their final payment discharge on July 26, 1865. The 51st and 65th regiments fought passionately with an unyielding commitment to their cause. These men were determined to help their cause, and they were willing to die to prove themselves to their new country. This type of dedication was crucial to the Union's victory in the war and showed how much the immigrants in America wanted a place in American society.—[From Jacob O. Cox, The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864; Fredrick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of Rebellion; J. N. Reece, Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, vols. 3 and 4; Richard Sommers, Richmond Redeemed.]
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