The Gallant 15th of Illinois: A Civil War Story through the Eyes of the Men

The 15th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was the first 3 year service Regiment to be mustered in from Illinois, the second in the entire Union. On May 24, 1861, ten companies from ten towns in Northern Illinois: Lena, Polo, Warren, Mt. Carroll, Rockford, Belvidere, Woodstock, Marengo, Algonquin and Waukegan met at Camp Scott in Freeport, Illinois.

And where was Camp Scott? In 1961, the citizens of Freeport were unsure of it's location as letters to the editor of the Freeport Journal debated the location. This talk will divulge the location of Camp Scott.

Their enlistment takes them to Missouri, then to the Battle of Shiloh where their ranks are decimated in the "Hornet's Nest". Next is Corinth, and Vicksburg, The Battle of the Hatchie and the stories of finding a baby on the battlefield, Allatoona Pass where a number are captured and sent to Andersonville Prison, The March to the Sea, and finally The Grand Review.

Who were these men? Learn their life stories: a few as young as thirteen, from farm boys to prominent businessmen, learn their impressions of the war in their own words.