The Forty-Second Infantry was organized at Chicago, Illinois, July 22, 1861, by Colonel William A. Webb.
Moved to St. Louis, September 21, 1861. Joined Major General Hunter at Tipton, Missouri, October 18, 1861, and was assigned to Colonel Palmer's Brigade. Arrived at Warsaw, October 25. Moved November 1, at 10 o'clock P.M., and reached Springfield, Missouri, a distance of 97 miles, at 4 o'clock P.M., on the 4th. Moved from Springfield, 9th, and went into winter quarters at Smithton, Missouri, December 13.
Marched from Smithton, February 3, 1862, to St. Charles, Missouri. Arrived at Fort Holt, Kentucky, February 20. Occupied Columbus, March 4, 1862. Moved to Island No. 10, March 15, and was engaged until its surrender, on the 11th April. Colonel Roberts, with 50 men of Company A, spiked 6 guns of the enemy on the night of April 1.
On the night of April 4, 1861, Captain Jno. A. Hottenstein with 20 men of Company H, ran the blockade at Island No. 10, on the gunboat "Corondelet", commanded by Captain Walke. Joined General Pope's Army, 11th. Moved to Fort Pillow, 14th. Moved to Hamburg, Tenn., arriving April 22. Was engaged in the siege of Corinth. Engaged in the battle of Farmington,
May 9, 1862, losing 2 killed, 12 wounded, and 3 missing. Led the advance in pursuit of Beauregard's Army to Baldwin, Mississippi.
The Forty-second occupied Cortland, Alabama, from July 25, until September 3, 1862, when it left for Nashville, Tenn., via Decatur, Alabama. Had a battle at Columbia, Tenn., September 9, 1862, and lost one man killed. Enemy reported 18 killed and 45 wounded. Arrived at Nashville, September 13.
Remained in Nashville during the siege. December 10, marched out six miles on the Nolensville pike. December 26, engaged in the Murfreesboro campaign. Skirmished with the enemy December 30, and was engaged in the battle of Stone River, December 31, with a loss of 22 killed, 116 wounded, and 85 prisoners.
March 5, 1863, engaged in the pursuit of Van Dorn to Columbia, returning to camp at Murfreesboro, 14th. June 24, entered upon the Tullahoma campaign. July 31, camped at Bridgeport, Alabama. September 2, engaged in the Chattanooga campaign. Marched to Alpine, Georgia, thence to Trenton, and crossed Lookout Mountain. Engaged September 19 and 20, in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, loosing 28 killed, 128 wounded, and 28 prisoners, and retreated to Chattanooga.
November 28, engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge, losing 5 killed and 40 wounded, the Forty-second being on the skirmish line during the whole engagement. Pursued the enemy to Chickamauga Creek, and returned. November 28, entered East Tennessee campaign.
December 27, camped at Stone's Mill.
January 1, 1864, Regiment re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer organization. January 15, moved to Danbridge. 21st, started for Chattanooga, arriving February 2. 21st, moved, by rail, for Chicago.
March 2, the were furloughed. Returned, April 2. Arrived at Chattanooga, April 27.
Entered Atlanta campaign, May 3. Was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy Station, encamping at Atlanta, September 8. Total loss on the campaign, 20 killed, 89 wounded, and 7 prisoners. September 25, moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, by rail; October 19, by rail to Chattanooga, and thence marched to Alpine, Georgia. Returned, October 30. Moved by rail, to Athens, Ala., and marched to Pulaski, Tennessee, arriving November 5. November 22, commenced retreat for Nashville, engaging with the enemy at Spring Hill and Franklin, and losing 24 killed, 95 wounded, and 30 prisoners. Arrived at Nashville, December 1.
December 15 and 16, 1864, engaged in the battle of Nashville, losing 2 killed and 11 wounded. Pursued the enemy 82 miles, camping at Lexington, Alabama, December 31. January 1, 1865, marched, via Huntsville, to Decatur, Alabama, arriving January 6. April 1, left Decatur, and proceeded, by rail, to Bull's Gap, Tennessee, and thence marched to Blue Springs, arriving April 6. Returned to Bull's Gap, April 19, and proceeded by rail to Nashville.
June 15, moved, by rail, to Johnsonville, Tennessee, and thence, by water, to New Orleans, and camped at Chalmette, June 23. July 18, proceeded to Port Lavaca, Texas; disembarked, July 23, and proceeded to Camp Irwin. August 17, returned to Lavaca, and went on post duty.
December 16, 1865, mustered out and left Indianola, 20th. Left New Orleans, 24th, and arrived at Camp Butler, January 3, 1866.
January 12, 1866, received final payment and discharge.