The Sixtieth Infantry Illinois volunteers was organized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Illinois, February 17, 1862, by Colonel Silas C. Toler.
February 22d, ordered to Cairo, Illinois, March 14, moved to Island No. 10. After the surrender, returned to Columbus and to Cairo. May 7th, moved up Tennessee River to Hamburg Landing, arriving on the 12th. Was assigned to Second Brigade, First Division, Army of the Mississippi, Colonel Charles M. Lynn, Tenth Michigan, commanding Brigade.
Was engaged in the siege of Corinth, May, 1862, and in pursuit of the enemy beyond to Tuscumbia, Ala.; ordered to Nashville, August 28th, and arrived September 12th. Remained during the siege, all communications being cut off until November 8th. On the 7th of November, was engaged in repelling the attack of General Morgan on Edgefield. December 12th, transferred to Second Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps.
January 5, 1863, had a skirmish with Wheeler's cavalry, between Nashville and Murfreesboro, repulsing them. After the battle of Murfreesboro returned to Nashville.
On the 2d of March, Colonel Toler died.
July 20th, moved to Murfreesboro, Lieutenant Colonel W. B. Anderson commanding. On the 26th of August moved, via Columbia, Athens, Huntsville and Stevenson, arriving at Dallas, TN, Nov. 12. The Regiment was here assigned to First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and participated in the battle of Chattanooga and the memorable march to Knoxville, Tenn. The ragged and footsore Regiment arrived again at Chattanooga, Dec. 24, and went into winter quarters at Rossville. Feb. 22, 1864, three-fourths of the Regiment having re-enlisted as veteran volunteers, were mustered. 26th, took part in the reconnoissance toward Dalton, Ga., which resulted in the battle of Buzzard Roost. In this battle the Sixtieth lost heavily, 42 being killed and wounded.
March 6th, ordered to Illinois on veteran furlough. The men were furloughed from Centralia, IL, March 15, 1864.
On the 18th of April, 1864, moved, via Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga, to Rossville. On May 2d, commenced to Atlanta campaign, and participated in the battles of Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. The Regiment was complimented by Division and Corps commanders for it gallantry at Jonesboro, Sept. 1st.
Remained in camp at Atlanta until Sept. 29, 1864, when it moved, by rail, via Athens, Ala., to Florence. Had a skirmish with the enemy, driving him across the Tennessee at Florence. October 10th moved to Chattanooga. October 18th, marched from Lafayette, Ga., to Galesville, Ala., and from thence to Atlanta, via Rome, Kingston, Carterville and Marietta.
November 16th marched from Atlanta, on the Augusta road, via Covington, Milledgeville, Sandersville, Louisville and thence to Savannah, Ga., arriving at the outer defences December 11, 1864. During the march foraged liberally off the country, and captured many mules and horses. Many negroes left the plantation and followed us.
December 21, 1864, marched into Savannah. Colonel W. B. Anderson having resigned, Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Evans took command.
January 20th, broke camp at Savannah and marched via Sister's Ferry, Barnwell, Lexington, Columbia, Winnsboro, Chesterfield and Hanging Rock, South Carolina and Feyette, Averysboro and Bentonville, to Goldsboro, North Carolina. Participated in the battle of Averysboro March 16th, and Bentonville 19th, 20th and 21st of March. The battle of the 19th was as severe as any in which the Regiment was engaged - at one time it being surrounded on all sides, but behaved gallantly.
Marched to Raleigh, April 10th, and remained there until Johnson's surrender, when it marched to Richmond, Va., and Washington City, arriving May 19th. Participated in the grand review May 24, 1865.
June 13th, procedded to Louisville, Ky., and there performed duty as provost guards, headquarters Fourteenth Army Corps, until July 31st, when it was mustered out of United States service by Captain R. Papst, A.C.M. Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and procedded to Camp Butler, Ill., for final payment and discharge.