The Seventy-first Illinois Infantry was mustered into United States' sevice July 26, 1862 at Camp Douglas, Ill., for three months. The Regiment moved the next day for Cairo, Ill., leaving two companies enroute at "Big Muddy Bridge," on the Illinois Central Railroad. The Regiment remained ten days at Cairo when it was ordered to Columbus, Ky., where the men, mostly from the Northern part of Illinois, suffered severely from the sudden change of climate. Two more companies were detached from the Regiment and stationed at Mound City, Ill. In short time the remainder of the Regiment, six companies, was divided. Colonel Gilbert with three companies was ordered to Moscow, Ky., and Lieutenant Colonel Burnsides with three companies was ordered to Little Obion Bridge to guard bridges and railroad tracks.

Upon completion of its term of sevice the Regiment rendezvoused at Chicago, Ill., where it was mustered out October 29, 1862