The Forty-ninth Infantry Illinois was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, December 31, 1861, by Colonel William R. Morrison.
February 3, 1862, ordered to Cairo, Illinois; 8th, moved to Fort Henry, and was assigned to Third Brigade, McClernand's Division; 11th, moved to Fort Donelson; 13th, engaged the enemy, losing 14 killed and 37 wounded. Among the wounded was Colonel Morrison, commanding Brigade. Remained at Donelson until March 4, when moved to Metal Landing, and, 6th, embarked for Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Disembarked at Savannah; 21st, moved to Pittsburg Landing.
Was engaged in battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862, losing 17 killed and 99 wounded. Among the latter were Lieutenant Colonel Pease, commanding Regiment, and Major Bishop. Was engaged in the siege of Corinth, and, on the 4th of June, moved to Bethel, and was assigned to Brigadier General John A. Logan's First Division, District of Jackson, Major General John A. McClernand commanding.
August 21, moved to Helena, Arkansas, to join General F. Steel's expedition against Little Rock, Arkansas; 28th, assigned to Brigade of Colonel True, and September 2, joined the main army at Brownsville, Arkansas. November 10, participated in the capture of Little Rock; 15th moved by rail, to Duvall's Bluff, and from thence returned to Memphis, arriving November 21, 1863.
January 15, 1864, three-fourths of the Regiment re-enlisted, and were mustered as veteran volunteers. Assigned to Third Brigade, Colonel S.H. Wolf; Third Division, Brigadier General A.J. Smith, of the Sixteenth Army Corps.
January 27, moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and accompanied Major General Sherman in the Meridian campaign, returning to Vicksburg March 3.
March 10, assigned to Red River expedition: 14th participated in the capture of Fort DeRussey, Louisiana. April 9, engaged in the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Returned to Memphis June 10, 1864.
June 24, ordered to Illinois for veteran furlough. The detachment of non-veterans remained, commanded by Captain John A. Logan, participating in the battle of Tupelo, July 14 and 15, 1864.
After expiration of veteran furlough, rendezvoused at Centralia, Illinois, and proceeded via Cairo and Memphis to Holly Springs, rejoining the command. August 12, participating in the Oxford expedition and returned to Memphis August 20.
Embarked for Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and arrived September 30. Moved to Franklin, and drove the enemy from the place. Moved with the army in pursuit of General Price, and returned to St. Louis November 18, 1864.
Arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, December 1. Took part in the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16. December 24, ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, to muster out the non-veterans, since which time the Regiment has been doing garrison duty.
Mustered out, September 9, 1865, at Paducah, Kentucky, and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, September, 15, 1865, for final payment and discharge.