William R. Ussery 1847-

Residence:  Johnson County

Age:  18

Height:  5'6"

Hair:  Dark

Eyes:  Blue

Complexion:  Light

Marital status:  Single

Occupation:  Farmer

This Regiment was organized at a time when there was an immediate demand for soldiers in the field. Permission had been given Colonel John G. Hardy, and Colonel George W. McKeaig, each to raise a regiment. The first was assigned the number One Hundred and Twentieth and the other One Hundred and Thirty-second. Colonel Hardy recruited seven companies - A, B, C, E, G, I and K - and went into camp at Vienna, Aug. 13, 1862. Colonel McKeaig recruiting three companies, D, F and H, and went into camp at Shawneetown, August 15.

In September, both organizations were ordered to Camp Butler, and soon after their arrival there, they were, at the request of Governor Yates, consolidated as the One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry, and it was mustered into the United States service October 28, by Lieutenant E. M. Curtis.

In the consolidation of the Regiment, Colonel George W. McKeaig, of the One Hundred and Thirty-second, was given the Colonelcy and Bluford Wilson, of the same organization was made Adjutant, while all the other field officers were taken from the One Hundred and Thirty-second.

The first order received for actual duty was from Colonel Fonda, which was to guard the railroad bridge at "Jimtown". which duty was performed until November 9, when the Regiment left for Alton; thence it moved to St. Louis on steamer Stephen Decatur, and reported to General Halleck from whom orders were received to report without delay to General Sherman at Memphis. Upon our arrival there General Sherman assigned the Regiment to the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, General Morgan L. Smith commanding the Division.

November 26, it was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Pickering. While engaged in this line of duty, the men were attacked with small pox, measles, pneumonia and other diseases, and it kept the well busy, caring for the sick and burying the dead. As high as seven persons died out of Company D in one week, and the mortality was not much less in other companies.

From Fort Pickering the Regiment was assigned to provost duty in Memphis for a few days and then it took charge of the United States Navy Yard, and to picket Wolfe River from its mouth for a mile and a half.

About the 13th of January 1863, the Eighth Wisconsin, Ninth Minnesota, and the One Hundred and Twentieth, under Colonel Wilcox of the Ninth Minnesota, was transported to Hopesdale, Ark., from there we marched about fifteen miles during the night, striking a rebel recruiting camp near Marion, Ark., a little after sun up, capturing a lieutenant and twenty men on picket. A brisk skirmish followed in which the enemy was soon routed. Company E, of the One Hundred and Twentieth, captured two pet bears belonging to the enemy. After completely destroying the camp the command returned to Memphis, where the One Hundred and Twentieth resumed provost and garrison duty.

Buried in the "old soldiers" section of Anna City Cemetery, Anna, IL (Union County).  His brother John T. Ussery is buried next to him.