Miles Hicks 1839-1928

Joined August 13, 1862 at Hardin County, IL. (joined with brother George and soon to be brother-in-law James Carlisle)

Joined by Cpt. Hobbs.

Mustered into service on November 13, 1862.

Private.

Company F, 131st IL Infantry.

Consolidated into Company D, 131st IL Infantry.

Transferred to Company C, 29th IL Infantry on October 30, 1863.

Discharged July 19, 1865 at Springfield, IL.

Residence:  Hardin County, IL

Age:  22

Height:  5'9"

Hair:  Light

Eyes:  Blue

Complexion:  Light

Marital status:  Married

Occupation:  Farmer

***picture below of Miles Hicks, wife Rebecah, and daughter Martha.... photo courtesy of Cousin Ron Hicks

The One Hundred and Thirty-first Infantry was composed of men from the counties of Hamilton, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope and Massac.  They were enlisted during the months of July and August, 1862.  By order of Govenor Richard Yates, it was organized and went into camp at old Fort Massac, Massac county, Illinois, in September, 1862, and remained there in camp until November 18, when it was mustered into the United States service. The Regiment then numbered 815 men, excluding officers.

While at Fort Massac the Regiment was without tents, camps equipage or guns, except a few inferior guns borrowed for use in guard duty and squad drill, but notwithstanding its limited outfit, the guard duty and squad drill was kept up.  During this time the measles broke out in camp, and about 100 of the men were prostrated therewith, nearly all of whom either died or were afterwards discharged for disability caused thereby.

After the Regiment was mustered into the service, it was ordered to hold itself in readiness to proceed to Memphis, Tenn., which order was received with joy by all the men, notwithstanding quite a number of them were sick at the time.

On December 2 it embarked on the steamboat Iowa, and proceeded to Cairo, where the men were furnished with guns of inferior quality, being the Harper's Ferry flintlock guns, and three different sizes in caliber, altered for caps, which were received under protest.  The Regiment then went on same boat to Memphis, arriving there December 7.  It reported to General Hurlbut, and was ordered into camp about two and a half miles southeast of the city, where it found quarters in old stables and outbuildings.  Tents were then issued, and a portion of the guns were exchanged for Springfield rifles.  The Regiment was assigned to General Landrum's Brigade of General A. J. Smith's Division of General Sherman's Corps, being the Second Brigade of the First Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, which was then preparing to move on Vicksburg.

On December 20 the Regiment again embarked on the steamboat Iowa and took position in the fleet, and moved down the Mississippi.  Landed at Milliken's Bend, La., on December 24, where the Regiment was engaged in picket duty until December 27, when it again embarked on the same boat, and with a portion of the fleet moved up the Yazoo River to near Haines' Bluff, where it took part in the engagement at that place, which ended January 1, 1863.  It was then returned on board the transports, and that night the whole fleet was ordered to Milliken's Bend, where it remained until January 4.

General John A. McClernand now taking command of the Corps, it started on an expedition against Arkansas Post, moving up the Mississippi on the transports to the mouth of White River, thence through the pass and up the Arkansas River about thirty miles to within about three miles of Arkansas Post, where it disembarked about noon of January 10.  The One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment then marched until about 11 o'clock at night, only making a distance of four miles, the march being through swamps covered with underbrush and fallen timber; then coming to a halt, it formed in line of battle and remained so until daylight next morning.  During all this time a snow and rain storm raged unceasingly, and the soldiers were drenched to the skin.  On the following day a greater portion of the Regiment was engaged on detached duty, assisting heavy artillery through the swamps; the remainder continued in line of battle on the extreme left. This point the enemy shelled continuously during a greater part of the day, with the view of driving the Union forces from this portion of the woods, and making their escape through the same; but failing to do this, the shelling ceased about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

The actual fighting at Arkansas Post lasted only about four hours, when the fort with its entire forces surrendered.

The Regiment remained at this point four days, burying the dead, filling ditches, and demolishing fortifications; during all of which time it was exposed to one continuous storm of rain and snow.  On January 15th it again embarked on the steamboat Iowa and headed toward Vicksburg.  On January 23rd, landed at Young's Point, and two days later disembarked and went into camp on a spot surrounded by a levee.  Here the rain poured down almost incessantly; the river was out of its bank, the surface of the river striking the outside of the levee was twelve inches higher than the ground emcamped on.  While here every man at all able for duty either worked to his full capacity with pick, shovel and axe in the canal through which it was expected to turn the river, or did duty on the picket lines, when to get to their posts on the picket lines they were compelled to wade in water to their waists.  A large number of the men while encamped here were prostrated with sickness, some with measles, some with small pox and some with pneumonia; and the regimental surgeon was unable for duty, and each day those free from sickness had the sad duty to perform of burying from one to five of their companions in the levee, who had died of disease.  The Regiment remained at this point--its ranks continuing to be lessened by disease and death--until March 2, 1863, when by order of General McClernand, it embarked on steamer Westwind for Memphis to recruit its health.  Arrived at Memphis March 6th and went into camp at Ft. Pickering where they remained until May 9th.

The Regiment was now greatly improved in health and spirits, but its ranks only numbered about 400 men, the rest having been killed, died, or disabled and sent to hospitals.  On May 10th it left Memphis on steamboat Golden Era for its third voyage to Vicksburg, accompanied by a gunboat and steamers Crescent City and Warren, which had on board the Sixty-third, Eighty-seventh and One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Regiments.  When near the foot of Island No. 82, The Golden Era, being in advance and running near the shore was fired into by a band of about 100 guerrillas, who were secreted behind drift logs on the bank, wounding one man fatally and two slightly, and killing a mule.  The men returned the fire but with what effect could not be told, as the band disappeared at the sight of a little cloud of smoke that floated up from the port hole of the gunboat, which was a short distance in the rear.  The Regiment arrived at Sherman's landing on May 12th, and then on the 17th moved up to Milliken's Bend, and relieved the Thirtieth Ohio that was on duty there, and remained there guarding army supplies from the numerous guerrilla bands which infested that locality  until May 24th, when it returned to Sherman's Landing on steamer Fanny Bullett and encamped in full view of the city of Vicksburg.  A part of the Regiment then did duty on the picket line on the point opposite Vicksburg, and the balance in manning mortar boats.

On June 7, the One Hundred and Thirty-first, together with the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, was ordered to Milliken's Bend to support a colored regiment of about 300 or 400 men, and 120 men of the Twenty-third Iowa, who had been attacked by about 1200 rebels.  In five minutes after the first tap of the drum, the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment was in line and in ten minutes they were on board the transports, the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment soon following and in about one hour they were in line of battle at the Bend, but the rebels had retreated at sight of the gunboats.  The Regiment remained there two days expecting an attack, but as none was made it was again ordered to Sherman's Landing, where it continued on its picket duty and manning mortar boats until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.  Shortly after the surrender it moved to the city, and on July 20 it embarked for Paducah, Ky.  Arrived there July 27 and went into camp until October 15, doing picket and camp duty and drilling.

On September 16, 1863, in compliance with a general order, the Regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies, and the Colonel, Major, Surgeon, Chaplain, ten officers of the line, and all surplus non-commissioned officers were mustered out, leaving the four companies full to the maximum and well officered, with Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Peter in command.

The Battlion had but little time to drill, being constantly on picket duty, and on October 15 was ordered by General A. J. Smith to move by rail to Mayfield, Ky., there to be joined by a company of cavalry and three pieces of artillery, all to move under command of Lieutenant Colonel Peter, to Murry, Ky., twelve miles southeast of Mayfield, and to go into camp and fortify at that point to give protection to the Union people there, who had been harassed by frequent raids of guerrilla bands, and were then expecting an attack from General Forrest, who was reported within twelve miles with 500 to 600 men.  The Regiment with about 200 men able for duty moved promptly and arrived at Mayfield on the 15th, but no cavalry or artillery reported to join it.  Although by the failure of the cavalry and artillery to report, it left the Regiment at a great disadvantage, the forces which it expected to meet outnumbering it three to one, still nothing daunted, it moved on to Murry, where it arrived on the afternoon of the 16th, and hastily threw up temporary works in anticipation of an onset that night, but no attack was made that night, and next day, assisted by 50 negroes, they constructed such works as would enable them to repel the expected assault.  The soldiers, however, were much disappointed as no attack was made.

On October 20 the Regiment received orders to move without delay to Calloway Landing on Tennessee River, and there take shipment for Vicksburg. It arrived at Calloway Landing on October 21, and shipped on steamboat Masonic Gen., and arrived at Vicksburg on October 29, and was then ordered by General Leggett to go into camp in the rear of the city and to clean up guns, arrange camps, etc., which order was promptly obeyed.  After a few days spent in drilling, the Regiment received order No 90, requiring the One Hundred and Thirty-first to consolidate with the Twenty-ninth Regiment, and by General Order No. 261, the consolidation was made; the men of the One Hundred and Thirty-first being placed in the different companies of the Twenty-ninth Regiment to fill them up, and all camp and garrison equipage and all quartermaster stores were turned over to the Quartermaster of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, on Nov. 14, 1863.

On December 26, 1863, Lieutenant Colonel R. A., Captains Thomas S. Woodward, James H. Young, Eugene B. Cropper, LaFayette Furtchell, and Lieutenant Calvin Mason resigned.

Thus ends the history of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment as a separate body.  While it was not its fortune, of misfortune, as you may choose to term it, to meet the enemy face to face in many conflicts, or to be tested in the crucible of a pitched battle, still its record is one to be proud of.  The men who composed the Regiment were of the bravest character, and they never shrank from any duty imposed upon them.  Whenever an order was given, it was promptly obeyed and executed with a will. Although no large number of the men were pierced by rebel bullets, still the death and disability list was very large on account of sickness, induced and brought on by exposure made necessary by the very nature of the duty and work assigned them.

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(29th IL Infantry)

October 19, the One Hundred and Thirty-first Illinois Volunteers was consolidated with the Twenty-ninth, and Lieutenant Colonel Kent promoted Colonel, vice Colonel Ferrell, resigned.

December 1st, 1863, moved to Natchez, and remained on garrison duty.

In January 1864, the Regiment re-enlisted, and was mustered as veterans, and, July 19, received veteran furlough from Springfield, Ill.

Moved from Springfield, August 22, 1864; arrived at Natchez the last of the month, and remained until October, when moved to mouth of White river, having been assigned to Third Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division of West Mississippi. A short time afterward was ordered to Memphis, and thence to Paducah, arriving October 20, 1864, for protection of Kentucky from enemy's cavalry, which appeared on the border.

November 26, embarked for Memphis, camping in that city November 29. December 21, marched with expedition into the interior of Tennessee. Hard marching, cold weather and bad roads. Returned December 31. January 1, 1865, embarked for New Orleans. Camped above the city at Kenner, on the 5th. February 11th, assigned to Third Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, Colonel Kent commanding Brigade and Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Callicott commanding Regiment. Embarked for Mobile. Landed at Dauphin Island on 15th February. March 17, embarked for Fort Morgan, and, landing, bivouacked on the beach. During eight succeeding days, were toiling over almost impassable roads to Spanish Fort, arriving on the 26th. Took an active part in the siege. Moved to Fort Blakely, arriving April 2, and was engaged in the whole siege, supporting the charge made by our Second Brigade, on the 9th, which resulted in the capture of the entire rebel army. Regiment lost, during the campaign, 26 men, killed and wounded.

April 10, marched for Mobile. Arrived 12th, and remained in camp. June 26, embarked on steamship Scott, for Texas. Arrived off Galveston, July 1. The sea being quite rough, two or three days were required to disembark. Soon after ordered to Millican, Texas, on Texas Central railroad, arriving on the 9th.

July 26, Regimental headquarters moved to Hempstead-two companies remaining at Millican, two at Brenham, and one at Beaumont.

The Regiment being in Provisional Division, Department of Texas, Major General F. Steele commanding. The Regiment reported to Major General J. A. Mower, commanding Eastern District of Texas, until November 6, 1865, when it was mustered out of the United States service by Lieutenant B. W. Ladd, Ninety-eighth Ohio, and A.C.M.

Placed en route for the State, November 8, and arrived 26th, receiving final pay and discharge, November 28, 1865.

Died June 12, 1928 in Hardin County, IL.

Buried in Lavender Cemetery, Hardin County, IL.

Obituary for Miles Hicks by Sadie Shewmaker of the Hardin County Independent.

ELIZABETHTOWN, IL.  (June 28, 1928) ---  The deceased, Miles Hicks, was born November 5, 1839 departed this life June 12, 1928, being 88 years, 7 months, and 7 days old.  He enlisted to the call of his country for volunteers at an early age and did all he could to do to protect our nation.  He was married to Rebecca McGill, 23 Apr 1858.  To this union eleven children were born, all have preceded him in death but three, Josie McMurphy, Albert, and Frank.  His first wife died December 1, 1914.  Later he was married to Myriah Ginger and she departed this life January 19, 1929.  He professed hope in Christ at Richland.  He told his friends all through his last sickness that he was ready to go and wondered why the Lord did not call for him, and the Lord saw fit on June 12th, to take him home to be with the host of relatives and friends throughout eternal ages.  Uncle Miles was a man who had gone through the hardships of our early days and he had a disposition in his home which made everybody love to visit his home.  After the death of his last wife, he moved to the home of his son, Frank and there he lived the rest of his days which was all full of suffering.  He leaves to mourn his loss, three children, one sister, Jane Carlisle, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his death.  Dear children weep not sor father for he has only answered the call which we must all answer in the near future.  So be ready to meet the Lord in peace and not in sorrow.  The chilrdren have lost a loving father, the relatives and friends a good neighbor.  But his passing away  has relieved his suffering and today he is resting with God and the angels and his soul has returned to the God who gave it.  His funteral was preached by Bro. Rector and his body was laid to rest in the Lavender Cemetery to await the resurrection of the dead.