37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 37th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry mustered in on September 18, 1861 near Chicago, Illinois. They left for St. Louis shortly after, reporting to General Fremont, they were also known as “The Fremont Rifles”.
The men of the 37th Illinois hailed from Rock Island, Stark, Lake, Cook, LaSalle, Boone and Vermillion Counties in Northern Illinois. However, due to heavy casualties the 37th Illinois would be reinforced by men from the 97th Illinois, (The Alton Regiment) who would continue to serve with the 37th until the regiment mustered out in Galveston, Texas in 1866.
The 37th Illinois saw action at Pea Ridge, Siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, and Ft. Blakely. They would be one of the most highly decorated regiments from Illinois, with many of their men earning the Medal of Honor. Initially, the regiment was armed with Springfield rifles, the two flank companies were armed with Colt Repeating Rifles. At various points in the war, the regular companies carried flintlock conversions (early on), which were replaced by Belgian muskets, which gave way to Enfields, and ultimately Springfields.
By the time the regiment fought at Blakely, the majority of the men would be carrying Springfield and Enfield rifled-muskets. When the regiment was in New Orleans over the winter of 64/65’ they were freshly equipped with uniforms and equipment for the upcoming campaign in the Spring and would have been well supplied.
Initially, the 37th received the iconic nine button Illinois State Jacket as did most Illinois Regiments raised in 1861-1862. The 37th would continue to serve throughout the war, and in 1864, the Regiment would re-enlist as a Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment. By 1865, the most common look for the 37th, along with the rest of the Western Federal regiments would be the standardized fatigue blouse, also known as a "sack coat" and the US Army Dress hat, also known as the "Hardee Hat". It was also very popular among Western Federals to wear civilian hats while in the service.
This soldier wears a Hardee Hat, sack coat, and a pair of sky blue trousers with Issue brogans (shoes). He wears standard issue accoutrements, and a blanket roll over his shoulder. On his back he wears a knapsack containing his personal items, a shelter half and a "gum blanket" or poncho. This is how the men of the 37th would have appeared during the Assault on Ft. Blakeley.
The men of the 37th Illinois hailed from Rock Island, Stark, Lake, Cook, LaSalle, Boone and Vermillion Counties in Northern Illinois. However, due to heavy casualties the 37th Illinois would be reinforced by men from the 97th Illinois, (The Alton Regiment) who would continue to serve with the 37th until the regiment mustered out in Galveston, Texas in 1866.
The 37th Illinois saw action at Pea Ridge, Siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, and Ft. Blakely. They would be one of the most highly decorated regiments from Illinois, with many of their men earning the Medal of Honor. Initially, the regiment was armed with Springfield rifles, the two flank companies were armed with Colt Repeating Rifles. At various points in the war, the regular companies carried flintlock conversions (early on), which were replaced by Belgian muskets, which gave way to Enfields, and ultimately Springfields.
By the time the regiment fought at Blakely, the majority of the men would be carrying Springfield and Enfield rifled-muskets. When the regiment was in New Orleans over the winter of 64/65’ they were freshly equipped with uniforms and equipment for the upcoming campaign in the Spring and would have been well supplied.
Initially, the 37th received the iconic nine button Illinois State Jacket as did most Illinois Regiments raised in 1861-1862. The 37th would continue to serve throughout the war, and in 1864, the Regiment would re-enlist as a Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment. By 1865, the most common look for the 37th, along with the rest of the Western Federal regiments would be the standardized fatigue blouse, also known as a "sack coat" and the US Army Dress hat, also known as the "Hardee Hat". It was also very popular among Western Federals to wear civilian hats while in the service.
This soldier wears a Hardee Hat, sack coat, and a pair of sky blue trousers with Issue brogans (shoes). He wears standard issue accoutrements, and a blanket roll over his shoulder. On his back he wears a knapsack containing his personal items, a shelter half and a "gum blanket" or poncho. This is how the men of the 37th would have appeared during the Assault on Ft. Blakeley.