The following communication from the first colonel of this regiment in view of his subsequent illustrious career, will be of special interest: --
     "I was appointed colonel of the twenty-first Illinois volunteer infantry, by Governor Richard Yates, some time early in the month of June, 1861, and assumed command of the regiment on the 16th of that month.  The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, in the latter part of the same month.  Being ordered to rendezvous the regiment at Quincy, Illinois, I thought, for the purpose of discipline and speedy efficiency for the field, it would be well to march the regiment across the country, instead of transporting by rail.  Accordingly, on the 3d of July, 1861, the march was commenced from camp Yates, Springfield, Illinois, and continued until about three miles beyond the Illinois river, when dispatches were received, changing the destination of the regiment to Ironton, Missouri, and directing me to return to the river and take a steamer, which had been sent there for the purpose of transporting the regiment to St. Louis.  The steamer failing to reach the point of embarkation, several days were here lost.  In the meantime a portion of the sixteenth Illinois infantry, under Col. Smith, were reported surrounded by the enemy at a point on the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad, west of Palmyra, and the twenty-first was ordered to their relief.   Under these circumstances, expedition was necessary; accordingly, the march was abandoned, and the railroad was called into requisition.  Before the twenty-first reached its new destination, the sixteenth had extricated itself.  The twenty-first was then kept on duty on the line of the H. and St. Jo. R. R., for about two weeks, without, however meeting as enemy or an incident worth relating.  We did make one march, however, during that time, from Salt River, Mo., to Florida, Mo., and returned in search of Wm. Harris, who was reported in that neighborhood with a handful of rebels.  It was impossible, however, to get nearer than a day's march of him.  From Salt River the regiment went to Mexico, Mo., where it remained for two weeks; thence to Ironton, Mo., passing through Saint Louis on the 7th of  August, when I was assigned to duty as a Brigadier General, and turned over the command of the regiment to that gallant and Christian officer, Colonel Alexander, who afterwards yielded up his life, whilst nobly leading it in the battle of Chickamauga.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant General

     This regiment was organized at Mattoon, Illinois, May 9th, 1861.  May 15th, it was mustered into the state service, for thirty days by Captain U. S. Grant.  June 28th, mustered into the United States service, for three years, with Capt. U. S. Grant as Colonel, August 6th, Col. Grant promoted Brig. General, and Lieut. Col. J. W. S. Alexander was made Colonel of the regiment.
     October 20th, marched from Ironton, Mo., and on the next day took part in the battle of Fredericktown; returned and remained at Ironton till January 29th, 1862, when it marched to Jacksonsport, Ark.; thence to Corinth.   On evacuation of Corinth, pursued the enemy to Bonneville; returning, it joined an expedition to Holly Springs; August 14th, was ordered to join Gen. Buell's army to Tennessee; marched to Louisville, Ky., and participated in the battle of Perryville, October 8th, company F.  Captain David Blackburn, being the first to enter the town; marched thence to Crab Tree Orchard, Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn.  December 30th, it had a severe engagement with the enemy near Murfreesboro, gallantly charging the famous Washington (rebel) Light Artillery, 12 Parrott guns, and driving every man from the battery.  During the battle of Murfreesboro, it did heroic service, losing more men than any other regiment engaged.
     It was with General Rosecrans' army from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga; took part in the battle at Liberty Gap, June 25th, 1863; distinguished itself in the famous battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, losing 238 officers and men; after this battle the regiment remained at Bridgeport, Alabama, till the latter part of December, 1863.  Having made a brilliant record in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, it was mustered out December 16th, 1865, at San Antonia, Texas, and reached camp Butler, Ill., January 18th, 1865, for final pay and discharge.

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