8th Illinois Infantry Regiment

The 8th Illinois Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Initial 3-month service
The infantry regiment was organized at Springfield, Illinois, and mustered in on April 25, 1861, for a three-month service. The regiment was transferred to Cairo, Illinois, for duty until July 1861. Companies' "B" and "C" formed part of an expedition from Cairo to Little River on June 22 and 23rd. By the time the regiment was mustered out on July 25, 1861, they had lost three to disease.

3-year enlistments
The regiment was reorganized with 3-year enlistees at Cairo, Illinois, on July 25, 1861. The 8th Illinois saw action at the Battle of Fort Henry, the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, the Vicksburg Campaign, and the Mobile Campaign.

The regiment was mustered out of service on May 4, 1866, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Among the notables that served in the regiment was Major Hermann Lieb, who later commanded the Union forces at the Battle of Milliken's Bend.

Total strength and casualties
The battery suffered 6 officers and 160 enlisted men killed in action or died of wounds and 155 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 321 fatalities.

Commanders

 * Colonel Richard J. Oglesby - promoted to brigadier general April 1, 1862
 * Colonel Frank L. Rhoades - resigned October 7, 1862
 * Colonel John P. Post - resigned September 28, 1863
 * Colonel Josiah A. Sheetz - mustered out with the regiment