The 43rd Illinois Infantry was organized at
Camp Butler,
Illinois , and mustered into Federal service on October 12, 1861. Initially consisting of 8 Companies, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where they were issued Harper's Ferry and
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifled Muskets, in Early 1862, While Stationed at Benton Barracks, Two Additional Companies were added.
Battle of Shiloh In February 1862, the Regiment took part in the
Battle of Shiloh. It was assigned to the third brigade of McClernand's Division. On the Morning of April 6, 1862, the Regiment was among the First to respond to the Confederate assault on Shiloh. The 43rd Fought Stubbornly, supporting Waterhouse's Battery and Suffering Heavy losses. During the Battle, Colonel Julius Raith was mortally wounded and died on April 9th 1862, 1862. After the battle, it lost 206 out of its 500 engaged.
Western Tennessee and Mississippi Following the Advance of Corinth, the Regiment Spent much of 1862 performing garrison duty, Building Fortifications at
Bolivar, Tennessee, and moving towards
Luka and
Jackson. In December 1862, a detachment of the regiment, led by Colonel Adolph Engelmann, repelled a charge by Confederate Cavalry at Salem Cemetery near Jackson. In the Spring of 1863, a 200-Man Detachment of the 43rd Was Mounted Briefly for Scouting operations. The Regiment later participated in the operations of the Vicksburg Campaign along the Yazoo River and at Haine's Bluff.
Red River Expedition The 43rd was among the first Union regiments to enter Little Rock on September 11th, 1863, following the evacuation of Confederate forces there. In March 1864, It Took part in the
Red River Campaign, where it saw Action at
Prairie D'Ane, and then at
Jenkins' Ferry, where it faced superior Confederate numbers. During the Fighting, the 43rd captured a Confederate battery and dragged it back to union lines. The regiment remained on duty at Little Rock through the end of the war. Though many of its original members were discharged in late 1864 upon the expiration of their 3-year enlistments, the regiment was still maintained by drafted recruits. The 43rd Illinois was mustered out on November 30, 1865. ==Total strength and casualties==