Pvt. Francis D. Orcut

Pvt. Francis D. Orcut

A Co. 7th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Fremont Rifles

   Mustered In Dec. 22, 1863.
   Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
   Issued .69 US Altered Musket.

   Notice: Oct. 22, 1862 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 7th and 52d-Both these regiments were in the fight at Corinth.  The 52d was badly cut up, not so bad however, as some of the others.  Lieut., Col. John S. Wilcox was in command and we learn that he conducted himself with great coolness and bravery.
   The 7th took a hand in when the bayonet charge was made upon the rebels after they had gained the inside of our breastworks.  We do not learn that any of Capt. lawyer's company from this town were wounded.
-Aurora Beacon.

   Spring 1863 and again in 1864 the Regiment was  mounted on mules making them mounted infantry.
   Re-enlisted as a Veteran and paid a $300 Veterans Bounty, then sent home on 30 days Veterans Furlough.
   During their Veterans Furlough the regiment bought at their own expense 16 shot Henry Rifles.
   Mustered Out at Louisville, Ky. June 8, 1865.
   Received Finial Pay and Discharged at Springfield, Ill. July 11, 1865.

Known Actions;
Butler’s Creek          Aug. 1, 1864
Allatoona Pass, Ga. Oct. 5, 1864
Wippy Swamp               Feb. 8, 1865
Neuse’s Bridge, NC  March 19, 1865
Bentonville, NC           March 19, 1865

From the collection of Ken Gough

US Altered Musket

Model 1816 Springfield / dated 1827

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.