One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry.-Col., John G. Fonda;
Lieut.-Cols., John G. Fonda, Thomas Logan; Maj., Robert W.
McClaughry. The troops composing this regiment enlisted under
the call of the president of July 2 1862, and the companies
were formed during August, from the following places and
counties: Co. A, Fountain Green, B, Carthage, C. Hamilton; E,
Warsaw, and H, Basco, all in Hancock county, D, Quincy, F,
Richfield and K, Mendon, Adams county; G, Terre Haute,
Henderson county: and Co. I, Gallatin county. The companies
rendezvoused at Camp Butler during the month of September,
were respectively sworn into the service and organized into a
regiment, which remained on duty in charge of the post and
guarding Confederate prisoners until December. It was
mustered into the U.S. service on Nov. 7, for three years,
with a total of 820 men and officers. On Nov. 21, it was
armed with Enfield rifles and on Dec. 1, left by the Chicago &
Alton railroad for Alton. From there it moved by boat to St.
Louis and below until it arrived at Memphis, Tenn., and went
into camp on Wolf river. While there it received its first
tents, first watery beds, first "powder and ball" cartridges,
its first scare, first "turn out for firing on the pickets,"
and first introduction to Confederates in a night and day
skirmish. It reached Milliken's bend Dec. 25, and the
following day proceeded up the Yazoo river and participated in
the attack upon Chickasaw bluffs. From there it proceeded
with the force under Gen. McClernand to Arkansas Post and took
part in the two days' fight. In April, 1863, it moved out in
the expedition against Vicksburg, crossed the Mississippi
river at Bruinsburg and took part in the battles of Port
Gibson, Champion's hill, Black River bridge, and the assaults
upon Vicksburg in May, suffering in the first two and the last
severely in killed and wounded. In the battle of Black River
bridge a whole Confederate regiment was captured by and
surrendered to Co. D. On May 24, it moved with Gen.
Osterhaus' division to Black River bridge and remained there
until the surrender of Vicksburg holding the rear against Gen.
Johnston's forces, having frequent skirmishes with them. On
July 6, it started with the force under Gen. Sherman to
Jackson, Miss., and took part in the fighting and siege. A
mounted battalion of the regiment went on a raid to Brookhaven
having frequent skirmishes, tore up the railroad and burned
the rolling stock and depot buildings. The regiment was then
transferred to the Department of the Gulf and in November,
participated in the battle of Carrion Crow bayou, or as it is
sometimes called Grand Coteau, and in a battle near
Vermillionville, in which it lost severely. The entire
regiment having been mounted, it remained in Louisiana and the
Gulf region throughout the rest of its term of service,
engaged in scouting, foraging, skirmishing, etc. On Oct. 1,
1865, it was mustered out. The regiment was mustered into the
service with to men and officers received 283 recruits making
a total of 1,103, and mustered out 523. The losses were as
follows: 267 resigned and discharged for disability; 176 died,
63 missing, 17 killed in battle; 1 dishonorably discharged, 2
accidentally killed, 1 lost at sea, 2 drowned, 1 committed
suicide, 7 absent at muster; 3 discharged by the president; 1
dismissed the service, and 25 transferred to other branches of
the service, leaving 14 unaccounted for.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
Battles Fought
Fought on 2 Jan 1863 at Yazoo River, MS.
Fought on 13 Mar 1863 at Jackson, MS.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Thompson's Hill, MS.
Fought on 16 May 1863.
Fought on 22 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 2 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 1 Jul 1863 at Edward's Station, MS.
Fought on 9 Jul 1863 at Thompson's Hill, MS.
Fought on 24 Oct 1863 at Washington, LA.
Fought on 11 Nov 1863.
Fought on 25 Aug 1864 at Redwood, LA.
Fought on 15 Sep 1864.
For momre specific information click the banner above and ordr his complete service record which should have the information about how and why he was discharged for disability. In the Civil War most frequently that does not infer he was wounded in battle.
John R.