Quite a few of the things I have been writing about recently have had to do with this regiment, including Edward Kittoe, his son and T.D. Connor in the last post.
From Report of the Adjutant General
Called the Washburne Leadmine Regiment in honor of Elihu B. Washburne, member of Congress from the Galena district. (His home is still standing and open for tours on certain days.) It was organized by John E. Smith of Galena, Illinois who was commissioned Colonel of Volunteers for it July 23, 1861.
During its organization, the regiment rendezvoused at the Jo Davies County fairgrounds, near Galena, which was renamed Camp Washburne, in in his honor. Seven companies were organized here and they organized fully and were equipped with the short Enfield rifle. (This fair started in 1860 and is considered the oldest continually running county fair in the state. Today it is in Warren, Illinois.)
November 22, 1861, Camp Washburne was broken up and the regiment ordered to Camp Douglas in Chicago. Here they reached full complement of ten companies and mustered into service of the United States on December 25, 1861.
A short time later, on January 12, 1862, they left for Cairo, Illinois.
--Old Secesh
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