Andrew K. Campbell
Encyclopedia
Andrew K. Campbell was a Union Army
officer during the American Civil War
, and the last official commanding officer of the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
.
in 1828, and eventually moved to Terre Haute, Indiana
. There he married Eliza J. Henbest.
Later he moved to Paris, Illinois
, where he pursued a career as a tailor
. Correspondence in the files of the Adjutant General of Illinois, in the Illinois State Archives indicates that he was active in politics.
for induction. He was appointed captain of Company E, Birge's Western Sharpshooters (later, the 66th Illinois).
From December 1861-February 3, 1862 he participated in the north central Missouri campaign. On February 4, 1862, with the rest of the regiment, Campbell embarked by steamboat, and was transported by river, finally disembarking at Fort Henry, Tennessee. From there, Campbell and regiment marched to Fort Donelson
, where the regiment participated in the Battle of Fort Donelson
. Later the next month, the regiment fought in the Battle of Shiloh
on April 6–7, 1862, although Campbell was not present.
The regiment participated in the Corinth Campaign, and served as provost guard in Corinth, Mississippi
after the Confederate commander, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard evacuated the city on the evening of May 29–30, 1862.
In early October, a combined Confederate Army under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn
and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
attempted to recapture the city. The Western Sharpshooter fought a bitter skirmish, on October 4, 1862 the second day of Second Battle of Corinth
against elements of the Confederate Missouri Brigade in the timber in front of the Federal lines. Col. Thomas W. Sweeny commander of the 52nd Illinois Infantry
who observed the fight, declared that the Sharpshooters "fought like heroes". Captain Campbell was not present for the battle. The regiment was transferred to Illinois state control on November 20, 1862.
On April 29, 1863 (promotion accepted May 23, 1863), Campbell was promoted to major
of the regiment by order of Illinois Governor Richard Yates for his "gallant conduct" at the battles of Shiloh and Second Corinth.
Campbell was not able to join his regiment in many of the battles of the Atlanta Campaign
having been transferred to General Sweeny's staff. Captain William S. Boyd (Company A) carried out field command of the regiment during most of this period.
Campbell was present at Decatur, Georgia
on July 22, 1864, where he was wounded. On September 15, 1864, Governor Yates promote Campbell to lieutenant colonel
. He was mustered out with the regiment on July 7, 1865.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and the last official commanding officer of the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 66th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment originally known as "Birge's Western Sharpshooters" and later as the "Western Sharpshooters-14th Missouri Volunteers", was a specialized regiment of infantry sharpshooters that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-...
.
Pre-war activities
Campbell was born in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in 1828, and eventually moved to Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
. There he married Eliza J. Henbest.
Later he moved to Paris, Illinois
Paris, Illinois
Paris is a city in Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois, USA, south of Chicago, and west of Indianapolis. In 1900, 6,105 people lived in Paris, Illinois; in 1910, 7,664; and in 1940, 9,281. The population was 8,837 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edgar County.-Geography:Paris is...
, where he pursued a career as a tailor
Tailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men's clothing.Although the term dates to the thirteenth century, tailor took on its modern sense in the late eighteenth century, and now refers to makers of men's and women's suits, coats, trousers,...
. Correspondence in the files of the Adjutant General of Illinois, in the Illinois State Archives indicates that he was active in politics.
Civil War
In August–September 1861 he helped raise a company of men for military service, and reported to Benton Barracks at St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
for induction. He was appointed captain of Company E, Birge's Western Sharpshooters (later, the 66th Illinois).
From December 1861-February 3, 1862 he participated in the north central Missouri campaign. On February 4, 1862, with the rest of the regiment, Campbell embarked by steamboat, and was transported by river, finally disembarking at Fort Henry, Tennessee. From there, Campbell and regiment marched to Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Fort Donelson National Battlefield preserves Fort Donelson and Fort Heiman, two sites of the American Civil War Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign, in which Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Admiral Andrew Hull Foote captured three Confederate forts and opened two rivers to the Union navy...
, where the regiment participated in the Battle of Fort Donelson
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue for the invasion of the South. The success elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S...
. Later the next month, the regiment fought in the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
on April 6–7, 1862, although Campbell was not present.
The regiment participated in the Corinth Campaign, and served as provost guard in Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
after the Confederate commander, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard evacuated the city on the evening of May 29–30, 1862.
In early October, a combined Confederate Army under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn was a career United States Army officer, fighting with distinction during the Mexican-American War and against several tribes of Native Americans...
and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
Sterling Price
Sterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
attempted to recapture the city. The Western Sharpshooter fought a bitter skirmish, on October 4, 1862 the second day of Second Battle of Corinth
Second Battle of Corinth
The Second Battle of Corinth was fought October 3–4, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi. For the second time in the Iuka-Corinth Campaign, Union Maj. Gen. William S...
against elements of the Confederate Missouri Brigade in the timber in front of the Federal lines. Col. Thomas W. Sweeny commander of the 52nd Illinois Infantry
52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 52nd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 52nd Illinois Infantry was organized at Geneva, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on November 19, 1861....
who observed the fight, declared that the Sharpshooters "fought like heroes". Captain Campbell was not present for the battle. The regiment was transferred to Illinois state control on November 20, 1862.
On April 29, 1863 (promotion accepted May 23, 1863), Campbell was promoted to major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
of the regiment by order of Illinois Governor Richard Yates for his "gallant conduct" at the battles of Shiloh and Second Corinth.
Campbell was not able to join his regiment in many of the battles of the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
having been transferred to General Sweeny's staff. Captain William S. Boyd (Company A) carried out field command of the regiment during most of this period.
Campbell was present at Decatur, Georgia
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
on July 22, 1864, where he was wounded. On September 15, 1864, Governor Yates promote Campbell to lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. He was mustered out with the regiment on July 7, 1865.