“I wish I was in the Cav[alry]. This plodding along afoot is dry business, compared with horse-back traveling.”

Regimental histories provide some of the most exciting and interesting details about life during the American Civil War.This one is compiled by members of the 103rd Illinois from letters and diaries of the men who served in that regiment. Sometimes the smallest details are the most important to the simple soldier.

“Gen. Logan stopped by me and said: ‘It’s all right, damn it, isn’t it?’ I returned: ‘It’s all right, General.’”