The Sturges' Rifles (also spelled Sturgis) was an
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether Natural person, natural, Juridical person, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members ...
that served in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
.
Service
The Sturges' Rifles were a company of Illinois militia sharpshooters mustered into Federal service on May 6, 1861. The company served as part of
Major General George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey and as Commanding General of the United States Army from November 1861 to March 186 ...
's headquarters bodyguard throughout his command. McClellan had been a member of the company prior to the war and outfitted them with the
Sharps rifle
Sharps rifles are a series of large-bore, single-shot, falling-block, breech-loading rifles, beginning with a design by Christian Sharps in 1848 and ceasing production in 1881. They were renowned for long-range accuracy. By 1874, the rifle ...
, an expensive rifle not issued to regular infantrymen.
The company was mustered out on November 25, 1862.
Total strength and casualties
The unit had one enlisted man die of disease, for a total of one fatality.
Commanders
*Captain James Steel
[http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/acm/sturgis.htm Illinois in the Civil War website after Illinois Adjutant General's muster rolls]
See also
*
List of Illinois Civil War Units
Infantry units
In recognition of Illinois’ six regiments' service in the Mexican War, regimental numbers for infantry in the Civil War began at seven.
* 7th Illinois Infantry Regiment
* 8th Illinois Infantry Regiment
* 9th Illinois Infantr ...
*
Illinois in the American Civil War
During the American Civil War, the state of Illinois was a major source of troops for the Union Army (particularly for those armies serving in the Western Theater of the Civil War), and of military supplies, food, and clothing. Situated near ma ...
Notes
References
The Civil War Archive
Units and formations of the Union army from Illinois
1861 establishments in Illinois
Military units and formations established in 1861
Military units and formations disestablished in 1862
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