Full Unit History
11th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 11/1861 Camp Lyon Peoria, IL
Mustered In: 12/20/1861 Camp Lyon Peoria, IL
Mustered Out: 9/30/1865 Memphis, TN
Discharged: Ca. 12/20/1865 Springfield, IL
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
The 11th Illinois was a three year cavalry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it served in the western theater of operations.
Recruited from nine (9) Illinois counties, recruits for the 11th began arriving at Peoria, IL’s Camp Lyon around 11/1/1861. The new unit remained in Peoria until mounted. It then marched to Benton Barracks near St. Louis, MO where it was armed.
Fielded with twelve (12) companies, the 11th saw first action (4/6 &7/1862) at the battle of Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing, TN. Early on the morning of 4/6 the unit lost several killed and wounded. The following day (4/7) it met with severe loss.
Next came clashes at Iuka (9/19) and Corinth (10/3 – 4), MS. The year was concluded with the battle of Lexington, TN (12/20/1862 – 1/1/1863). The winter of 1862/’63 was spent at Jackson, TN.
During 1863 the 11th participated in various expeditions. In 5/1863 as Federal forces moved upon Vicksburg, MS it had several skirmishes with Rebel cavalry along the Big Black River. At years end most of the regiment re-enlisted as veteran volunteers. Near the end of 3/1864 the re-enlistees went home on thirty (30) day furloughs.
Returning to the field the 11th was stationed at Vicksburg, MS and from there participated in scouting sorties throughout the surrounding region. In mid-year it fought the Rebs at Yazoo City, MS. The unit then moved into Louisiana, but also made a significant excursion into Arkansas. Returning to Memphis, TN the 11th made a raid from there during which it destroyed many railroad properties.
Reaching Vicksburg, MS the 11th returned to Memphis, TN via boat. It was then stationed along the line of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad until called back to Memphis for final muster in 9/1865.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 2; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 8; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 32; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 237.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Chicago Cook County, IL Age: 22.11 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 1/13/1864 Chicago Cook County, IL Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 1/31/1864
Mustered Out: 5/30/1865 Memphis, TN
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
John D. Aitken was born 1/19/1841. His place of birth was Airdrie Scotland. He immigrated to America in 1861.
Three years after arriving in the U.S. John enlisted in the U.S. Army cavalry. Without accessing his military service records all we can say about his enlistment period is that he survived the trials and tribulations of war and returned to civilian society within the State of Illinois.
According to family lore, it appears John and his wife Annie migrated from Quincy, IL to Whatcom County in Washington Territory (WT) between 1878 and 1879. What had drawn them to this far corner of the Pacific Northwest and exactly when they arrived here are unknowns.
Local Native Americans poled the Aitkins up the Nooksack River on a raft. Dropped on a sand bar, John, a carpenter, proceeded to build a home and carve a farm out of the wilderness in what, today, is in or near the Whatcom County community of Enterprise located twelve (12) miles north of present-day Bellingham. Later, John would be credited for construction the first Enterprise school house.
The U.S. Census for 1880 tallied John – who listed his occupation as organ maker – and family residing in Whatcom County community of Ferndale. Under his roof at the time was wife, Anne “Annie” (nee Baird b. ca. 1851 Airdrie, Scotland) Aitken and the following children: Anabelle Aitken (b. ca. 1868), John M. Aitken (b. ca. 1870), Blanche Aitken (b. ca. 1874), James D. Aitken (b. 9/8/1877 Quincy, IL) and Daisy M. Aitken (b. ca. 1879).
By 1900, when the family address was noted as Custer, two more names had been added to the Aitken family list: Effie Aitken (b. ca. 1887 and Violet “Vie” Aitken (b. ca. 1893). At the dawn of the twentieth century John noted his occupation as “farmer.”
John D. Aitken died 8/9/1907. He was/is buried in Whatcom County’s Enterprise Cemetery.
Dropping back into the nineteenth century, in 1890, while in Washington State, John had applied for and been granted a U.S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. While we know a stipend was granted, without accessing pension records the size of the monthly allotment remains unknown.
1907. After her husband’s passing Annie petitioned the Government to continue receiving at least a portion of John’s monthly allowance. Again, while that petition was granted, without acquiring her widow’s pension file the size of her allotment remains unknown.
And Annie? At some point in time following John’s death she remarried to a family friend, Mr. Edwin Lopez. With Mr. Lopez being “quite well to do” Annie was able to live out her years enjoying some of the comforts of modern living (indoor plumbing) she did without during her years of pioneering in the wilderness. Her final resting place is not known.
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*In the American Civil War Research Database surname appears as Atkins.
**Whatcom Genealogical Society erroneously identifies John’s unit as the 11th Illinois Infantry.
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For further information on John D, Aitken and his family please check our Links page for how to obtain the Whatcom Genealogical Society’s down load: Civil War Veterans Buried in Whatcom (including 2014 updates).
Posted: 4/182024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Enterprise Cemetery Ferndale