The first part is from the Park Service's Civil War site http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm
The second part is James's Civil War file, which Maxine Lacy copied and sent to me.
(There are probably some typos, but the original spelling was a little creative.)
The third part, History of the Regiment, comes from the notes for 1879 reunion of the 77th -
found on the very excellent Marshall County Website.
77th Regiment, Illinois Infantry
Organized at Peoria, Ill., and mustered in September 3, 1862. Moved to Covington, Ky., October 4, 1862. Attached to 3rd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Kentucky, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee and Army of the Gulf, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. Defences of New Orleans, La., Dept. of the Gulf, June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to October, 1864. Defences of New Orleans, La., to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.-March to Lexington, Ky., thence to Richmond, Ky., October 17-November 2, 1862. March to Louisville, Ky., November 11-17, thence to Memphis, Tenn., November 20-27, and duty there till December 20. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862, to January 2, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29, 1862. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 14-22, thence to Milliken's Bend March 9. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Big Black River May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Duty at Vicksburg till August 25. Ordered to New Orleans August 25, and duty there till October 3. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. At New Iberia till December 6. Moved to New Orleans December 6, thence to Pass Cavallo, Texas, December 8-20, and duty there till February, 1864. Reconnoissance on Matagorda January 21, 1864. Moved to New Orleans February, 1864. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Cane River Crossing April 23. At Alexandria and constructing dam across Red River April 26-May 13. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., and duty there till August 1. Operations in Mobile Bay against Forts Gaines and Morgan August 2-23. Siege and capture of Fort Gaines August 3-8. Siege and capture of Fort Morgan August 8-23. At Morganza Bend, Mississippi River, till October, and Provost duty at New Orleans, La., till March, 1865. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences March 17-April 12. Siege of Fort Blakely and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. Expedition to Tombigbee River and McIntosh Bluffs April 13-May 9. At Mobile till July. Mustered out July 10, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 66 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 137 Enlisted men by disease. Total 206.
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I think I might be missing a few pages of the file. Another researcher said it included a description of him, which is not on any of the papers I have.
War Department
566061 Adjutant General’s Office
Washington July 6, 1886
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
James M Roberts, a pvt of Company “B”, 77 Regiment Illinois Volunteers, was enrolled on the 12 day of Aug, 1862, and Magnolia for 3 yrs. and is reported: on muster in well? dated Sept 21 62 present, same to June 30 1865. Return for July ‘63 was not report inj absent ? Mustered out with Co July 10, 1865 at Mobile Ala.
Regtl Hospl records except list of casualties and orders & settlers which furnish no information, not on file
Records on file in this office furnish no evidence of alleged disabilities.
Thomas Ward
Assistant Adjutant General
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Affidavit for any purpose
State of Illinois
County of Marshall
Personally appeared James M Roberts and... of La Rose P. O., County of Marshall, State of Illinois, who, being duly sworn upon his oath, declares as follows:
That he was late a member of Co Be 77 Ills Vols and was honorably discharged July 25 1865 and he had not been employed in the army or navy since said date.
Signed James M Roberts
Subscribed and sworn . . . 4 Dec 1891
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Affidavit for any purpose
State of Nebraska County of Thayer SS
Personally appeared James M Roberts and . . . of Burning P. O., County of Thayer, State of Nebraska, who being duly sworn upon his oath declares as follows: that he the said Jas M Roberts late a private in Company B 77th Illinois Vols Infty and who is an applicant for original pension no is unable to furnish the further testimony of an officer or 1st sergeant of his company for the reason that their whereabouts is not now known to this claimant and that after using due diligence to obtain the same the letters of inquiry addressed to them at their last known place of residence have been returned as uncalled for.
and he further days that his knowledge of the above facts is obtained from the following sources, viz: by forwarding letters as above stated.
James M Roberts
Subscribed and sworn . . . 20 Apr 1894
JA Bothwell - Notary public
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Affidavit
State of Nebraska County of Saline SS
In claim no 566061 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within and for said County,
George W DeLong, aged 57 years, whose P.O. is Friend, County of Saline, State of Nebraska, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows to-wit:
I have knowned ? James M Roberts all his life we used to go to school together and I knwe him while a member of Co B 77 Ils Vol If I also know he was taken sick in the early part of our enlistment with diaorrhoes and believe his back give out. I know he lived to get home.
I do not write this by anybody dictation. But of my own will & accord as I remembers all those events very well.
I hav eno interest in this claim whatever
Geo W DeLong late of? Co D 77 Ills in
Sworn and subscribed . . . 8 July 1890 (? - maybe 1896?)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Affidavit
State of Nebraska County of Saline SS
In claim no 566061 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within and for said County,
George W DeYoung? DeLong?, aged 60 years, whose P.O. is Friend, County of Saline, State of Nebraska, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows to-wit:
I was a member of Co D 77 Ills Vol ... James M Roberts was a member of Co B
We went to school together before the war. Therefor I know him well. I also know he was disabled shortly after we got south. But stuck to it manfully untill he was holled (hauled?) away more dead than alive - if my memory serves me wright his back was the mane trouble he was an honor to the sirvis?and now the survis should be an honor to him I write this myslf knowning what I say to be true no man has consulted me nor dictated a word& furthe I have no interest in the whatever. I am 60 years old.
signed George W De Young (Long?)
Sworn to and subscribed . . . 6 March 1897
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Affidavit
State of Nebraska County of Thayer SS
In claim no 566061 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within and for said County, J M Roberts aged 56 years, whose P.O. is Bruning, County of Thayer, State of Nebr, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows to-wit:
Our companys surgeon is dead and it is now is impossible to get his evidence and the regimental surgeon say while he would be glad to assist his comrades he can not remember all the boys hence is is unable to make affidavit for me and it is reasonable to that he could not remember the whole regiment for over 30 years back for above reasons I am unable to furnish evidence from surgeon
This affidavit was written by JA Bothwell at request of JM Roberts who was present and dictated the above affidavit.
(Signed) James M Roberts
Sworn to ans subscribed before me on the 16 day of June 1897, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution
(Signed) JA Bothwell
Notary public
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
West
In Or No 566061 Department of the Interior
James M Roberts Bureau of Pensions
Co B 77 Reg’t Ill Inf Washington DC Nov 1, 1897
Sir
Will you kindly answer at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family. . . . .
No 1. Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife’s full name, and her maiden name.
Answer: no
No. 2. When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer: (blank)
No 3. What record of marriage exists? Answer: (blank)
No 4. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce. (death crossed out) Answer: Hattie L Roberts (maiden name was Hattie L Helms) about 12 years at Ord Nebraska.
No 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer: yes three. Stella M born April 10-1874, Bernard F born Febr 10th 1876 and Ruby Roberts born Sept 16-1882.
Date of reply 11/8, 1897
signed James M Roberts
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Second Dep Com. March 12-98
Certificate No 950960 Department of the Interior
Name James M Roberts Bureau of Pensions
B 77-Ills Inf Washington DC January 15 1898
Sir:
In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below. . ..
First. Are your married? If so, please state your wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Answer. No Divorced
Second. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer. Riley Morgan. Roberts Point Ills Sept 1871
Third. What record of marriage exists? None
Answer.
Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer.
Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer. Bernhard Roberts Febr 10-1875. Stella M Roberts April 10-1873 Ruby Roberts form Sept 16=1882.
Signed James M Roberts
Date of reply July 4, 1898
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Affidavit
State of Illinois County of Putnam SS
In claim no 950960 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared ... John H Brenn, aged 58 years, whose P. O. Is Magnolia, County of Putnam, State of Illinois
I served in the sam company & regt with James M Roberts and know he was badly afflicked wile in the service with a cronic diarhoea he often on duty when he was not able but through his grit and paterism for his country he pulled through to the end of the war and is now in rather poor health on accort of exsposure wile in the service and I often herd him complain of his back a herting him
John H Brenn
Sworn and subscribed . . . 25 May 1899
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Affidavit
State of Illinois County of Marshall SS
In claim no 950960 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared ...Marshall Co (yes, mistake), aged 60 years, whose P. O. Is Lacon, County of Marshall, State of Illinois . . . David Parkin
I served in the same Co and Reg was well aquainted with James Roberts and was aquinted with him when he had the cronic Direer But he keeped a stiff upper lip and pull throught and at Vicksburg he was aficked with a lame back caused from the fall he got on the charge on the memeral charge and he was not the only one he has been complan all the time I hav not seen him for some time
David Parkin
Sworn and subscribed ... 31 May 1899
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Affidavit
State of Illinois County of Marshall SS
In claim no 950960 of James M Roberts of Co B of the 77 Regt of Ills Vols. Personally appeared ... Thomas Burlingame aged 69 years, who P. O. Is Lacon, County of Marshal, State of Illinois, whom I certif to be credible, who being duly sworn, state in relation to said claims as follows, to-wit:
I know James M Roberts sufford from cronic dihorie during his service in my regt he contracted it in 1863 at Youngs Point Lusaina and he also received injuries at Vicksburd May 22 1863 from which he had not recovered during his servis he complained of a lame back I have met him often since his discharge and he still compained of the injuries to his back I have seen him often crippled up from it of late years This cirtifficat comes from me volentary
Thomas Burlingame
Co D 77 Regt Ills Vol In
Lacon
Ills
Sworn and subscribed before me on the 9th day of June 1899 . . .
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Act of June 27, 1890
As Amended by Act of May 9, 1900
Declaration for invalid pension
State of Nebraska
County of Thayer
On this 21 day of September AD one thousand nine hundred personally appeared before me, a V Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid. J. M Roberts, aged 59 years, a resident of Bruning, county of Thayer, State of Nebraska, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Magnolia Ills under the name of James M Roberts on the 9th August 1862 as a Private in Company B = 77 Illinois Infantry Vol in the service of the United States in the war of the rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was Honorably discharged at Mobile Alabama, on the 10th day of July 1865. That he also served (here give a complete statement of all other services, if any) close of war
That he was not employed in the military or naval service prior to Aug 9-1862
That he had not been employed in the military or naval service since July 10th, 1865.
That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: age 22 years; height 5 feet 6 ½ inches; complexion dark; hair dark; eyes dark; that he is wholly incapacitated for earning a support by manual labor by reason of weak eyes and lumbago of back and chronic diarhoea
That said disabilit...not due to his vicious habits, and...to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent character.
That he is...a pensioner and his present rate of pension is $6 a month. That he has heretofore applied for pension #950960 - find?fwd? Application over 14 years ago.
That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 17, 1890, as amended by Act of May 9, 1900.
That he hereby appoints
Henry D Phillips, of Washington, DC
his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. Attorney fee to be $10.
That his post-office address is Bruning county of Thayer, State of Nebraska
(Signed - sort of shaky) James M Roberts
Attest (1) J A Bothwell
(2) AC Wells
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Act June 27, 1890
Pensioner Dropped.
United States Pension Agency,
Des Moines, Iowa
Apr 4 1906
Certificate No 950960
Class Invalild
Pensioner James M Roberts
Soldier
Service B 77 Ill Inf
The commissioner of pensions.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $12, to Jan 4, 1906 has been dropped because of Death on Feby 14, 1906
Very respectfully
W V Willcox
United States Pension Agent
Stamped - Finance Division - Apr 7, 1906 - Bureau of Pensions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Declaration for remarried widow’s pension . . .
State of California County of Los Angeles
On this 7th day of June, 1924, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public with and for the County and State aforesaid Harriet L. Helm who, being duly sworn by me according to law, declared that she is 75 years of age, and that she was born April 8th, 1849 at Marshall County, Virginia.
That she was formerly the widow of James M. Roberts, who enlisted August 9th, 1862 at Magnolia, Illinois under the name of James M. Roberts as a private in Illinois Infantry and was honorably discharged July 10th 1865, having served therein during the Civil War.
That he also served none
That otherwise than as herein stated said soldier (or sailor) was not employed in the United States service.
That she was married to said soldier (or sailor) September 20th, 1867, under the name of Harriet L. Helm, at Marshall County, Illinois by Rev. Riley Morgan; that she had not been previously married; that he had not been previously married ....
That said soldier (or sailor) died February 14th, 1906 at Quincey, Illinois and that she was (yes) divorced from him.
That she was not formerly pensioned as the widow of said soldier . . .
That her pension or right to pension terminated because of her marriage to John M. Roberts
that he died October 15th, 1919 at Topeka, Kansas . . .
That he did not serve in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps . . .
That she did . . . marry again after the death of the soldier (or sailor) except to ... named above. John M Roberts November 10th, 1889, at Geneva Nebraska.
That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States, as a remarried widow, under the Second Section of the Act of Congress approved September 8, 1916 Act of May 1, 1920
Ella Stickel Harriet L Roberts
3910 Walton Ave Los Angeles Cal 3910 Walton Ave
Ama E Ayers Los Angeles, Calif
3910 Walton Ave Los Angeles Calif
(Witnesses)
Subscribed and sworn . . . 7th June 1924
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Declaration of Widows’s Pension (Civil War)
State of California, County of Los Angeles, ss:
On this 6 day of April, 1932 before me, the undersigned . . .
That she is 82 years of age, that she was born the eighth day of April 1849 at Marshall County, Virginia.
That she is the widow of James M Roberts
enlisted ninth day of August 1862 under the name of James M Roberts in company b 77th Illinois Infantry
discharged on the 10th day of July 1865, having served 90 days or more . . .
died 14 February 1906 at Quincy, Illinois
That she was married . . . September 1867 under the name of Hariet L Helms at Marshall County, Illinois by Rev Riley Morgan . . .
She was divorced 1887. Married again 1904 crossed out 1909.
....... earlier claims “forgotten”
Estella M Bothwell Harriet L Roberts
5115 Meridian St Los Angeles Cal 118 ½ N Adams St
MJ Blora ???? Glendale California
1023 N Olive Burbank
(witnesses)
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Was fully organized and mustered into the United States service, September 3d, 1862, at Peoria, Illinois. Remained in camp at that place until October 4th, at which time it proceeded to Covington, Kentucky, and reported to Major General Gordon Granger, commanding the army of Kentucky, who assigned it to duty in the division commanded by General A. J. Smith. Marched from Covington, with the division, October 17th, and reached Lexington on the 29th and Richmond, November 2d. Marched from that point on November 11th, and arrived at Louisville on the 17th. Nothing of any interest transpired during the sojourn of the regiment in Kentucky - there being no force of the enemy in the state at that time; and the campaign there was merely a march of about 150 miles into the interior, and march back again.
November 20th, 1862, the regiment embarked on steamer for Memphis, Tennessee, in company with the whole division, under same commander. Arrived at latter place, November 27th. Remained until December 29th. The division was re-organized and reported for duty to Major General Sherman. Embarked at Memphis, on December 20th, and proceeded down the river with Sherman's army, for the capture of Vicksburg. Disembarked in the Yazoo river, near Chickasaw Bayou, on the 27th. The 77th occupied the extreme right of the line, and participated in the attack on the rebel works. After four days' fighting the attack was abandoned, and the army embarked on their boats and proceeded to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. At this place Major General McClernand arrived and assumed command of the army. He reorganized it into two corps - the 13th and 15th. The 77th was assigned to the 10th division, 13th army corps. Division commanded by General A. J. Smith, and corps by General McClernand.
Left Milliken's Bend, January 5th, 1863, and arrived at Arkansas Post on the 10th. Immediately disembarked, and, on the following morning, participated in the assault. After a few hours' hard fighting, carried the place, by assault, capturing all it contained. The loss of the regiment here was 6 killed and 39 wounded - some of the latter mortally. The regiment in this battle, behaved admirably, and was complimented by the commanding general for its gallant conduct. January 14th, again embarked, and proceeded to Young's Point, Louisiana. Arrived there on the 22, and went into camp, remaining until the 9th day of March, engaged in the digging on the canal across the point opposite Vicksburg. In March, changed camp to Milliken's Bend.
In the first part of April, the 13th corps marching from Milliken's Bend, for Grand Gulf. The 77th broke camp and moved forward about the middle of April. Crossed the river below Grand Gulf, on the last day of April, and marched all night, arriving at Port Gibson early on the morning of May 1st, and participated in the engagement there during the entire day. The regiment remained with General Grant's army during the entire campaign around Vicksburg, and the siege of the latter place until its surrender. The regiment was engaged in the actions at Champion Hills, May 17th, Black River Bridge, May 19th; first charge on Vicksburg, May 22d, and 23d, losing in these engagements, 20 killed, 86 wounded, and 26 missing. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th of July, and the next day the regiment marched for Jackson, with the army under Sherman.
Arrived there July 9th, and was under the fire of the enemy at that place until the 16th, when Jackson was evacuated, and the 77th returned to Vicksburg. Remained in camp at Vicksburg until August 25th, when it embarked for New Orleans, where it remained in camp until October 3d. Left New Orleans at that time, for Western Louisiana. Marched up Bayou Teche, through Franklin to New Iberia, Louisiana. Camped there until December 6th, 1863, when it marched back to New Orleans. Lest New Orleans on the 17th December, on steamer, and disembarked at Paso Cavalo, Texas, on the 20th December. Remained in camp until the last of February, then embarked on vessels and were transported to Berwick Bay, Louisiana. From there marched through to Alexandria, Louisiana, with the army, under General Banks, bound for Shreveport. From Alexandria, marched up Red river, driving the enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was reached, on the 8th of April, 1864, where it met the enemy in force, and was immediately engaged.
The 77th belonged to the division under command of General Ransom, which division was first ordered forward to support the advance cavalry. Before the army could be brought forward to their support the whole rebel army came down on them, and overwhelmed the whole division. In this engagement, the 77th suffered terribly, Lieutenant Colonel Webb was killed instantly, by a musket ball through the brain, and 176 officers and men were killed wounded and made prisoners, leaving only about 125 men in the regiment for duty. On the next day General A. J. Smith's corps came up, and at Pleasant Hill another battle was fought, ending in the complete defeat of the rebels.
The regiment remained with General Banks throughout his retreat down Red river, and until he reached the Mississippi. Here it was ordered into camp at Baton Rogue, until the first part of August. At that time, with five or six other regiments, it embarked, and was transported to Dauphine's Island, under the command of General Gordon Granger. Here assisted in the reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, and then returned to Morganzia Bend, on the Mississippi. In October the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, for provost duty, and remained there until the first of March, 1865, when it was assigned to the first brigade, third division, 13th army corps, and transported to Mobile Point, where it joined General Canby's army for the capture of Mobile.
General Granger collected his 13th corps at this point, and during the month of March, moved up the peninsula towards Spanish Fort. The regiment was with General Canby's army during the entire siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Blakely and Mobiel, and was under fire during the entire time. The day following their entry into Mobile, the third division, in which the 77th served, marched out of the city and proceeded up the Tombigbee river, in search of General Dick Taylor's army. It proceeded up the river about 60 miles, when it was re-called to Mobile - the rebel forces throughout the country having surrendered. Remained in camp in Mobile until July 10th, 1865, at which time it was mustered out of service, and ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for final payment and discharge, where it arrived July 23d, 1865.
The 77th Illinois, during its term of service was engaged in 16 battles and sieges, and in every one of them carried itself with honor and credit to the state.
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