8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Years)

The 8th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (3 years) was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Service
The 8th Illinois Infantry was organized from the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Months) at Cairo, Illinois on July 25, 1861. The 8th Illinois saw action at the Battle of Fort Henry, the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, the Second Battle of Corinth, the Vicksburg Campaign, and the Mobile Campaign.

The regiment mustered out of service on May 4, 1866 at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Among the notables that served in the regiment was Major Hermann Lieb, who later commanded the Union forces at the Battle of Milliken's Bend.

Total strength and casualties
The battery suffered 6 officers and 160 enlisted men killed in action or died of wounds and 155 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 321 fatalities.

Commanders

 * Colonel Richard J. Oglesby - promoted brigadier general April 1, 1862
 * Colonel Frank L. Rhoades - resigned October 7, 1862
 * Colonel John P. Post - resigned September 28, 1863
 * Colonel Josiah A. Sheetz - mustered out with the regiment