- Name: Cleop. Breckenridge
Residence: Springfield, Illinois
Enlistment Date: 16 Aug 1861
Side Served: Union
State Served: Illinois
Death Date: 11 May 1912
Service Record: Promoted to Full Privateate (Reduced at own request).
Enlisted as a Sergeant on 16 August 1861.
Enlisted in Company D, 33rd Infantry Regiment Illinois on 16 Aug 1861.
Mustered Out Company D, 33rd Infantry Regiment Illinois on 11 Oct 1864.
WOUNDED AT VICKSBURG MISS EXPIRATION TERM OF SERVICE
Sources: 7,330
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Regiment: 33rd Infantry Regiment Illinois
Date of Organization: 3 Sep 1861
Muster Date: 24 Nov 1865
Regiment State: Illinois
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 33rd
Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 2
Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 1
Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 56
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 250
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers
Regimental History
ILLINOIS
THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
(Three Years)
The Thirty-third Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organ-
ized at Camp Butler, Illinois, in the month of September, 1861, by Colonel Chas. E. Hovey, and mustered into the United States service by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A.
September 20, moved to Ironton, Mo., via St. Louis. Re-
mained at Ironton during the winter, with occasional scouts into the country. On one of these the battle of Fredericktown was fought - Company A on skirmish line. March 1862, moved, with the command of General Steele, southward, passing into Arkansas at Pitman's Ferry, and marching, via Pocahontas and Jacksonport, to Batesville, where it joined General Curtis' army; thence, via Jacksonport, Augusta and Clarendon, to Helena.
July 7, at Cache creek, or Cotton Plant, several companies
participated in a battle with Texas rangers, in which Company A rescued and brought off a field piece belonging to our cavalry. The rebels had a large number killed, and were pursued for some miles. According to our official report one hundred and twenty three rebel dead were found on the main battlefield, and a number were killed in the pursuit. Seven were killed and fifty-seven wounded on the Union side; none killed in the Thirty-third.
During July and August were camped 20 miles south of He-
lena, and engaged in eight expeditions up and down the river.
September 1, was moved up the river to Sulphur Springs,
and thence to Pilot Knobb, where it arrived in the middle of the October, 1862.
November 15, was moved to Van Buren, Ark., in Colonel Har-
ris' Brigade, Brigadier General W.P. Benton's Division, of General Davidson's Corps. Made winter campaign in southeast Missouri, passing through Patterson, Van Buren, Alton, West Plains, Eminence and Centreville, and returned to Bellevue Valley, near Pilot Knob, about March 1,1863.
The Thirty-third was then ordered to Ste. Genevieve, Mo.,
where, with the command, it embarked for Milliken's Bend, La.
Attached to the First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, it was engaged in all its battles, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Cbampion Hills, Black River Bridge, assault and siege of Vicksburg, and the siege of Jackson.
April 28, in company with a large force, embarked and ran
down to Grand Gulf, where we watched next day the five-hours fight between the gun-boat fleet and the rebel batteries. The fleet having failed to silence the rebel guns, the troops marched across the bend to the river below, and the fleet ran past during the night, through a heavy fire, which however did but little injury even to the frail transport boats.
Next day, April 30, again embarked, ran down the river
some miles and landed on the Mississippi side. May 1, the
Regiment opened the fight on both the right and the left of the field; and the Thirteenth Corps mainly fought and won it. Four companies of the Thirty-third under Major Potter deployed as skirmishers on the left, developed the position of the enemy, and drew an artillery fire, holding the position until relieved by General Osterhans' Division.
Next morning, May 2, entered Port Gibson without further
resistance, found the suspension bridge across the bayou
burned; and the Thirty-third built, in four hours, a practicable floating bridge, over which the army marched.
On the 16th was fought the battle of Champion Hills.
The First Division was held in reserve until near the
close, but was in the advance is the pursuit, and pressed the enemy closely until dark, when it halted at Edwards' Station, and captured there a quantity of stores. Early in our advance, two men in Company C were killed by a stray or accidental shot.
At daybreak, May 17, were in motion, the Thirty-third
leading the advance and mostly deployed as skirmishers. Before 7 A.M., were engaged with the rebel works in front of the bridge and trestle at Black River. At about 10 A.M., a grand charge swept the enemy out of their works, capturing many hundreds of prisoners. Seventeen pieces of artillery were taken, fourteen of them being first seized by men of the Thirty-third Regiment. Company B was detailed to escort the captured cannon to Haines' Bluff.
May 19, first saw the fortifications at Vicksburg, moved
up through the valleys under their fire, and at one time had preliminary orders to join in Sherman's partial assault, but received no final order to charge. Details took part in the fighting as sharpshooters. May 20, Captain Norton was wounded by a "spent ball," and Captain Kellogg was killed.
May 22, joined in the grand assault. Three companies were
sent out as sharp-shooters, and Company B was on detached duty, leaving six companies to charge in line - probably not exceeding two hundred and fifty men. Seventy-five or six of these - nearly one third were hit, twelve being killed on the field and several mortally wounded. Reached the rebel works, tent were repulsed with the rest of the army; and at nightfall withdrew to a less exposed position, and began the six weeks' siege.
June 1, a careful compilation of losses since crossing the
river showed nineteen of the Regiment killed in action, and one hundred and two wounded, of whom ten had already died in hospital. Some additional loss was suffered during the rest of the siege. July 4 came the welcome surrender of the rebel stronghold and its garrison of over thirty thousand men.
Again no time was wasted in ceremony. July 5, marched
with the main army to Black River to oppose General Johnston; and by the 10th had pushed the enemy back to Jackson. On the night of the 16th the place was evacuated. After tearing up the railroad tracks for some miles, returned to Vicksburg July 24.
In August, moved to New Orleans with the Thirteenth Corps.
In October, with Brigade of Colonel Shunk, Eighth Indiana, Major General C. C. Washburne's Division, and Major General O. C. Ord's Corps, engaged in the campaign up the Bayon Teche. Returned to New Orleans in November. Thence ordered to Brownsville, Texas, but, before landing, was ordered to Aransas Pass.
Disembarked on St. Joseph Island, marched up St. Joseph Island and Matagorda Island to Saluria, participating in the capture of Fort Esperanza. Thence moved to Indianola and Port Lavaca.
The First Brigade, while on the main land of Texas, was
commanded by Brigadier General Fitz Henry Warren.
January 1, 1864, the Regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and
March 14 reached Bloomington, Illinois, and received veteran furlough.
April 18,1864, Regiment was reorganized at Camp Butler,
Illinois, and proceeded to New Orleans, via Alton and St. Louis - arriving 29th, and camping at Carrolton.
May 17, ordered to Brashear City, La. Soon after its ar-
rival the Regiment was scattered along the line of the road, as guard, as follows: company F, C and K, at Bayou Boeuf; Company
I, Bayou L'Ours; Company A and D, Tigerville; Company G, Chacahoula; Company E, Terre Bonne; Company B, Bayou Lafourche and Bayou des Allemands; Company H, Boutte. Regimental Headquarters, Terre Bonne. The District was called the "District of Lafourche," commanded by Brigadier General Robert A. Cameron, Headquarters at Thibodaux.
September 17, 1864, the non veterans of the Regiment were
started home, via New York City, in charge of rebel prisoners, and mustered out at Camp Butler, about October 11, 1864.
March 2,1865, ordered to join the Sixteenth Army Corps.
Near Boutte Station the train was thrown from the track, and nine men - five of A, three of D, and one of G - were killed; and no less than seventy two more were enumerated by name and description as more or less injured, many of them very severely, two or three of whom subsequently died in hospital, and others were discharged from service disabled. The heaviest loss in wounded fell upon Companies A and D - G, E and I coming next in number, and every company suffering more or less, except C and F, which were at the rear of the train.
On the 18th, Regiment embarked on Lake Pontchartrain, for
Mobile expedition. Company K, remaining behind to guard transportation, joined the Regiment April 11, at Blakely. Moved, via Fort Gaines and Navy Cove, and landed on Fish River, Ala., and marched with General Canby's army up east side of Mobile Bay. The Regiment was in the First Brigade, Colonel W. W. McMillan, Ninety-fifth Ohio; First Division, Brigadier General McArthur; Sixteenth Army Corps, Major General A. J. Smith.
March 27. arrived in front of Spanish Fort, the main de-
fense of Mobile, and, until its capture, April 8, was actively engaged. Loss, one killed, two died of wounds, and nine wounded.
After the surrender of Mobile, marched, April 13, 1865,
with the Sixteenth Corps, for Montgomery, Alabama, where it arrived on 25th, and encamped on the Alabama River. Here it received the news of Lee's and Johnson's surrender, after which its operations were not of a hostile character.
May 10, marched to Selma, and May 17 by rail, to Meridian,
Mississippi. Here remained. In the latter part of July the
Regiment was filled above the maximum, by men transferred from Seventy-second, One Hundred and Seventeenth, One Hundred and Twenty-second, and One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois.
Moved to Vicksburg., April 14,1865, and remained at that
place until mustered out of service, November 24, 1865, and ordered to Camp Butler, Illinois, for final payment and discharge.
December 6, 1865, the enlisted men of the entire Regiment
received their final pay, and discharge from the military service, at the hands of Paymaster Maj. Carnahan. The commissioned officers were paid and discharged next day, December 7, 1865; and the Thirty-third Illinois Regiment ceased to exist. Its record of over four years of faithful service was finished.
From first to last, about nineteen hundred and twenty-four
names were borne on its muster rolls. The Regiment had three Colonels, six Lieutenant Colonels, and five Majors. Four companies had two Captains each; four had three each, one had four Captains, and one five. Only one of the original field and staff officers belonged to the Regiment at the final discharge - Surgeon Rex. Of the line officers, two only remained who had been officers at the outset - Captains Smith and Lyon - and they had been promoted from Lieutenants; all the other line officers had "risen from the ranks;" as had also the Major, Ad-
jutant and Quartermaster.
The surviving members of the Regiment at this date (1886)
are scattered far and wide engaged in various occupations, and with various fortunes. Many have held official stations in civil life. All but a very few have added to the merit of their military record that of an honorable and useful citizenship.
Several Regimental reunions have been held, and the last
printed roster shows the post office address of a little over five hundred survivors living in over twenty different States and Territories, one third of them having emigrated west of the Mississippi River.
Source: Illinois Adjutant-General's Report, vol. 2, p. 651
Battles Fought
Fought on 26 Dec 1861.
Fought on 4 Aug 1862 at Wilkinson's Landing, MS.
Fought on 14 Sep 1862 at Prentiss, MS.
Fought on 14 Sep 1862.
Fought on 19 Sep 1862 at Bolivar, TN.
Fought on 22 Sep 1862.
Fought on 28 Sep 1862 at Mississippi.
Fought on 28 Sep 1862.
Fought on 15 Oct 1862.
Fought on 25 Feb 1863.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Port Gibson, MS.
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Champion's Hill, MS.
Fought on 17 May 1863 at Black River Bridge, MS.
Fought on 20 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 21 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 22 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 24 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 29 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 31 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 1 Jun 1863.
Fought on 13 Jul 1863.
Fought on 15 Jul 1863 at Black River Bridge, MS.
Fought on 15 Apr 1864.
Fought on 2 Mar 1865 at Boutte Station, LA.
Fought on 31 Mar 1865 at Fort Blakely, AL.
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Notes |
- Residence: Cotton Hill, Sangamon Co, Illinois 1870-1880, at which time his father Preston was living with him and his family.
1880 census of Cotton Hill shows: Cleophas, Lillian, Inez A, Ida B., Cleophas' father: Preston, also Preston's daughter-in-law and children: Minerva, Herbert, Edith A. Breckenridge.
Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon Co, Illinois, 1900-1910
Enlisted in Army August 18, 1861, for three years, in Co D, 33d Illinois Infantry. He was dangerously wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, but recovered, served to the end of his term, and was honorably discharged October 18, 1864, at Springfield.
BRECKENRIDGE, CLEOP SGT D 33 IL US INF SPRINGFIELD
He married Lillian T Cave (b: 12 Aug 1848 Kentucky) on January 30, 1868 in Montgomery Co, Illinois in the home of Johnson and Mary (Thomas) Cave. Said of Lilly in Portrait Biographical Al bum of Sangamon Co, Illinois, "She was the recipienf good educational advantages and excellent home training, and developed the graces of mind and heart that give her influence and prominence in society and qualify her to discharge the maniforld duties that belong to wifehood and motherhood." And as said of their daughters, Inez and Ida, "The young ladies are educated, refined and pleasing in manners, ornaments to society and useful in religious and benevolent circles."
(History of Sangamon County, 1881) Mr. C. Breckenridge now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land valued at $50 an acre; two hundred and fifty acres are under good cultivation. He raises grain and fees cattle for market. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, at the south fork, which, at present, is in a flourishing condition. In politics, he is a Republican.
(Portrait, Biographical Album of Sangamon Co, Illinois) - of Cleophas: 'Mr Breckenridge has filled some of the school offices in a manner credible to his judgment and beneficial to the people. Socially he holds membership in Stephenson Post . 30, G.A.R. Springifle, Ill, of which he is a Past Commander. In politics he is a Republican of the strongest type, who is fully persuaded of the justice of the principles he supports and labors to promulgate. the entire family belongs to the Christian Church and Mr. Breckenridge has held various official positions therein, among them the offices of Deacon and Elder. An hour cannot be spent in his company without instruction and pleasure being derived from his conversation, and his genial manners -- those of the best type of the Southern gentleman -- win the favor of strangers as well as of more intimate associates."
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Biography
Note:
Cleophas C. Breckenridge: The Breckenridge homestead consists of four hundred and two acres of the valuable land that makes Sangamon County a fit home for enterprising and progressive farmers. It forms a part of section 1, Cotton Hill Township, and is furnished with all the modern conveniences for the perfect transaction of the work to which it is devoted and the comfort of the family which made it their home. The buildings are first class in design and construction and include an especially comfortable and well furnished dwelling which, with its surroundings, is represented by a view elsewhere in this volume. In this edifice, a room has been set apart for the large and interesting collection of relics that have been secured by Mr. Breckenridge, and that forms a veritable museum of curious and valuable mementoes of the war and other specimens, such as well repay examination. Many of these relics were obtained at great trouble and would prove a valuable addition to the collection preserved by the State in the museum at Springfield. In Bourbon County, Ky., near Paris, the late Preston Breckenridge was born August 5, 1807, and in Nicholas County the eyes of Catherine Moler opened to the light, August 30, 1804. This couple were united in marriage at the bride's home November 17, 1827, and spent a few years of wedded life in the county where their marriage took place. They then removed to this county, arriving in October, 1834, and at once taking up their residence on the farm now owned and operated by their son, our subject. The faithful wife and mother died February 4, 1847, and the father subsequently married Lucy D. Robb, who survived until November 18, 1854. Mr. Breckenridge lived until July 26, 1880, reaching a goodly old age. His first marriage was blessed by the birth of seven sons and five daughters. He was a near relation of Hon. John C. Breckenridge, whose connection with politics is well known and belongs to the annals of history. The gentleman of whom we write was the sixth child of his parents and was born in the township in which he still lives, August 7, 1836. He passed his boyhood and youth amid the usual surroundings of a farm and in the pursuance of the studies and occupations suited to his years, developing his natural abilities, both physical and mental, and fully equipping himself for the battle of life. The vocation in which his respected father was engaged was that which he chose as his own, and the success that has crowned his efforts proves the wisdom of his choice. It needs but a glance over his broad fields to convince the beholder that he makes of his calling both an art and a science, and he is a close student of the physical conditions that increase or diminish the crop prospect. The patriotism that slumbers in the breast of every true American was aroused to its highest pitch in the heart of Mr. Breckenridge when the attempt was made on the National life in 1861 and before the summer was past he was enrolled among his country's defenders. His name was attached to the muster roll of Company D, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry and ere long he was at the front winning the admiration of his comrades and the commendation of his superior officers for his bravery, devotion to duty and cheerfulness under all circumstances. "My country first, my personal comfort afterward," was the burden of his actions, and no duty was too severe for his gallant spirit to endure so long as it promised to keep intact the old flag. At the assault on Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, he was severely wounded in the right side and was unable to do duty for several weeks. Besides that famed encounter, he took part in the battles of Fredericktown, Cotton Plant, Magnolia Hill, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, the second battle of Jackson, Ft. Esperanza and Coldwater. At the residence of Johnson and Mary (Thomas) Cave, in Montgomery County, this State, January 30, 1868, the marriage rites of Mr. Breckenridge and Lillian T. Cave were solemnized. The bride was the second child and eldest daughter of the host and hostess who had removed from their native State, Kentucky, to this county in 1861 and thence departed to Montgomery County. Mrs. Breckenridge was born in Ballard County, Ky., August 12, 1848. She was the recipient of good educational advantages and excellent home training, and developed the graces of mind and heart, that give her influence and prominence in society and qualify her to discharge the manifold duties that belong to wifehood and motherhood. She is the mother of three children, one of whom was removed from earth in infancy. The survivors are Inez A., now the wife of C. F. Spicer, and Ida B., who yet brightens the parental fireside by her presence. The young ladies are educated , refined and pleasing in manners, ornaments to society and useful in religious and benevolent circles. Mr. Breckenridge has filled some of the school offices in a manner creditable to his judgment and beneficial to the people. Socially he holds membership in Stephenson Post, No. 30, G.A.R., Springfield, Ill., of which he is Past Commander. In politics he is a Republican of the strongest type, who is fully persuaded of the justice of the principles he supports and labors to promulgate. The entire family belongs to the Christian Church and Mr. Breckenridge has held various official positions therein, among them the offices of Deacon and Elder. An hour cannot be spent in his company without instruction and pleasure being derived from his conversation, and his genial manners - those of the best type of the Southern gentleman - win the favor of strangers as well as of more intimate associates.
Title: Portrait & Biographical Album of Sangamon County, Illinois (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1891)
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Biography
Note:
Cleophas Breckenridge, son of Preston and Catharine (Moler) Breckenridge. The father was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 5, 1807; the mother was also born in Kentucky. They were married November 17, 1827, and came to this county in 1834. They had thirteen children - twelve grown to maturity - eight sons and four daughters. The father was elected to the legislature of 1852-2, beating Abraham Lincoln for the nomination. He was also a member of the board of supervisors for the year of 1873. He died July 25, 1880. Cleophas, Hugh, Joseph and Preston were in the army. The name Breckenridge was derived from a circumstance that occurred in one of the religious wars that took place in Scotland. Two brothers, named McIlvain, were Protestants, and engaged in the conflict, when their party was defeated. They took refuge on a ridge, escaped and came to America, settling in Virginia, and in remembrance took the name of "Brack-on-ridge," from whom the family descended. Mr. Breckenridge has in his possession a twig plucked from this brack or bush in Scotland, and brought to America by John Craig. Mr. B., is a lover of strange and quaint old relics, and of the many among his collection are two gourds, carried by his grandfather through the War of 1812, one of which he used for dipping water and the other for carrying priming powder. Mr. B., also has a pocket compass used by his grandfather during the same war, for a guide in cloudy weather, and as a time piece when the sun shone. The subject of this sketch was the sixth son, and was born in this township, at the old homestead, August 7, 1836. He was married to Lillian T. Cave, from Kentucky, January 30, 1868. They have two children living: Inez A., and Ida B.; one who died in infancy. When Mr. B., first settled here, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and commenced farming, and erected a carding machine, the first in this section of the country; also owned and run the first water mill on the south fork of the Sangamon river. Mr. C. Breckenridge now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land valued at $50 an acre; two hundred and fifty acres are under good cultivation. He raises grain, and feeds cattle for market. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, at the south fork, which, at present, is in a flourishing condition. In politics, he is a Republican.
Title: Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1881, History of Sangamon County, Illinois
Note: page 877
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Will: 22 June 1912 Lillian T. Breckenridge, executrix. Widow & Heirs - Lillian T. Breckenridge, Inez A. Spicer, Ida A. Simpson; Inventory filed 24 June 1912 in Record Book 23 p 503; final report approved 23 Jun 1912.
(Sangamon Co. Court Records at Family History Library: Film 1313283 Illinois. Probate Court Sangamon Co, Wills, Conservatorships, Guardianships, Appraisements, Book 23 p 161 #8179.)
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