Col. James A. Mulligan

Mulligan's Battery (Battery L, 1st Illinois Light Artillery) was organized in February 2001 under the command of 1st Sgt. Dennis Kelly. Most of the members of the battery belong to the Gen. George A. Custer and Gen. Phillip H. Sheridan SUVCW Camps from the Greater Chicago area. The unit was established to honor the original battery that served under Col. James A. Mulligan during the early part of the war.

The original battery was organized at Chicago, Ill. and mustered into service on February 22, 1862. The unit saw duty under Col. Mulligan (acting Commandant) at Camp Douglas, Chicago, guarding prisoners until June, 1862. Ordered to Harper's Ferry, W. Virginia on June 14, 1862, the battery served the remaining portion of the war with the Railroad District of the 8th Army Corp. in W. Virginia guarding the ever-important Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The Battery saw occasional action in the district while also participating in numerous expeditions and operations within West Virginia.

Today, the battery is primarily a ceremonial unit, focusing on historical accuracy and promoting local Civil War interest. Members of the unit visit a number of schools in the Chicago area, presenting Civil War material to students.

They conduct Memorial Day services plus attend a number of statewide events each year, like the Lincoln Death Day Ceremony in Springfield and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Founder's Ceremony in Petersburg. The unit also performs Color Guard duties for the Department of Illinois SUVCW and attends memorial services sponsored by local Illinois SUVCW Camps.

Contact:

1st Lt. Thomas Hauff, Commander
1227 Pine Street
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 998-6177

Sgt. Ted Ill, Adjutant
550 Meadow
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 960-2648
Email: tedd1968@gmail.com