89th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment

89th Illinois Infantry Regiment
John M. Farquhar, who received the Medal of Honor, served in the 89th Illinois. He was later a Member of United States House of Representatives from New York
Active	August 27, 1862 – June 24, 1865
Disbanded	June 24, 1865
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Nickname(s)	Railroad Regiment
Motto(s)	Clear the Tracks
Engagements	American Civil War
Commanders
Colonel	John Christopher
Colonel	Charles Truman Hotchkiss

The 89th Illinois Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Railroad Regiment, was an infantry regiment that served between August 27, 1862, and June 24, 1865, during the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 89th Illinois Infantry was organized at Chicago, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on August 27, 1862. The regiment was nicknamed the "Railroad Regiment" due to the important role Chicago-based railroad companies had in raising and filing the regiment's roster. The regiment's motto, "Clear the Tracks" was stitched onto the national flag.

It participated in the battles of Stones River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge, Pickett's Mill, the Atlanta Campaign, and Nashville. Its brigade commander for most of the American Civil War was August Willich- regimental commander for most of the war was Charles Truman Hotchkiss. Major John M. Farquhar- then Sergeant Major- was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic service at the Battle of Stones River. The regiment was mustered out on June 10, 1865, and discharged at Chicago on June 24, 1865.

The regiment suffered 12 officers and 121 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 1 officer and 172 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 306 fatalities.