McIlvain, John M

John M McIlvain

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Sergeant- Company A, 64th Ohio Infantry

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

January 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

John M McIlvain enlisted into the 64th Ohio Infantry under the command of Brigadier General Harker and Division General Wood. He was a seargant in Company A.

The 64th Ohio fought in the battle of Perryville on October 8th, 1862 and were stationed in Nashville, TN afterwards. They remained in Nashville until December 26th, 1862 when they received orders to march to Murfreesboro. They arrived on December 30th, where they prepared for the looming battle.

At the battle of Stones River, the 64th Ohio was positioned along the railroad tracks near the west fork of the Stones River. The Confederate Army of Tennessee made contact with Union soldiers on December 31st, 1862, sweeping around their right flank in a J-shaped position. At 9am, Harker's brigade was sent to a position along Asbury Lane to function as reserves as the Confederates pushed towards the area. At 10am, they made contact on Asbury Lane and Harker's brigade, alongside general Fyffe and eventually S. Beatty's brigades, held the Confederates there for 3 hours. At 1pm on December 31st, Harker and the 64th Ohio were pushed to a new position on the right flank of the Union line along the Nashville Pike, and they remained there until nightfall.

On January 1st and 2nd, Harker's brigade held a position on the left flank of the Union line, now on the railroad tracks, and defended against various skirmishes throughout the duration.

John M McIlvain is listed as a battle casualty at the battle of Stones River. It is unknown where or how he died, but his service in the 64th Ohio was instrumental at the battle of Stones River in keeping the right flank of the Union secure.

John M McIlvain is buried in plot F-2343 in the Stones River National Cemetery.