The field, staff, and line officers were "mustered in" as follows:
After the re-organization of the Regiment, it remained at Cairo, Ill., until September 5th, 1861. During this time they were principally engaged in doing guard duty and drilling. The great matter was to have men well drilled. War was a new occupation to most of them. They were men who had been spending their lives quietly at home on their farms, behind their counters, in their offices, and among their tools in the work-shop. The peaceful walks of life were those they were accustomed to tread. When their country was threatened by those who would destroy it, at the call of that country, they left those peaceful walks and rushed to its defence. It was new work, and they must be trained for it. Much patient drill must be passed through. The officers themselves, many of them, must learn what a military life is, and how to do its work. The men must, day after day, endure the patient drill. They must learn the picket's duty, and how to perform it. They must learn that while on picket each picket is, for the time being, commander-in-chief of his post. When he cries "Halt," his order is law. No Captain; no Colonel; no General, dare disobey it, unless he has his pass or can give the "countersign." A Corporal in Co. E, once narrated to me his first experience in picket duty. He was handling his gun rather awkwardly. The officer of the guard came along and reproved him for his awkwardness. "Let me have your gun, sir, until I show you how to hold it." Anxious to learn every part of a soldier's duty, in all the simplicity of his heart, he handed his gun over to the officer. "Now, sir, what are you going to do for your gun? Suppose I was the enemy, what kind of a fix would you be in?" He at once saw the embarrassment of his position. "Did you ever stand picket before?" "No, sir." "On that account you are excusable; but on no other. Never give up your gun again; no officer, no General has any right to it." It was a wholesome lesson. He profited by it. From that time forward, no man ever got his gun when on picket.
On the 5th day of September, 1861, the Regiment left Cairo, Ill., embarked on a steamer and moved up the Ohio River to Paducah, Ky. Here it occupied the advance position on the Columbus road.
Col. E. A. Paine was promoted to be Brigadier General, September 3d, and Lieut. Col. August Mersy being absent, Major Jesse J. Phillips assumed command of the Regiment.
On the 8th day of September, 1861, Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith relieved Brig. Gen. Paine of the command at Paducah, and Lieut. Col. Mersy returned and relieved Major Phillips of the command of the Regiment.
Adjutant Newsham was detached as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, and Quartermaster Pinckard as Acting Assistant Quartermaster.
About the 20th of September, Brig. Gen. Paine was assigned to the command of the 1st Brigade. This Brigade consisted of the following regiments: 9th Ill. Inft., 12th Ill. Inft., 40th Ill. Inft., 41st Ill. Inft., Buel's Battery, and Thielmann's Independent Cavalry Battalion. Lieut. Adam, of Co. A, 9th Regt., was detached as Act. Assist. Adj. Gen. of the 1st Brigade.
On the 3d day of October, 1861, Adjutant Nusham was promoted to be Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, and assigned to duty on Gen. Smith's staff.
By this time the boys were getting anxious for a fight. To use a common expression, they were "spoiling for a fight." They felt that now they were ready to fight with and conquer the whole South. On October 15th, 1861, a portion of the Regiment had an opportunity to try their pluck. Major Phillips, with Companies B, H, and I, filled to their maximum by details from other companies, with Lieut. Patterson as aid to commanding officer, moved up the Cumberland River above Eddyville, where they disembarked. It was ascertained that a detachment of 300 rebel cavalry were in camp at Saratoga. Major Phillips moved upon them, surprised and completely routed them; killing from 10 to 15, wounding from 25 to 30, and capturing 20. Major Phillips' detachment had Capt. Kneffner slightly wounded, and Corporal Greblig of Co. B, and private Gatewood of Co. K, severely wounded. It returned to camp on the 16th of October, bringing in the prisoners and a large amount of captured property.