This is the Civil War story of the 24th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and the men who made up this fine regiment. It is the story of leaders in the German and Hungarian Revolutions of 1848 who came together as officers and men of this unit to fight and die for the preservation of their newly adopted country, against slavery, and for the unification of their adopted nation. It was embroiled in a near mutiny, attempted murder, and the sacking of an Alabama town that resulted in the court martial of the regiment and brigade commanders. Division commanders mentioned the 24th as having saved the Union's left line from being over-run at Perryville. They captured the strategically important bridge over the Tennessee River at Decatur, Alabama; was the lead regiment in the capture of Huntsville, Alabama; and played an important role in repulsing the Confederate charge on the Union's left at the Battle of Chickamauga. They traveled and campaigned in Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama and fought hard in the battles of Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, and Kennesaw Mountain.