It was among scores of regiments that were raised in the summer of 1864 as Hundred Days Men, an effort to augment existing manpower for an all-out push to end the war within 100 days and served its term of enlistment as a garrison unit in Paducah, Kentucky.

The 132nd Illinois was organized at Camp Fry in Chicago and mustered in for 100 days on 1 June 1864, under the command of Colonel Thomas J.

It was attached to the District of Columbus, Kentucky, part of the 6th Division, XVI Corps, Department of the Tennessee.

[1] After pro-Confederate guerrillas were reported to have fired shots at boats on the Tennessee River and harassed Unionists, an expedition of 200 men from the 132nd Illinois and 400 men from the 8th United States Colored Heavy Artillery under the command of 132nd Illinois Major John H. Peck was sent to Haddix's Ferry below Aurora on 25 July.

After landing there two days later, the expedition pursued a group of guerrillas inland and routed them, killing five, wounding several, and capturing seven.