On August 10, 1861, at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, the regiment suffered 106 soldiers killed in action or mortally wounded, one of the highest numbers of fatalities suffered by any Union infantry regiment in a single engagement during the American Civil War.
[2] The 1st Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Lincoln near Leavenworth, Kansas from May 20 to June 30, 1861, the greatest number of men being recruited between May 20 and June 3.
It then mustered in for three years' service under the command of Colonel George Washington Deitzler.
Moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in anticipation of General Curtis' New Mexico Expedition April and May.
Ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, and duty guarding Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
Operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad to the Yocknapatalfa River November 1862 to January 1863.
Moved to Lake Providence, Louisiana, February 8, and provost duty there until July.
Actions at Old River, Hood's Lane, Black Bayou, Mississippi, and near Lake Providence February 10.
Moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, October, and duty at Big Black River and near Haynes' Bluff until June, 1864.
Scout from Bovina Station to Baldwyn's Ferry November 1.
Attacked on riverboat W. R. Arthur near Columbia, Arkansas, June 2.
Duty there as Headquarters Guard and escort, Department of Arkansas, until August 1865.