It was most notably commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson and Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair II, and served in the Western Theater.

At the time it was created the XIII Corps constituted the entire Army of the Tennessee under Ulysses S. Grant.

It fought the Battle of Raymond and captured Jackson alongside William T. Sherman's XV Corps.

While most of the XVII Corps was left in Mississippi, William T. Sherman took the 2nd Division, led by Brig.

Two of Smith's brigades (led by Green Berry Raum and Karl Leopold Matthies) took a significant part in the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

When Ransom died of exposure during the pursuit of John Bell Hood's army Blair returned shortly after to command of the corps.

The division was led by Thomas K. Smith and fought in many of the important battles during Red River Campaign.