Regiments History

Eighth Indiana Infantry. — Cols., William P. Benton, David Shunk, John R. Polk; Lieut. -Cols., Silas Colgrove, David Shunk, Charles S. Parrish, Alexander J. Kenny, John R. Polk, Joseph M. Thompson; Majs., David Shunk, Charles S. Parrish, Thomas J. Brady, Alexander J. Kenny, John R. Polk, Joseph M. Thompson, Jacob Widaman. This regiment was first organized for the three months’ service at Indianapolis, in April, 1861, and was mustered in April 25. It left the state on June 19, and moved to Clarksburg, thence to Buckhannon, W. Va., where it was assigned to Gen. Rosecrans’ brigade. It participated in the battle of Rich mountain and then went into camp at Beverly. It was mustered out at Indianapolis, Aug. 2, 1861. Its original strength was 784, and it lost by death, 7; desertion, 15 ; unaccounted for, 1. The regiment was at once reorganized at Indianapolis, and was mustered in Sept. 10, for three years. It left the state the same day and joined Fremont’s Army at St. Louis, Mo., from which place it moved to Jefferson City and was assigned to Col. Jefferson C. Davis’ brigade. It moved to Springfield, thence to Otterville, and on Dec. 17, marched to Warrensburg and assisted in capturing 1,300 of the enemy. It was in camp at Otterville until Jan. 24, 1862, when it moved to Springfield, joining Gen. Curtis’ command, and thence to Cross Timbers, Ark. It participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, was then in camp until April, and moved then to Sulphur Rock, Ark. On June 22, it moved for Helena, skirmished at the White river, was in the engagement at Cotton Plant July 7, and reached Helena July 13. It was in a skirmish at Austin in August, was sent to Sulphur hill, near St. Louis, Oct. 6, and was engaged in various movements during the fall and winter. It was ordered to join Grant’s forces at Milliken’s bend, La., Mar. 5, 1863, and was assigned to Benton’s brigade, Carr’s division, 13th corps. It was engaged at Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion’s hill, Black river bridge, and in the siege of Vicksburg, losing 117 in killed and wounded in the assault of June 22. July 5, it moved to Jackson returning on the 24th, and remained at Vicksburg until Aug. 20, when it moved to Carrollton to join Gen. Banks in his campaign through the Teche country. It took part in the capture of the fort on Mustang island, Tex., then moved to Indianola, where 417 out of 515 reenlisted as veterans, and were furloughed home in April, 1864. Upon returning to New Orleans it embarked, July 27, for Morganza bend, and was in the engagement at the Atchafalaya the next day. It was then ordered to Washington, D. C, reaching there Aug. 12, and marching to Berryville, Va., was assigned to the 19th corps with which it participated in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. It was engaged at the Opequan, Fisher’s hill, and Cedar creek, and left Virginia, Jan. 6, 1865, by steamer for Savannah, Ga. It was on duty in Georgia until Aug. 28, 1865, when it was mustered out. Its original strength was 1,046, and it gained by recruits, 190; reenlistments, 46; unassigned recruits, 17; total, 1,299. It lost by death, 245; desertion, 75; unaccounted for, 47.

Twenty-third Indiana Infantry. — Cols., William L. Sanderson, George S. Babbitt; Lieut. -Cols., DeWitt C. Anthony, William P. Davis, George S. Babbitt; Majs., William P. Davis, Henry C. Ferguson. This regiment was organized at New Albany and was mustered in July 29, 1861. It left the state a few days later, for St. Louis and was ordered thence to Paducah, Ky. In the attack on Fort Henry the regiment was placed on gunboats and several of Co. B were killed by an exploding boiler on the Essex. The regiment was engaged on the second day of the battle of Shiloh, losing 52, killed, wounded and missing, and during the siege of Corinth it formed part of the reserve at Pea ridge. It passed the summer at Bolivar and participated in the recapture of Iuka in September. It was then in various movements until Feb. 21, 1863, when it proceeded to Vicksburg. It was engaged in the various movements about that place, being at the battles of Port Gibson and Raymond, making a charge at the later place and capturing a number of prisoners, but losing a third of the number engaged. It was also at Champion’s hill and joined in the attack and capture of Jackson. It was in the front line at the siege of Vicksburg, losing during the time 55 in killed and wounded. It was not actively engaged during the fall and winter following, but was in a raid through Mississippi in February. It reenlisted at Hebron, Miss., during the winter and at the end of its furlough moved successively to Bird’s point, Mo., Clifton, Tenn., and Acworth, Ga. It was in battle or skirmish almost daily during the advance on Atlanta; pursued Hood through Alabama and Georgia in October; and then returned to join the move on Savannah. From this point it marched with its corps to Beaufort, S. C, and in Jan., 1865, took part in the campaign of the Carolina’s, being engaged at Bentonville and reaching Goldsboro on March 4. After Johnston’s surrender it marched to Washington City and thence to Louisville, where it was mustered out July 23, 1865. Its original strength was 1,050; gain by recruits, 477; reenlistment’s, 277; unassigned recruits, 36; total, 1,840. Loss by death, 154; desertion, 99; unaccounted for, 273
Regimental history taken from “The Union Army” by Federal Publishing Company, 1908

Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry. — Cols., John W. Ray, James Keigwin; Lieut. – Cols., Joseph H. Thornton, Arthur J. Hawhe, James Leeper, James A. Gardner; Majs., Joseph H. Thornton, Arthur J. Hawhe, James Leeper, John R. Hamacher. This regiment was organized at Jeffersonville and was mustered in Nov. 21, 1861. It left the state Dec. 11 for Bardstown, Ky., and left there Jan. 12, 1862, for Cumberland ford, where it remained until June, suffering greatly at the latter place from disease. It was in skirmishes at Big Tree gap and Cumberland gap in March; accompanied Gen. Morgan’s forces to Cumberland gap in June, and occupied the place on the 18th, the enemy retiring the same day. It remained there until September, when it joined in the retreat to the Ohio river, reaching Greenupsburg, Ky., early in October. It proceeded to Coal Mouth, W. Va., and in November was ordered to Memphis, joining Sherman’s army on the expedition to Vicksburg. It was in the battle at Chickasaw bluffs, losing 56 in killed and wounded, and was in the expedition against Arkansas Post. It assisted in digging a canal across Young’s point, and then moved for the rear of Vicksburg, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion’s hill and Black River bridge. It was then engaged in the siege of Vicksburg until its fall, including the assault of May 22. It took part in the seven days’ siege of Jackson in July, and was ordered to New Orleans in August, being assigned to the Department of the Gulf. It moved to Berwick’s bay, took part in the Teche expedition, going as far as Opelousas, and on its return to New Orleans was ordered to Texas, reaching Matagorda Peninsula, Dec. 14. It moved to Indianola, where on Feb. 3, 1864, 171 reenlisted. It embarked at Matagorda island April 19, for Alexandria, La., where it reinforced Banks’ army and was in continuous skirmishes until May 13, when the army retreated to the Mississippi. It returned to New Orleans, was furloughed home in July, was ordered to Lexington, Ky., at the expiration of its furlough, and remained there until Sept. 7. It then proceeded to Louisville, where it was mustered out Sept. 13, 1865, having marched 8,000 miles during its service. Its original strength was 974; gain by recruits, 294; reenlistments, 177; total, 1,445. Loss by death, 238; desertion, 94; unaccounted for, 42.

Regimental history taken from “The Union Army” by Federal Publishing Company, 1908

History, Genealogy, Early Settlers and Historical Points of Interest in Perry County, Indiana