99th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 99th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at South Bend, Indiana, during August and September 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, it was mustered into Federal service on October 21, 1862, and participated in numerous major campaigns and battles until its muster out in June 1865. The regiment was notable for its extensive service with the Army of the Tennessee and its involvement in the Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Carolinas campaigns.

The 99th Indiana Infantry was composed of companies primarily recruited in the 6th Congressional district, with three companies originally intended for the 96th Indiana reassigned to complete its organization. The regiment served the Union cause throughout the remainder of the Civil War.

Organization & Service

The 99th Indiana Infantry was organized at South Bend, Indiana, in August and September 1862. Three companies initially recruited for the 96th Indiana were reassigned to the 99th to complete its formation. The regiment was mustered into service on October 21, 1862, and departed Indiana in November for Memphis, Tennessee. Upon arrival, it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps.

The regiment participated in the Tallahatchie expedition and, upon its return, performed railroad guard duty at La Grange and Moscow, Tennessee, during the winter of 1862–1863. In May 1863, the 99th moved to Memphis and then by steamer to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it joined the army besieging the city. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment advanced toward Jackson, Mississippi, engaging in a skirmish at the Big Black River and participating in the siege of Jackson. The regiment was under heavy artillery fire for three days, assisted in destroying railroads and public buildings, and was involved in the capture of Brownsville.

After remaining at Big Black River until late September 1863, the regiment moved to Memphis and marched through Corinth, Iuka, Decherd, and Stevenson, reaching Chattanooga in time for the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The 99th Indiana was at the head of the column pursuing Confederate forces and fought a sharp engagement with the enemy’s rear guard. The regiment then participated in the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville, enduring difficult conditions with limited supplies.

From Knoxville, the regiment moved to Scottsboro, Alabama, where it remained until February 11, 1864. It then moved into East Tennessee and was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge. Returning to Scottsboro, the 99th joined the Army of the Tennessee for the Atlanta Campaign, taking part in actions at Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Decatur, and the battles before Atlanta on July 22 and July 28, 1864. The regiment was engaged in continuous skirmishing in front of Atlanta from August 3 to 15, and later fought at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station.

After camping at East Point, the regiment joined the pursuit of Hood’s forces, engaging at Little River. The 99th Indiana then marched with Sherman’s army to Savannah, participating in skirmishes at the Cannouchee and Ogeechee Rivers and the assault on Fort McAllister. In 1865, the regiment marched through the Carolinas, fought at Duck Creek and the Edisto River, occupied Columbia, South Carolina, and engaged at Bentonville. The regiment then moved to Goldsboro, Raleigh, Richmond, and finally Washington, D.C. The 99th Indiana Infantry was mustered out on June 5, 1865, with remaining recruits transferred to the 48th Indiana Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Tallahatchie Expedition (1862)
• Railroad guard duty at La Grange and Moscow (Winter 1862–1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
• Skirmish at Big Black River (July 1863)
• Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Capture of Brownsville (July 1863)
• Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Pursuit of Bragg’s forces and engagement at Graysville (November 1863)
• Relief of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
• Rocky Face Ridge (February 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Decatur, Battle of Atlanta (July 22 and 28), Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station
• Pursuit of Hood, engagement at Little River (October 1864)
• March to the Sea: Cannouchee and Ogeechee Rivers, Fort McAllister (December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (1865): Duck Creek, Edisto River, occupation of Columbia, Battle of Bentonville
• March to Goldsboro, Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. (Spring 1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the 99th Indiana Infantry was 900 men, with an additional 84 recruits, totaling 984. The regiment lost 178 men by death, 38 by desertion, and 2 were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Alexander Fowler
• Colonel Josiah Farrar
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. De Hart
• Lieutenant Colonel John M. Berkey
• Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Farrar
• Lieutenant Colonel William V. Powell
• Major John M. Berkey
• Major Joseph B. Harnan
• Major William V. Powell
• Major Samuel Moore

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 99th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 99th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Carolinas campaigns)
• Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• “The Union Army,” Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 3