Overview
The 101st Indiana Infantry (Union Army, Infantry) was organized at Wabash, Indiana, in August 1862 and mustered into Federal service on September 7, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in major campaigns and battles from Kentucky to Georgia and the Carolinas. The unit was notable for its involvement in the defense against Confederate General Kirby Smith’s threatened invasion of Kentucky, as well as for its service in the Army of the Cumberland and later with Sherman’s forces during the Atlanta and Carolinas campaigns.
The regiment mustered out of service at Louisville, Kentucky, on June 24, 1865, after nearly three years of continuous field service. The 101st Indiana Infantry was engaged in numerous significant actions and sustained considerable losses during its term.
Organization & Service
The 101st Indiana Infantry was organized at Wabash, Indiana, in August 1862 and mustered in on September 7, 1862. The regiment immediately moved to Covington, Kentucky, to help defend against the anticipated Confederate invasion led by General Kirby Smith. On September 23, the regiment advanced to Louisville and joined the pursuit of Confederate forces under General Bragg, marching through Jefferson, Taylorsville, Bloomfield, and Perryville, and reaching Maxwell on October 7.
After escorting the 10th Division train to Springfield and Crab Orchard, the regiment moved to Lebanon and Munfordville, where it performed railroad guard duty until November 30. The unit then relocated to Glasgow, Kentucky, and Castalian Springs, Tennessee, and participated in the pursuit of Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan. In January 1863, the regiment moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 14th Army Corps. It took part in reconnaissance missions to Lebanon and Woodbury and, on March 18, joined an expedition to disperse guerrilla bands in Wilson County, Tennessee. At Milton, the regiment engaged Morgan’s command in a fierce battle, suffering 43 casualties.
In April 1863, the regiment moved to McMinnville, capturing prisoners and supplies, and then camped at Murfreesboro until June. Following the resignation of Colonel Garver on May 31, Lieutenant Colonel Doan assumed command. The regiment fought at Hoover’s Gap, spending two days on the skirmish line, and then marched through Manchester and Tullahoma to Decherd, Tennessee, where it remained until August 17. The regiment then moved toward Chattanooga and participated in the Battle of Chickamauga, where it suffered significant losses and helped cover the retreat of the 14th Corps.
The 101st Indiana Infantry was engaged in the storming of Missionary Ridge, losing 34 men, and joined the pursuit of Confederate forces to Ringgold, Georgia. After returning to Chattanooga, the regiment remained there until May 7, 1864, when it joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. It participated in actions at Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, and Jonesboro. In October, the regiment pursued Hood’s army as far as Gaylesville, Alabama, before returning to Atlanta and marching to Savannah in November.
In January 1865, the regiment began the Carolinas Campaign, reaching Goldsboro on March 23 and Raleigh on April 14. The unit marched to Washington, D.C., arriving on May 19, and then proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out on June 24, 1865. The original strength was 948 men, with a total enrollment of 1,072 after including recruits.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Defense of Covington, Kentucky (September 1862)
- Pursuit of Bragg through Kentucky (September–October 1862)
- Railroad guard duty at Munfordville (Fall 1862)
- Pursuit of Morgan’s cavalry (Winter 1862–1863)
- Expedition to Milton, Tennessee (March 1863)
- Hoover’s Gap (June 1863)
- Chickamauga (September 1863)
- Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
- Atlanta Campaign: Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesboro (May–September 1864)
- Pursuit of Hood to Gaylesville, Alabama (October 1864)
- March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
- Carolinas Campaign: Goldsboro, Raleigh (January–April 1865)
Casualties
- Original strength: 948
- Gained by recruits: 124
- Total enrollment: 1,072
- Loss by death: 201
- Deserted: 41
- Unaccounted for: 20
Casualty figures are based on regimental and state reports. At Chickamauga, the regiment lost 13 killed, 85 wounded, and 16 missing. At Milton, 43 were killed or wounded. At Missionary Ridge, 34 were killed or wounded.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William Garver
- Colonel Thomas Doan
- Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Doan
- Lieutenant Colonel George W. Steele
- Major Basil B. Bennett
- Major George W. Steele
- Major Peter Studebaker
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 101st Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and regimental records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 101st Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII, XLV
- 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