Overview
The 11th Indiana Cavalry (126th Indiana Regiment) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in the fall and winter of 1863–64, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on March 1, 1864. It was the 126th regiment raised by the state of Indiana and operated primarily in the Western Theater, serving in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kansas.
The 11th Indiana Cavalry was notable for its service in railroad guard duty, participation in the defense of Nashville, and subsequent operations in the pursuit of Confederate forces. The regiment was mustered out of service on September 19, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Organization & Service
The 11th Indiana Cavalry (126th Indiana Regiment) was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, during the fall and winter of 1863–64. The regiment was mustered into service on March 1, 1864, under the command of Colonel Robert R. Stewart. After organization, the regiment departed Indiana on May 1, 1864, for Nashville, Tennessee, where it remained until June 1.
In June 1864, the regiment marched into Alabama and was assigned to railroad guard duty, with headquarters at Larkinsville. This duty continued until October 16, when the regiment returned to Nashville and was mounted for active operations. During November and December 1864, the 11th Indiana Cavalry participated in the defense of Nashville and subsequent operations in the area. Following the Battle of Nashville, the regiment joined in the pursuit of General Hood’s Confederate forces as far as Gravelly Springs, Alabama.
From January 7 to February 7, 1865, the regiment performed dismounted duty at Gravelly Springs. It then crossed to Eastport, Mississippi. On May 12, the regiment embarked for St. Louis, Missouri, where it was remounted and marched to Rolla, Missouri, arriving there on June 26. From Rolla, the regiment moved to Fort Riley and Council Grove, Kansas, and was stationed in detachments along the Santa Fe route. The 11th Indiana Cavalry was ordered to Fort Leavenworth on September 1 and was mustered out of service on September 19, 1865.
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
- Railroad guard duty in Alabama (June–October 1864)
- Operations around Nashville, Tennessee (November–December 1864)
- Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)
- Pursuit of Hood’s forces to Gravelly Springs, Alabama (December 1864–January 1865)
- Duty at Gravelly Springs, Alabama, and Eastport, Mississippi (January–May 1865)
- March to Rolla, Missouri, and duty along the Santa Fe route in Kansas (June–September 1865)
Casualties
- Original strength: 1,246
- Gained by recruits: 63
- Total enrollment: 1,309
- Loss by death: 170
- Desertion: 108
- Unaccounted for: 8
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Robert R. Stewart
- Colonel Abram Sharra
- Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert M. L. Johnson
- Lieutenant Colonel Abram Sharra
- Lieutenant Colonel Meredith H. Kidd
- Major Jehu C. Hannum
- Major Meredith H. Kidd
- Major Hugh A. Stephens
- Major Edgar A. Henderson
- Major Elias Showalter
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 11th Indiana Cavalry (126th Indiana Regiment) includes officers and enlisted men who served during its term of service. For researchers and genealogists, the complete roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details.
To view the full roster, visit the 11th Indiana Cavalry (126th Indiana Regiment) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports on operations in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, 1864–1865)
- 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, Vol. 3