128th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 128th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Michigan City, Indiana, during the winter of 1863 and mustered into Federal service on March 18, 1864. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment was primarily active in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The unit is noted for its involvement in the Atlanta Campaign, the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and the Carolinas Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 128th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Michigan City and mustered in on March 18, 1864. Upon leaving Indiana, the regiment proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Hovey’s Division. On April 6, 1864, the regiment moved to Charleston, Tennessee, arriving on April 21. At this time, its division was designated as the 1st Division and assigned to the XXIII Corps under Major General John M. Schofield.

The regiment participated in the Atlanta Campaign beginning in May 1864, engaging at Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, and before Atlanta on July 22. The 1st Brigade was transferred to the 3rd Division in June. After Colonel Richard P. De Hart was wounded on June 6, Lieutenant Colonel Jasper Packard assumed command. On August 9, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the same division. Following the fall of Atlanta, the regiment camped at Decatur until October 4, then joined the pursuit of Confederate General Hood’s forces as far as Gaylesville, Alabama. It subsequently moved to Chattanooga to reinforce General Thomas, then to Nashville and Columbia, Tennessee, engaging in a six-day skirmish beginning November 24.

On November 29, the regiment marched overnight to Franklin, Tennessee, arriving on November 30 and participating in the battle there. It then fell back to Nashville, taking part in the defense and the Battle of Nashville on December 15–16, 1864. The regiment joined the pursuit of Hood’s army as far as Columbia, remaining there until January 5, 1865. It then moved to Clifton, Tennessee, and sailed for Cincinnati, Ohio, before proceeding to New Berne, North Carolina, via Washington and Morehead City. In March 1865, the regiment advanced toward Kinston, fighting at Wise’s Forks with significant losses. The unit reached Goldsboro on March 21 and moved to Lenoir Institute on March 25, serving on railroad guard duty until April 9, when it returned to Goldsboro. The 128th Indiana Infantry was mustered out of service on April 10, 1866.

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

  • Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta (July 22), Jonesboro (September 1)
  • Pursuit of Hood into Alabama (October 1864)
  • Franklin–Nashville Campaign: Columbia (November 24–29, 1864), Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864), Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)
  • Pursuit of Hood to Columbia (December 1864–January 1865)
  • Carolinas Campaign: Wise’s Forks (March 1865), Goldsboro, Lenoir Institute (March–April 1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 959 men, with an additional 254 recruits, totaling 1,213. Losses by death numbered 139. There were 64 desertions and 16 unaccounted for. More detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and disease-related deaths are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Richard P. De Hart (wounded June 6, 1864)
  • Colonel Jasper Packard (assumed command June 6, 1864; commissioned colonel April 29, 1865; brevetted brigadier-general)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Richard K. Miller
  • Major Joshua Healey
  • Major Richard K. Miller
  • Major John M. Pierce

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 128th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 128th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, XLV, XLVII
  • 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, Vol. 3 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)
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