Overview
The 1st Indiana Light Battery served as an artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Evansville, Indiana, it was mustered into service on August 16, 1861. The battery participated in numerous campaigns across the Western Theater, including significant actions in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Its service was marked by involvement in several major battles and extended campaigns, reflecting the mobility and versatility of light artillery units during the war.
The battery remained active throughout the conflict, serving in multiple army corps and participating in both field operations and sieges. It was mustered out of service on August 22, 1865, after nearly four years of continuous duty.
Organization & Service
The 1st Indiana Light Battery was organized at Evansville, Indiana, and mustered into United States service on August 16, 1861, under the command of Captain Martin Klauss. Its initial deployment was in Missouri, where it served under General Fremont and assisted in the capture of approximately 950 prisoners at Blackwater Creek in December 1861.
In January 1862, the battery became part of General Jeff C. Davis’ division and advanced toward Springfield, Missouri, engaging Confederate forces under General Price and pursuing them into Arkansas. The battery participated in operations against General Van Dorn and was actively engaged at the battles of Leetown, Elkhorn Tavern, and Pea Ridge. After encamping at Cross Timbers, the unit moved toward Forsyth and crossed the Ozark Mountains to Sulphur Rock, Arkansas, remaining there until late June 1862. It then marched to Helena, Arkansas, arriving on July 13.
In October 1862, the battery was ordered to Ironton, Missouri, and subsequently marched through southeastern Missouri to Milliken’s Bend in March 1863, where it was assigned to the 13th Army Corps. The battery was engaged at Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, and the Big Black River, and then took position in front of Vicksburg, participating in the siege until the city’s surrender. Following the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, the battery returned to Vicksburg and went into camp.
In August 1863, the battery moved to New Orleans and later joined General Franklin’s expedition into the Teche country in the fall. In March 1864, it accompanied General Banks’ Red River Expedition, taking part in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads and Yellow Bayou. During the retreat to Grand Ecore, the battery was assigned to the 16th Army Corps and was engaged daily in repelling enemy attacks until reaching Morganza, after which it rejoined its old corps and returned to New Orleans.
After Captain Klauss resigned, First Lieutenant Lawrence Jacoby of the 1st Missouri Artillery was promoted to captain. Many men reenlisted as veterans at New Orleans, while non-veterans returned home and were mustered out at Indianapolis in the fall of 1864. The battery participated in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort near Mobile in the spring of 1865, then moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where it remained until ordered home for final muster out on August 22, 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
- Blackwater Creek (December 1861)
- Pursuit to Cross Hollow, Arkansas (January–February 1862)
- Leetown
- Elkhorn Tavern
- Pea Ridge
- Operations at Cross Timbers and Sulphur Rock
- March to Helena, Arkansas (July 1862)
- Port Gibson
- Champion’s Hill
- Big Black River
- Siege of Vicksburg
- Siege of Jackson
- Franklin’s Teche Expedition
- Red River Campaign
- Sabine Cross Roads
- Yellow Bayou
- Siege and capture of Spanish Fort
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 1st Indiana Light Battery are not detailed in the primary sources consulted. The unit was engaged in numerous battles and campaigns, but comprehensive loss statistics are not available.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Martin Klauss
- Captain Lawrence Jacoby
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 1st Indiana Light Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, 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 1st Indiana Light Battery Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 8, 13, 17, 24, 26, 34, 41
- 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