Overview
The 22nd Indiana Light Battery was an artillery unit organized for Union service during the American Civil War. Raised at Indianapolis, Indiana, in October 1862, the battery served in the Western Theater, participating in campaigns across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The unit was mustered into service on December 15, 1862, and remained active until July 7, 1865. The battery is noted for its participation in major campaigns with the 23rd Army Corps and for its claim of firing the first shell into Atlanta.
Organization & Service
The 22nd Indiana Light Battery was organized at Indianapolis in October 1862 and officially mustered into Federal service on December 15, 1862. Under the initial command of Captain Benjamin F. Denning, the battery departed Indiana in March 1863 for Kentucky. Throughout 1863, it was stationed at Louisville, Bowling Green, and Russellville, and participated in the pursuit of Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan during July and August.
Later in 1863, the battery was ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee, to join General Burnside’s forces. However, upon reaching Point Burnside, Kentucky, the emergency at Knoxville had subsided, and the battery was assigned to General Fry’s command, remaining there until May 12, 1864. At that time, the unit joined the 23rd Army Corps under General Schofield and participated in the Atlanta Campaign as part of Sherman’s army. From July 1, 1864, the battery was engaged in all major actions involving its corps up to the occupation of Atlanta, during which Captain Denning was mortally wounded on July 21. Lieutenant Edward W. Nicholson was subsequently promoted to captain.
Following the Atlanta Campaign, the battery marched with the 23rd Corps through Georgia and into Tennessee, taking part in the battles of Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville, as well as the pursuit of Hood’s army to Clifton. The unit then moved with its corps to Cincinnati and Washington, D.C., before embarking for the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The battery was ordered to Morehead City, marched to Kinston and Goldsboro, and participated in the pursuit of Johnston’s army, being present at Durham Station during Johnston’s surrender. The 22nd Indiana Light Battery remained in North Carolina until June 1865, when it returned to Indianapolis with 3 officers and 97 men and was mustered out on July 7, 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
- Duty at Louisville, Bowling Green, and Russellville, Kentucky (1863)
- Pursuit of Morgan’s cavalry (July–August 1863)
- Duty with General Fry’s command in Kentucky (late 1863–May 1864)
- Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including the occupation of Atlanta
- Battles of Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville (late 1864)
- Pursuit of Hood’s army to Clifton, Tennessee
- Operations in North Carolina, including Morehead City, Kinston, Goldsboro, and Durham Station (1865)
Casualties
The 22nd Indiana Light Battery lost 13 men killed, 22 discharged, and 37 deserted during its service. More detailed breakdowns by cause of death are not specified in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Benjamin F. Denning (mortally wounded July 21, 1864)
- Captain Edward W. Nicholson
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 22nd 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 22nd Indiana Light Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 3 (1908)