Overview
The 23rd Indiana Light Battery was an artillery unit organized in Indiana for Union service during the American Civil War. Mustered in on November 8, 1862, the battery served primarily in the Western Theater. Its early duties included guarding prisoners and responding to internal disturbances in Indiana, before participating in major campaigns across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. The battery remained in service until July 2, 1865.
Organization & Service
The 23rd Indiana Light Battery was organized in the fall of 1862 and officially mustered into service on November 8, 1862, at Indianapolis, Indiana, under the command of Captain James H. Myers. Initially, the battery was stationed in Indianapolis, where it was primarily tasked with guarding prisoners. In June 1863, a section of the battery accompanied the 71st Indiana Infantry on an expedition into Monroe, Sullivan, and Greene counties to address disturbances related to the enrollment of government officers.
On July 4, 1863, the battery received orders to move to Kentucky in response to Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s raid. The unit accompanied Union forces to Louisville and participated in the pursuit and eventual capture of Morgan’s raiding party. After returning to Indianapolis, the battery moved with six months’ regiments in September 1863 to Camp Nelson, Kentucky, and was assigned to Willcox’s Division. The battery then advanced to Cumberland Gap and Knoxville, Tennessee, participating in the campaign in eastern Tennessee, including operations from Morristown to Greeneville and from Bull’s Gap to Cumberland Gap.
The 23rd Indiana Light Battery was subsequently assigned to the 23rd Army Corps and took part in the Atlanta Campaign. Following the occupation of Atlanta, the battery moved through Georgia and Tennessee, engaging at Columbia and Franklin in November 1864, and joined Union forces at Nashville in time for the battle there in December. The battery participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces as far as Clifton, Tennessee, before being transported to Cincinnati and then to Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia. From there, it sailed for Wilmington, North Carolina, and marched to Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Greensboro, participating in the final operations of Schofield’s forces in North Carolina. After the surrender of Johnston’s army, the battery returned to Indianapolis, arriving on June 27, 1865, and was mustered out on July 2, 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
- Expedition into Monroe, Sullivan, and Greene counties, Indiana (June 1863)
- Pursuit and capture of Morgan’s raiders (July 1863)
- Eastern Tennessee Campaign (including Morristown, Greeneville, Bull’s Gap, Cumberland Gap)
- Atlanta Campaign
- Columbia, Tennessee (November 1864)
- Battle of Franklin, Tennessee (November 1864)
- Battle of Nashville, Tennessee (December 1864)
- Pursuit to Clifton, Tennessee
- Operations in North Carolina (Wilmington, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Greensboro)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 23rd Indiana Light Battery are not detailed in available primary sources. The battery returned to Indianapolis with 3 officers and 123 men at the close of its service.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain James H. Myers
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 23rd Indiana Light Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served throughout its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. For a complete listing of names and service details, please visit the regiment’s roster page.
View the 23rd Indiana Light Battery Roster
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (see operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina)
- Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- The Union Army, Vol. 3, Federal Publishing Company, 1908