26th Indiana Light Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 26th Indiana Light Battery served as a Union artillery unit from Indiana during the American Civil War. Initially recruited in May 1861, the battery was organized as a company of light artillery but was not immediately accepted as such. It subsequently joined the 17th Indiana Infantry as Company A before being detached and designated as an independent battery. The unit was commonly referred to as “Rigby’s Battery” or the “Wilder Battery” in honor of its early commanders. The battery served in the Western Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina theaters, participating in several notable campaigns and engagements.

Organization & Service

The 26th Indiana Light Battery was recruited in May 1861 by Captain John T. Wilder. Initially organized as a light artillery company, it was not accepted in that role and instead became Company A of the 17th Indiana Infantry. Captain Wilder was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 17th Indiana, and Silas F. Rigby, originally first lieutenant, became captain of the company. The unit left Indiana on July 2, 1861, with the 17th Indiana Infantry, equipped with two wrought-iron 6-pounder guns provided by Decatur County citizens.

Upon reaching Elk Water, West Virginia, the company was detached and organized as an independent artillery battery, officially designated as the 1st Independent Battery but commonly known as “Rigby’s Battery.” The battery participated in Reynolds’ operations at Cheat Mountain and Milroy’s expedition to Camp Alleghany in December 1861. In April 1862, it moved with Milroy’s forces over the mountains and fought at McDowell in May, retreating to Franklin. The battery joined General Fremont’s pursuit of Stonewall Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley, engaging at Cross Keys and other points.

After serving on garrison and picket duty at Winchester, the battery was compelled to surrender at Harper’s Ferry in September 1862. The officers and men were paroled and sent to Camp Douglas in Chicago, then to Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois. Upon exchange, the battery reorganized in Indianapolis under Captain Hubbard T. Thomas, formerly of the 3rd Indiana Battery. The unit, also known as the “Wilder Battery,” moved to Cincinnati and Covington under Lieutenant McLaughlin.

On March 18, 1863, the battery joined General Gillmore’s command at Lexington, Kentucky, and was engaged at Danville, Dutton’s Hill, and other locations. Captain Thomas joined the battery at Somerset on May 9. In August, the battery moved into eastern Tennessee with Burnside’s forces, participating in actions at Carter’s Station and the Watauga River. The battery played a prominent role in the defense of Knoxville, claiming to have fired the first gun of the engagement, and participated in the pursuit of Longstreet’s forces after the siege.

In January 1864, 103 men reenlisted at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, and were granted furlough. Approximately 55 were remustered as veterans. The battery returned to Tennessee in March 1864 and was attached to Hovey’s division at Charleston, but due to equipment delays, did not participate in the Atlanta campaign. Instead, it was sent to Knoxville and attached to the reserve artillery under General Tillson. On June 12, non-veterans were mustered out at Indianapolis. The battery remained on garrison duty at Knoxville, constructing fortifications until March 1865, when it was equipped as a 4-gun battery and joined General Stoneman’s movement into North Carolina. After the campaign, the battery camped at Greeneville, Tennessee, until ordered home. It arrived in Indianapolis on July 11, 1865, and was mustered out on July 19, 1865, with 5 officers and 105 men.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Reynolds’ operations at Cheat Mountain (1861)
• Milroy’s expedition to Camp Alleghany (December 1861)
• Engagement at McDowell (May 1862)
• Pursuit of Stonewall Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley (including Cross Keys, June 1862)
• Garrison and picket duty at Winchester
• Surrender at Harper’s Ferry (September 1862)
• Engagements at Danville and Dutton’s Hill, Kentucky (1863)
• Affairs at Carter’s Station and Watauga River, Tennessee (1863)
• Defense of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
• Pursuit of Longstreet’s forces (late 1863)
• Stoneman’s campaign into North Carolina (Spring 1865)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 26th Indiana Light Battery are not fully detailed in available primary sources. The battery mustered out with 5 officers and 105 men in July 1865.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain Silas F. Rigby
• Captain Hubbard F. Thomas
• Captain John T. Wilder (initial organizer; promoted to lieutenant-colonel, 17th Indiana Infantry)
• Lieutenant McLaughlin (commanded during movement to Cincinnati and Covington)

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 26th Indiana Light Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served throughout its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 26th Indiana Light Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see index for Indiana artillery units)
• 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)