Overview
The 6th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in April 1861 for Union service during the opening months of the American Civil War. Mustered in on April 25, 1861, the regiment served in the Western Virginia theater and was among the earliest Indiana units to enter federal service. The regiment was attached to the Union Army under General T. A. Morris and participated in some of the first engagements of the war.
Organization & Service
The 6th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service) was organized at Indianapolis in April 1861, with Colonel Thomas T. Crittenden commanding. The regiment was mustered into United States service on April 25, 1861. After initial organization and training, the regiment departed Indiana on May 30, 1861, for Western Virginia.
Upon arrival in Western Virginia, the 6th Indiana was attached to General Thomas A. Morris’ brigade. The regiment reached Philippi on June 2, 1861, and participated in the Battle of Philippi on June 3, recognized as one of the earliest land engagements of the Civil War. The regiment also took part in the engagement at Carrick’s Ford during the campaign. Following the conclusion of its three months’ term, the 6th Indiana Infantry was mustered out at Indianapolis on August 2, 1861.
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
- Battle of Philippi (June 3, 1861)
- Engagement at Carrick’s Ford (July 13, 1861)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 6th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service) are not detailed in primary sources. Available records indicate the regiment sustained minimal losses during its brief term of service.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Thomas T. Crittenden
- Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Prather
- Major John Gerber
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 6th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.
To view the complete roster, visit the 6th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 2
- 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)