Overview
The 7th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Indianapolis, the regiment was mustered in for three years’ service on September 13, 1861, following the expiration of its earlier three months’ term. The unit participated in major campaigns and battles in the Eastern Theater, including significant actions with the Army of the Potomac.
This unit is distinct from the 7th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service).
Organization & Service
The 7th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was reorganized and mustered in at Indianapolis on September 13, 1861, immediately after the mustering out of the three months’ regiment. The regiment left Indiana at once for Western Virginia, joining General Reynolds’ command at Cheat Mountain. It was engaged at the battle of Greenbrier and subsequently moved to camp near Green Spring Run.
The regiment participated in the battle of Winchester Heights and saw action at Port Republic and Front Royal. It then moved to Fredericksburg and back, later being assigned to General McDowell’s command. During the summer of 1862, the 7th Indiana took part in the Army of Virginia’s campaign, fighting at Cedar Mountain and the Second Battle of Bull Run. The regiment joined the pursuit of Confederate forces into Maryland and fought at Antietam.
Following Antietam, the 7th Indiana was engaged at Ashby’s Gap and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863, the regiment fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, suffering significant losses in both battles. It also took part in the Mine Run Campaign in November 1863 and wintered at Culpeper.
In the spring of 1864, the regiment moved with the Army of the Potomac and was heavily engaged in the Overland Campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, Po River, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor. The regiment was under fire for eighteen consecutive days during these operations and incurred heavy casualties. On June 16, 1864, the 7th Indiana moved to the front at Petersburg and participated in the assault of June 17. The regiment remained on siege duty at Petersburg until August 18, after which it was engaged at the Weldon Railroad.
The 7th Indiana Infantry was consolidated with the 19th Indiana Infantry on September 23, 1864. The combined organization was later consolidated with the 20th Indiana Infantry on October 18, 1864. The 7th Indiana was mustered out as a regiment on September 20, 1864.
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
- Cheat Mountain (Western Virginia)
- Battle of Greenbrier
- Winchester Heights
- Port Republic
- Front Royal
- Cedar Mountain
- Second Battle of Bull Run
- Antietam
- Ashby’s Gap
- Fredericksburg
- Chancellorsville
- Gettysburg
- Mine Run
- The Wilderness
- Laurel Hill
- Spotsylvania
- Po River
- North Anna River
- Bethesda Church
- Cold Harbor
- Petersburg (assault of June 17, 1864; siege operations)
- Weldon Railroad
Casualties
The original strength of the regiment was 1,046. During its service, it gained 190 recruits, 46 reenlistments, and 17 unassigned recruits, totaling 1,299 men. The regiment lost 212 men by death, 26 by desertion, and 27 were unaccounted for. Specific breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in available sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Ebenezer Dumont
- Colonel James Gavin
- Colonel Ira G. Grover
- Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin J. Spooner
- Lieutenant Colonel James Gavin
- Lieutenant Colonel John F. Cheek
- Lieutenant Colonel Ira G. Grover
- Lieutenant Colonel William C. Banta
- Major Samuel P. Oyler
- Major John F. Cheek
- Major Benjamin C. Shaw
- Major Ira G. Grover
- Major William C. Banta
- Major Merit C. Welch
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 7th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment.
To view the full roster, visit the 7th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Army of Virginia, Western Virginia operations)
- 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, Volume 3