Overview
The 8th 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 10, 1861. The unit participated in major campaigns across the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters, including actions in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, and Georgia. The regiment is noted for its high rate of reenlistment and its participation in key battles such as Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, and Cedar Creek.
This unit is distinct from the 8th Indiana Infantry (Three Months’ Service).
Organization & Service
The 8th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was reorganized and mustered in at Indianapolis on September 10, 1861, immediately following the mustering out of the three months’ regiment. The regiment departed Indiana the same day, joining Fremont’s Army at St. Louis, Missouri. It was assigned to Col. Jefferson C. Davis’ brigade and moved to Jefferson City, then Springfield, and Otterville. On December 17, 1861, the regiment marched to Warrensburg, Missouri, assisting in the capture of 1,300 Confederate soldiers.
After wintering at Otterville, the regiment moved to Springfield in January 1862, joining General Curtis’ command, and advanced to Cross Timbers, Arkansas. The 8th Indiana fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and remained in camp until April, then moved to Sulphur Rock, Arkansas. In June, the regiment marched to Helena, Arkansas, engaging in skirmishes at the White River and at Cotton Plant on July 7, before reaching Helena on July 13. The unit saw further action at Austin in August and was sent to Sulphur Hill near St. Louis in October, participating in various operations during the fall and winter of 1862.
On March 5, 1863, the regiment was ordered to join Grant’s forces at Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana, and was assigned to Benton’s Brigade, Carr’s Division, 13th Corps. The 8th Indiana took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion’s Hill, Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg, suffering significant casualties in the assault of June 22, 1863. After the fall of Vicksburg, the regiment moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and then to Vicksburg, remaining there until August 20, 1863.
The regiment then moved to Carrollton, Louisiana, and participated in General Banks’ campaign through the Teche country. It was involved in the capture of the fort on Mustang Island, Texas, and later moved to Indianola, Texas. Out of 515 men, 417 reenlisted as veterans and were furloughed home in April 1864. Upon returning to New Orleans, the regiment embarked for Morganza Bend on July 27 and engaged at the Atchafalaya the following day.
In August 1864, the 8th Indiana was ordered to Washington, D.C., arriving on August 12. It marched to Berryville, Virginia, and was assigned to the 19th Corps, participating in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The regiment fought at the Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. It left Virginia on January 6, 1865, for Savannah, Georgia, where it performed duty until mustered out on August 28, 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
- Capture of Warrensburg, Missouri (December 1861)
- Battle of Pea Ridge (March 1862)
- Skirmishes at White River and Cotton Plant, Arkansas (June–July 1862)
- Operations at Helena and Austin, Arkansas (July–August 1862)
- Operations near St. Louis, Missouri (October 1862–Winter 1863)
- Port Gibson, Mississippi (May 1863)
- Jackson, Mississippi (May 1863)
- Champion’s Hill (May 1863)
- Black River Bridge (May 1863)
- Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
- Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
- Campaign through the Teche country, Louisiana (Fall 1863)
- Capture of Mustang Island, Texas (November 1863)
- Engagement at Atchafalaya, Louisiana (July 1864)
- Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Virginia (September–October 1864): Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek
- Duty in Georgia (January–August 1865)
Casualties
- Original strength: 1,046
- Gained by recruits: 190
- Reenlistments: 46
- Unassigned recruits: 17
- Total served: 1,299
- Lost by death: 245
- Deserted: 75
- Unaccounted for: 47
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William P. Benton
- Colonel David Shunk
- Colonel John R. Polk
- Lieutenant Colonel Silas Colgrove
- Lieutenant Colonel David Shunk
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Parrish
- Lieutenant Colonel Alexander J. Kenny
- Lieutenant Colonel John R. Polk
- Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Thompson
- Major David Shunk
- Major Charles S. Parrish
- Major Thomas J. Brady
- Major Alexander J. Kenny
- Major John R. Polk
- Major Joseph M. Thompson
- Major Jacob Widaman
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 8th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, 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 8th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 8, 13, 17, 24, 34, 39, 41
- 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, Vol. 3