12th Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 12th Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Indianapolis and served under two distinct service terms: one year (May 1861 – May 1862) and three years (August 1862 – June 1865). This summary covers the three years’ service term, which began in August 1862. The regiment participated in major campaigns in the Western and Southern theaters and was attached to various brigades and corps throughout its service.

This unit is distinct from the 12th Indiana Infantry (One Year’s Service).

Organization & Service

The 12th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was reorganized at Indianapolis and mustered in on August 17, 1862, following the expiration of its one-year term. The regiment left Indiana within days to respond to the Confederate invasion threat posed by Kirby Smith. It participated in the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, where it suffered heavy casualties and most of its men were taken prisoner. Colonel William H. Link was mortally wounded during this engagement. The captured men were paroled and later exchanged in November 1862.

After exchange, the regiment moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi, and marched to the Tallahatchie River in December 1862. In January 1863, it was stationed at Grand Junction, Tennessee, and later assigned to Collierville, Tennessee. In the spring of 1863, the regiment became part of Logan’s (15th) Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and moved to Vicksburg in June, remaining in the trenches until the city’s surrender. The regiment then moved to the Big Black River, stayed there until late September, and subsequently went to Memphis, Tennessee, to participate in the march to Chattanooga.

The 12th Indiana Infantry fought at Missionary Ridge, suffering significant losses, and joined the pursuit of Confederate forces to Graysville, Georgia. It was then ordered to assist in the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville, Tennessee. The regiment camped at Scottsboro, Alabama, from December 1863 to May 1864. During the Atlanta Campaign, it was engaged at Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, and Jonesboro, losing 240 men in killed and wounded between Dalton and Atlanta. The regiment participated in the pursuit of Hood’s army through Georgia and Alabama, then marched to Savannah, Georgia, in November 1864.

After the surrender of Savannah, the regiment joined the Carolinas Campaign, engaging at Columbia and Bentonville. It then marched through Raleigh and Richmond to Washington, D.C., where it was mustered out on June 8, 1865. Remaining recruits and drafted men were transferred to the 48th and 59th Indiana regiments.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Richmond, Kentucky (August 1862)
• Holly Springs and Tallahatchie River operations (late 1862)
• Grand Junction and Collierville, Tennessee (early 1863)
• Vicksburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Big Black River (post-Vicksburg, 1863)
• March to Chattanooga and Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Pursuit to Graysville, Georgia
• Relief of Knoxville, Tennessee (late 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign: Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesboro (May–September 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood through Georgia and Alabama (late 1864)
• March to Savannah, Georgia (November–December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign: Columbia, Bentonville (early 1865)
• March to Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. (spring 1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 948, with an additional 384 recruits, totaling 1,332 men. The regiment lost 293 men by death during its three years’ service. There were 8 desertions and 13 men unaccounted for. At the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the regiment lost 173 in killed and wounded; at Missionary Ridge, 110 in killed and wounded; and between Dalton and Atlanta during the Atlanta Campaign, 240 in killed and wounded. Reported figures are based on regimental and state records.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William H. Link (mortally wounded at Richmond, Ky.)
• Colonel Reuben Williams
• Lieutenant Colonel Solomon D. Kempton
• Lieutenant Colonel James Goodnow
• Lieutenant Colonel Elbert D. Baldwin
• Lieutenant Colonel George M. Trotter
• Major George Humphreys
• Major Samuel Boughter
• Major Henry Hubler

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 12th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and company assignments as recorded in official state and regimental records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 12th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• 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