24th Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 24th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Vincennes, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on July 31, 1861. The unit served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns and engagements across Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. The regiment is noted for its involvement in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Fort Blakely, among others.

This regiment was part of the Union’s efforts in the Mississippi Valley and Gulf regions, and it reenlisted as a veteran organization in 1864, serving until November 1865.

Organization & Service

The 24th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Vincennes and mustered in on July 31, 1861. The regiment left Indiana on August 19, 1861, and joined Fremont’s army at St. Louis, Missouri, before moving into the interior of Missouri for initial operations. In February 1862, the regiment was ordered to Fort Donelson but arrived at Paducah, Kentucky, the day after the fort’s surrender. It then moved to Fort Henry and subsequently joined Grant’s army at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.

The regiment was heavily engaged at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, where Lieutenant Colonel John Gerber was killed. Following Shiloh, Colonel Alvin P. Hovey was promoted to brigadier general, and Major William T. Spicely was commissioned as colonel. The 24th Indiana participated in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and then moved to Memphis, Tennessee. It was later transferred to Helena, Arkansas, where it remained until the spring of 1863, conducting expeditions and engaging in skirmishes throughout Arkansas.

In 1863, the regiment joined Hovey’s division of the XIII Corps for the Vicksburg Campaign, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg. After the fall of Vicksburg, the regiment was stationed near New Orleans until January 1864. The unit reenlisted as a veteran organization in January 1864 and returned to Indiana on furlough. During 1864, the regiment served at various points in Louisiana. In December 1864, the 67th Indiana Infantry was consolidated with the 24th while at Morganza, Louisiana.

In January 1865, the regiment was transferred to Barrancas, Florida, and participated in the campaign against Mobile, Alabama, including the investment of Mobile and the assault on Fort Blakely, where the regiment was among the first to place its colors on the enemy works. The 24th Indiana then moved to Selma, Alabama, and subsequently to Galveston, Texas. On July 16, 1865, the regiment was reorganized as a battalion of five companies, with the remaining men mustered out on July 19, 1865. The battalion remained at Galveston until its final muster out on November 15, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Operations in Missouri (1861–1862)
• Fort Henry (February 1862)
• Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Expeditions and skirmishes in Arkansas (1862–1863)
• Port Gibson (May 1, 1863)
• Champion’s Hill (May 16, 1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (May 19–July 4, 1863)
• Operations in Louisiana (1863–1864)
• Investment of Mobile (March–April 1865)
• Battle of Fort Blakely (April 9, 1865)
• Occupation of Selma, Alabama, and Galveston, Texas (1865)

Casualties

The 24th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) had an original strength of 1,053 men, with 377 recruits and 343 reenlistments, totaling 1,773 men. The regiment lost 251 men by death, 61 by desertion, and 161 were unaccounted for. Specific breakdowns of killed, wounded, or died of disease are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Alvin P. Hovey
• Colonel William T. Spicely
• Lieutenant Colonel John Gerber
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard F. Barter
• Lieutenant Colonel John F. Grill
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis A. Sears
• Lieutenant Colonel William S. Pollard
• Major Cyrus C. Hines
• Major William T. Spicely
• Major Richard F. Barter
• Major John F. Grill
• Major Francis M. Redburn
• Major David Kelly

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 24th 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 for those who served in the unit.

To view the full roster, visit the 24th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 7, 10, 17, 24, 34, 41, 49 (various reports and correspondence)
• 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”
• Federal Publishing Company, “The Union Army,” Vol. 3 (1908)