25th Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 25th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Evansville, Indiana, in July 1861 for Federal service during the American Civil War. Mustered in on August 19, 1861, the regiment served in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns and battles from Missouri to the Carolinas. The 25th Indiana was notable for its early and sustained service, reenlistment as a veteran regiment, and participation in key actions such as Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the Atlanta Campaign, and the Carolinas Campaign.

The regiment remained in service until July 17, 1865, when it was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. Over its term, the 25th Indiana Infantry saw extensive combat and performed provost and guard duties in several states.

Organization & Service

The 25th Indiana Infantry was organized at Evansville, Indiana, in July 1861 and mustered into Federal service on August 19, 1861. The regiment left Indiana on August 26, moving first to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to Jefferson City and Georgetown. It marched with Fremont’s forces to Springfield and back to Otterville, covering 240 miles in 16 days. The regiment remained near Otterville until December 1861, then moved with Pope’s division south of Warrensburg and participated in the capture of 1,300 Confederate prisoners at Blackwater. The 25th Indiana guarded these prisoners to St. Louis and was stationed at Benton Barracks until February 2, 1862.

In February 1862, the regiment joined the expedition against Fort Donelson, participating in the initial assault and the storming of the outer works. After the fort’s surrender, the regiment moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, arriving on March 18, and fought in the Battle of Shiloh, suffering significant casualties. Following Shiloh, Col. James C. Veatch was promoted to brigadier-general, and Lt. Col. William H. Morgan assumed command as colonel.

The 25th Indiana took part in the siege of Corinth and occupied Grand Junction on June 10, 1862. It moved to Memphis in July, performing scouting and anti-guerrilla operations until September. The regiment then occupied Bolivar, Tennessee, and fought at the Hatchie River on October 5, 1862. Later, six companies under Col. Morgan defended Davis’ Mill on Wolf River against Van Dorn’s forces, while the remaining companies guarded the railroad between Grand Junction and Holly Springs.

From January 1863, the regiment was on provost duty in Memphis until November, then guarded the railroad between Grand Junction and Moscow until January 28, 1864. It joined Sherman’s Meridian Campaign in early 1864 and reenlisted as a veteran regiment at Canton, Mississippi, on February 19, 1864. After furlough, the regiment moved to Decatur, Alabama, engaging in skirmishes with Confederate cavalry before joining the 4th Division, 16th Corps, in the Atlanta Campaign. The 25th Indiana participated in the siege of Atlanta, the engagement at Jonesboro, the pursuit of Hood’s army, and the March to the Sea, including the investment of Savannah.

In 1865, the regiment moved with the 11th Corps to Beaufort, South Carolina, and advanced through the Carolinas, fighting at Rivers’ Bridge, Binnaker’s Bridge, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. After reaching Goldsboro and Raleigh, the regiment marched to Washington, D.C., arriving on May 17, 1865. The 25th Indiana was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, and mustered out on July 17, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Fremont’s Missouri Campaign (1861)
• Blackwater, Missouri (December 1861)
• Expedition and Battle of Fort Donelson (February 1862)
• Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Grand Junction and Memphis operations (June–September 1862)
• Battle of Hatchie River (October 1862)
• Defense of Davis’ Mill (December 1862)
• Provost and railroad guard duty (1863–early 1864)
• Meridian Campaign (February 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (August–September 1864)
• Engagement at Jonesboro (September 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army (late 1864)
• March to the Sea and investment of Savannah (late 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign: Rivers’ Bridge, Binnaker’s Bridge, Fayetteville, Bentonville (1865)

Casualties

The 25th Indiana Infantry’s original strength was 1,052. Gains by recruits totaled 681, with 282 reenlistments, for a total enrollment of 2,015. The regiment lost 307 men by death, 56 by desertion, and 235 were unaccounted for. Specific breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James C. Veatch
• Colonel William H. Morgan
• Colonel James S. Wright
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Morgan
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Foster
• Lieutenant Colonel John Rheinlander
• Lieutenant Colonel James S. Wright
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Crenshaw
• Major John W. Foster
• Major John Rheinlander
• Major John T. Walker
• Major Victor C. Larkin
• Major James S. Wright
• Major William H. Crenshaw
• Major James T. Reed

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 25th Indiana Infantry is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details for genealogical and historical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 25th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 7, 10, 17, 24, 38, 47
• 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