27th Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 27th 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 in August 1861, it was mustered into service on September 12, 1861. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Shenandoah, Army of Virginia, Army of the Potomac, and later the Army of the Cumberland.

The 27th Indiana Infantry was notable for its involvement in several significant battles, including Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment was recognized for its steadfastness under fire and sustained heavy losses in several engagements.

Organization & Service

The 27th Indiana Infantry was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in August 1861 and mustered in on September 12, 1861, under Colonel Silas Colgrove. The regiment departed Indiana for Washington, D.C., on September 15, 1861, and was assigned to Banks’ Army of the Shenandoah in October. During the winter of 1861–62, the regiment was stationed near Frederick City, Maryland.

In March 1862, the 27th Indiana joined the movement into the Shenandoah Valley, entering Winchester on March 9. After the Battle of Winchester (March 22–23, 1862), the regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces under Jackson. In May, it fought at Front Royal and Winchester, holding off a larger force for several hours before withdrawing with the rest of the army.

The regiment became part of Banks’ division in Pope’s Army of Virginia and fought at Cedar Mountain in August 1862. It then participated in the Maryland Campaign, engaging heavily at Antietam in September. Following Antietam, the regiment performed picket duty along the Potomac River and spent the winter near Fairfax Station, Virginia.

In May 1863, the 27th Indiana fought at Chancellorsville, suffering significant casualties. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the regiment marched with the XII Corps into Pennsylvania and took part in the Battle of Gettysburg, notably resisting Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863, and incurring heavy losses. After Gettysburg, the regiment joined the pursuit of the Confederate army to the Potomac River.

In September 1863, the regiment was transferred to the Western Theater with the XII Corps, stationed at Tullahoma, Tennessee, during the fall and winter. A portion of the regiment reenlisted on January 24, 1864. After returning from furlough, the regiment joined Sherman’s forces in Georgia, participating in the Atlanta Campaign. At the Battle of Resaca, the 27th Indiana captured the battle flag, colonel, and 100 prisoners from the 38th Alabama, though it suffered 68 casualties in the action.

The regiment continued to serve through the Atlanta Campaign, moving into the city after its conclusion. Non-veterans were mustered out on November 4, 1864. The veterans and remaining recruits were transferred to the 70th Indiana Infantry and served through the Savannah and Carolinas Campaigns. Upon the muster-out of the 70th, these men were transferred to the 33rd Indiana Infantry, serving until its muster-out at Louisville on July 21, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Shenandoah Valley Operations (1862)
• Battle of Winchester (March 22–23, 1862)
• Battle of Front Royal (May 1862)
• Battle of Cedar Mountain (August 1862)
• Maryland Campaign (September 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• Battle of Resaca (May 14–15, 1864)
• March to the Sea and Carolinas Campaign (for veterans transferred to 70th and 33rd Indiana)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 1,052. Gains by recruits numbered 116, and reenlistments totaled 154, for a total enrollment of 1,322. Losses by death were 275. There were 47 desertions and 52 unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Silas Colgrove
• Lieutenant Colonel Archibald T. Harrison
• Lieutenant Colonel Abisha L. Morrison
• Lieutenant Colonel John R. Fesler
• Major John Mehringer
• Major William S. Johnson
• Major George W. Burge
• Major Theodore F. Colgrove

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 27th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 27th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XII, XIX, XXVII, XXXVIII
• 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