35th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 35th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the 1st Irish Regiment, 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 on December 11, 1861, and served primarily in the Western Theater. The unit was notable for its Irish-American composition and participated in several major campaigns and battles throughout its service.

The regiment was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland, and ultimately the 4th Army Corps. It was mustered out of service on September 30, 1865, after serving in Texas at the close of the war.

Organization & Service

The 35th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Indianapolis and mustered into Federal service on December 11, 1861. The regiment left Indiana for Bardstown, Kentucky, on December 13, 1861. Six weeks later, it joined General Buell’s army at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee. At Nashville, the regiment was joined by the organized portion and unassigned recruits of the 61st Indiana (2nd Irish), which were consolidated into the 35th. Colonel Bernard F. Mullen, previously in charge of these recruits, became lieutenant-colonel and later colonel following the resignation of Colonel John C. Walker in August 1862.

The regiment moved to McMinnville, Tennessee, and then to Louisville, Kentucky, as part of Matthews’ Brigade, Van Cleve’s Division, Crittenden’s Corps. It participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces under Bragg, including the Battle of Perryville and several skirmishes. The 35th Indiana was stationed near Nashville until December 1862, when it engaged in a severe skirmish at Dobbins’ Ford near Lavergne. The regiment fought at the Battle of Stones River, suffering significant casualties, and remained near Murfreesboro until the campaign for Chattanooga began. It fought at Chickamauga with heavy losses and later encamped at Shell Mound, Tennessee, where it reenlisted as a veteran organization on December 16, 1863.

After returning from veteran furlough in February 1864, the regiment camped at Blue Springs, Tennessee, and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. The 35th participated in the Atlanta Campaign, including actions at Kennesaw Mountain, where it sustained further losses, and at Marietta, where it captured enemy rifle pits and prisoners. Due to reduced numbers, the regiment was assigned to train-guard duty until late August 1864. It fought at Jonesboro, entered Atlanta on September 9, and subsequently marched in pursuit of Hood’s forces into Tennessee. Reinforced by drafted men and substitutes, the regiment fought at Franklin and Nashville, and pursued Confederate forces to Duck River before being assigned to pontoon train duty. The 35th Indiana later moved to Huntsville and Knoxville, Tennessee, before returning to Nashville and being ordered to Texas, where it remained until mustering out on September 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Pursuit of Bragg (Kentucky Campaign, 1862)
• Battle of Perryville
• Skirmish at Dobbins’ Ford near Lavergne
• Battle of Stones River
• Battle of Chickamauga
• Atlanta Campaign (including Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, Jonesboro)
• Occupation of Atlanta
• Franklin–Nashville Campaign (Battles of Franklin and Nashville)
• Pursuit to Duck River
• Service in Texas (1865)

Casualties

The 35th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) had an original strength of 871 men. During its service, it gained 806 recruits and 192 reenlistments, for a total enrollment of 1,869. The regiment lost 244 men by death, 269 by desertion, and 51 were unaccounted for. At Stones River, the regiment lost 29 killed, 72 wounded, and 33 missing. At Kennesaw Mountain, it lost 11 killed (including Major Dufficy) and 54 wounded. Other detailed breakdowns are not consistently available in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John C. Walker
• Colonel Bernard F. Mullen
• Colonel Augustus G. Tassin
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Ryan
• Lieutenant Colonel John E. Balfe
• Lieutenant Colonel Bernard F. Mullen
• Lieutenant Colonel Augustus G. Tassin
• Lieutenant Colonel Hugh D. Gallagher
• Major John E. Balfe
• Major Henry N. Conklin
• Major John P. Dufficy
• Major Hugh D. Gallagher
• Major James Fitzwilliams
• Major Abraham Peters

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 35th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 35th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 16, 23, 30, 38, 45
• 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