41st Indiana Regiment / 2nd Indiana Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 41st Indiana Regiment, also known as the 2nd Indiana Cavalry, served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Indianapolis in September 1861, it was the first complete cavalry regiment raised in Indiana. The regiment was mustered into service on December 9, 1861, and served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements across Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.

This unit was known for its active field service, including participation in major operations such as the siege of Corinth, the pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment reenlisted as veterans in January 1864 and continued to serve until mustering out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 41st Indiana Regiment (2nd Indiana Cavalry) was organized at Indianapolis in September 1861 and mustered into Federal service on December 9, 1861. The regiment departed Indiana for Louisville, Kentucky, on December 16, 1861, and proceeded to Camp Wickliffe. It was attached to Buell’s Army of the Ohio and moved to the Tennessee River, arriving at the field of Shiloh after the battle had concluded.

Following Shiloh, the regiment engaged in a skirmish en route to Corinth and participated at Pea Ridge in April 1862. It took part in a reconnaissance in force, driving Confederate forces for three miles, and was actively engaged during the siege of Corinth. After the Confederate evacuation, the regiment advanced with Buell’s army into northern Alabama, seeing action at Tuscumbia.

In August 1862, the regiment fought at McMinnville and Gallatin, Tennessee. During the Confederate invasion of Kentucky in September, it moved north in pursuit of Bragg, engaging at Vinegar Hill and Perryville. A detachment under Major Hill recaptured a government train, inflicting casualties and capturing prisoners.

The regiment was stationed near Nashville during the winter of 1862–63, then moved to Kentucky before returning to Tennessee. It was engaged at Triune in June 1863 and performed railroad guard duty in the fall. In late 1863, the regiment moved into eastern Tennessee, fighting at Talbot’s Station in December. The men reenlisted as veterans at Mossy Creek on January 10, 1864.

Throughout the winter, the regiment conducted numerous scouts and skirmishes. In May 1864, it joined Sherman’s army for the Atlanta Campaign, fighting at Varnell’s Station, Acworth, Newnan, and near Atlanta. After the occupation of Atlanta, non-veterans were mustered out, and the remaining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of four companies under Major Hill on September 14, 1864.

This battalion served in Kentucky in late 1864 and was transferred to Eastport, Alabama, in January 1865. The regiment participated in the raid through Alabama, engaging at Scottsville and West Point, where it suffered significant losses. The 41st Indiana Regiment (2nd Indiana Cavalry) was mustered out of service on July 22, 1865.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Skirmish en route to Corinth (April 1862)
  • Pea Ridge (April 1862)
  • Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
  • Tuscumbia (1862)
  • McMinnville (August 1862)
  • Gallatin (August 1862)
  • Vinegar Hill (September 1862)
  • Perryville (October 1862)
  • Triune (June 1863)
  • Talbot’s Station (December 1863)
  • Varnell’s Station (May 1864)
  • Acworth (1864)
  • Newnan (1864)
  • Near Atlanta (1864)
  • Scottsville (1865)
  • West Point (1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 1,039. During its service, it gained 301 recruits and 5 reenlistments, for a total of 1,345 men. The regiment lost 131 men by death, 47 by desertion, and 273 were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel John A. Bridgland
  • Colonel Robert N. Hudson
  • Colonel Edward M. McCook
  • Colonel James W. Stewart
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Morris
  • Lieutenant Colonel Edward M. McCook
  • Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Stewart
  • Lieutenant Colonel Joseph B. Presdee
  • Major Edward M. McCook
  • Major Robert R. Stewart
  • Major Samuel Hill
  • Major Jehu C. Hannum
  • Major James Conner
  • Major Isaiah D. Walker
  • Major James W. Stewart
  • Major Joseph B. Presdee
  • Major David A. Briggs
  • Major John S. Edwards

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 41st Indiana Regiment (2nd Indiana Cavalry), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 41st Indiana Regiment (2nd Indiana Cavalry) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 38, 39
  • 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
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