Overview
The 42nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Evansville, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on October 9, 1861. The 42nd Indiana served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns and battles with the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland and Sherman’s forces. The regiment is noted for its high level of engagement and significant casualties throughout its service.
Organization & Service
The 42nd Indiana Infantry was organized at Evansville and mustered in on October 9, 1861. Shortly after organization, the regiment moved to Kentucky, with postings at Henderson, Calhoun, and Owensboro. It then proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving on February 25, 1862. The regiment advanced into Alabama, reaching Huntsville, before returning to Nashville. Assigned to Rousseau’s division of Buell’s Army of the Ohio, the 42nd Indiana participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces under Bragg through Kentucky, fighting at Perryville with heavy losses.
Following Perryville, the regiment fought at the battle of Stone’s River, suffering further casualties. It remained in camp at Murfreesboro until June 24, 1863, then marched with the 1st Brigade, Negley’s Division, toward Chattanooga. The regiment was engaged at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, again incurring significant losses. On January 1, 1864, the regiment reenlisted at Chattanooga and received a furlough in February. Returning in March, the 42nd Indiana joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, participating in the principal battles, including Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, and Jonesboro. The regiment also performed extended picket duty near Allatoona.
After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment marched in pursuit of Hood’s army to Galesville, Alabama, then returned to Atlanta to join Sherman’s March to the Sea, culminating in the capture of Savannah. The 42nd Indiana continued through the Carolinas, fighting at Averasboro and Bentonville. Following the end of active operations, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., then to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out on July 25, 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
- Perryville (October 1862)
- Stone’s River (December 1862 – January 1863)
- Chickamauga (September 1863)
- Lookout Mountain (November 1863)
- Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
- Rocky Face Ridge (May 1864)
- Resaca (May 1864)
- Kennesaw Mountain (June 1864)
- Chattahoochee River (July 1864)
- Peachtree Creek (July 1864)
- Atlanta (July–September 1864)
- Jonesboro (August–September 1864)
- March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
- Capture of Savannah (December 1864)
- Averasboro (March 1865)
- Bentonville (March 1865)
Casualties
- Total killed on the field: 86
- Total wounded: 443
- Total taken prisoner: 100
- Total killed, wounded, and missing: 629
- Total deaths (including disease and other causes): 254
- Desertions: 60
- Unaccounted for: 119
The regiment mustered out with 846 men. The original strength was 1,019; gains by recruits, 929; reenlistments, 215; total, 2,163.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel James G. Jones
- Colonel William T. B. McIntire
- Colonel Gideon R. Kellams
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles Denby
- Lieutenant Colonel James M. Shanklin
- Lieutenant Colonel William T. B. McIntire
- Lieutenant Colonel Gideon R. Kellams
- Lieutenant Colonel William M. Cockrum
- Major James M. Shanklin
- Major William T. B. McIntire
- Major Nathaniel B. French
- Major Gideon R. Kellams
- Major John A. Schemmerhorn
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 42nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 42nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 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