53rd Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 53rd Indiana Infantry (Union Army, Infantry) was organized at New Albany, Indiana, in January and February 1862. The regiment served in the Western Theater throughout the Civil War, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Tennessee and later under Sherman’s command. The unit is noted for its involvement in the sieges of Corinth and Vicksburg, the Atlanta Campaign, and the March to the Sea.

The regiment was mustered into Federal service on February 26, 1862, and remained active until July 21, 1865. Over its term, the 53rd Indiana Infantry was attached to various brigades and divisions, seeing extensive service in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Organization & Service

The 53rd Indiana Infantry was organized at New Albany, Indiana, in early 1862, consolidating with recruits originally raised for the 62nd Indiana. The regiment was mustered in on February 26, 1862, and initially assigned to guard prisoners at Indianapolis. On March 15, it departed Indiana for Louisville, Kentucky, and then moved to Savannah, Tennessee, where it remained until April 15.

The regiment participated in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and subsequently moved to Lagrange, conducting expeditions in the surrounding region. It then proceeded to Memphis, Tennessee, where it was stationed until September 1862. The 53rd Indiana moved to Bolivar and took part in the engagement at Hatchie Bridge in October, crossing a burning bridge and charging enemy lines. The regiment operated in northern Mississippi before returning to Memphis, remaining there until April 1863.

Assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps, the regiment moved to Young’s Point, Louisiana, and Grand Gulf, then joined the siege of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg’s surrender, the regiment advanced to Jackson, Mississippi, and later was stationed at Natchez until September 1863. Following Col. Walter Q. Gresham’s promotion to brigadier-general in August, Lt. Col. William Jones assumed command. The 53rd Indiana was attached to the 17th Army Corps and participated in operations in Louisiana before returning to Vicksburg, where it remained until February 1864.

The regiment joined the Meridian Campaign in early 1864. At Hebron, Mississippi, 383 men reenlisted and were furloughed home in March. The 53rd Indiana rejoined Sherman’s army at Acworth, Georgia, on June 6, 1864, and was engaged in the Atlanta Campaign, including actions at Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Peachtree Creek, and the battle before Atlanta on July 22, where Col. Jones was killed. After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Hood’s forces, returned to Atlanta, and then joined the advance on Savannah in November. In 1865, the regiment took part in the Carolinas Campaign, halting at Goldsboro, North Carolina. Following Johnston’s surrender, the 53rd Indiana marched to Washington, D.C., and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 21, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Expeditions from Lagrange, Tennessee (1862)
• Battle of Hatchie Bridge (October 1862)
• Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
• Advance on and occupation of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Operations in Louisiana (late 1863)
• Meridian Campaign (February 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (June–September 1864): Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Peachtree Creek, Battle before Atlanta (July 22, 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood (September–November 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (early 1865)

Casualties

The 53rd Indiana Infantry had an original strength of 916. During its service, the regiment gained 1,194 recruits and 381 reenlistments, totaling 2,491 men. Losses by death numbered 294. There were 100 desertions and 127 men unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Walter Q. Gresham
• Colonel William Jones (killed July 22, 1864, before Atlanta)
• Colonel Warner L. Vestal
• Lieutenant Colonel Roger Martin
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry Duncan
• Major Thomas McGrain, Jr.
• Major William S. Langford
• Major Andrew H. Fabrique

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 53rd Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 53rd Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 17, 24, 32, 38, 39, 47 (reports and correspondence involving the 53rd Indiana Infantry)
• Indiana Adjutant General’s Report, 1865, Vol. 3
• Dyer, Frederick H., “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• Fox, William F., “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• Federal Publishing Company, “The Union Army,” Vol. 3 (1908)