63rd Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 63rd Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized in multiple stages, with initial companies mustered in early 1862 and the full regiment completed by October 3, 1862. The unit served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The 63rd Indiana Infantry is noted for its service in the Atlanta Campaign, the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and the Carolinas Campaign.

Organization & Service

Companies A, B, C, and D of the 63rd Indiana Infantry were organized at Covington, Indiana, in January 1862. These companies were initially assigned to guard Confederate prisoners at Lafayette, Indiana, and later transferred to Camp Morton in Indianapolis for similar duties. On May 27, 1862, the battalion was ordered east and participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run. Afterward, it returned to Indianapolis, where the regiment was completed and officially mustered in on October 3, 1862.

Following organization, Companies E, F, G, and I were detached for provost guard duty, while the remaining companies left Indiana on December 25, 1862, for Shepherdsville, Kentucky, where they performed railroad guard duty and engaged in several skirmishes until January 1864. The regiment consolidated at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in mid-January 1864 and departed for Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 25. From there, it moved to Mossy Creek and then to Bull’s Gap, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps. The regiment participated in operations along the Tennessee & Virginia Railroad, destroying infrastructure before joining Sherman’s army at Red Clay, Georgia, on May 4, 1864.

The 63rd Indiana Infantry was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca, suffering significant casualties at the latter. It continued through the Atlanta Campaign, seeing action at Cassville, Dallas, Lost Mountain, and Kennesaw Mountain, and entered Atlanta on July 20, 1864. The regiment participated in the Battle of Atlanta on July 22 and remained active in the area until September. In October, it joined the pursuit of Hood’s forces, marching through Dalton, Nashville, and Pulaski, and was engaged daily during the retreat before Hood’s advance. The regiment fought at the battles of Franklin and Nashville and joined in the pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River.

In January 1865, the regiment moved to Alexandria, Virginia, and sailed for Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in February. It participated in operations against Hoke’s position, fought at Fort Anderson, and pursued the enemy to Town Creek. The 63rd Indiana then entered Wilmington and marched through Kinston, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Greensboro. Companies A, B, C, and D were mustered out at Indianapolis on May 20, 1865, with the remaining companies mustered out on June 21, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard and provost duty at Lafayette and Camp Morton, Indiana (1862)
• Second Battle of Bull Run (August 1862)
• Railroad guard duty and skirmishes near Shepherdsville, Kentucky (1862–1864)
• Operations in East Tennessee (early 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign, including Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, and Battle of Atlanta (May–September 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army, including actions at Dalton, Franklin, and Nashville (late 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign, including Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, Town Creek, Wilmington, Kinston, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Greensboro (1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the 63rd Indiana Infantry was 872 men, with 373 recruits added for a total of 1,245. The regiment lost 184 men by death, 47 by desertion, and 14 unaccounted for. At the Battle of Resaca, the regiment suffered 18 killed and 94 wounded. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully available in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John S. Williams
• Colonel James McManomy
• Colonel Israel N. Stiles
• Lieutenant Colonel John S. Williams
• Lieutenant Colonel James McManomy
• Lieutenant Colonel Israel N. Stiles
• Major Henry Tindall
• Major James E. Patterson
• Major Frank Wilcox
• Major Jonathan Birch

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 63rd Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

To view the full roster, visit the 63rd Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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