71st Indiana Regiment / 6th Indiana Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 6th Indiana Cavalry (also known as the 71st Indiana Regiment) was a Union cavalry regiment from Indiana that served during the American Civil War. Initially organized as infantry and mustered in on August 18, 1862, the regiment was later converted to cavalry service. The unit served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles, including the Atlanta Campaign and Stoneman’s Raid.

This regiment was notable for its early service as infantry, suffering significant losses at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, before being reorganized as cavalry. The 6th Indiana Cavalry was attached to various brigades and divisions throughout its service and played an active role in both offensive operations and defensive actions against Confederate cavalry raids.

Organization & Service

The 71st Indiana Regiment was organized as infantry and mustered into service on August 18, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment was sent to Kentucky to assist in repelling Confederate General Kirby Smith’s invasion. At the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the regiment suffered heavy losses, with 215 killed and wounded and 347 taken prisoner, including Lieutenant Colonel Melville D. Topping and Major William Conklin among the killed. Only 225 men escaped capture. The captured members were paroled, returned to Terre Haute, Indiana, and were exchanged later in the fall of 1862.

On December 27, 1862, 400 men from the regiment were sent to Muldraugh’s Hill, Kentucky, to guard trestle work. The following day, they were surrounded and captured by approximately 4,000 of Morgan’s cavalry. The regiment subsequently returned to Indianapolis, remaining there until August 26, 1863. During this period, on February 23, 1863, the regiment was converted to cavalry and designated as the 6th Indiana Cavalry. Two additional companies were organized and added during the year.

The regiment participated in the siege of Knoxville and operations against Longstreet on the Holston and Clinch rivers, incurring further casualties. In the spring of 1864, the unit was ordered to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, to be remounted and was stationed at Nicholasville, Kentucky, until April. The regiment then moved to join Sherman’s army at Dalton, Georgia, arriving on May 11, 1864, and was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Ohio. It took part in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, Kennesaw Mountain, and other engagements during the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment aided in the capture of Allatoona Pass and was the first to raise a flag on Lost Mountain.

The 6th Indiana Cavalry participated in Stoneman’s Raid to Macon, Georgia, where it lost 166 men killed, wounded, or captured. The unit returned to Nashville on August 28, 1864, was remounted, and sent in pursuit of Wheeler’s cavalry. It was engaged in repelling Forrest’s invasion of Middle Tennessee, fighting at Pulaski and pursuing Confederate forces to Waterloo, Alabama. On November 1, the regiment moved to Dalton, Georgia, and returned to Nashville on November 26. It was engaged in the Battle of Nashville and joined in the pursuit of Hood’s army afterward.

The regiment remained at Nashville until April 1865, then moved to Pulaski, Tennessee, with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. On June 17, 1865, the original members (425 men) were mustered out at Pulaski. The remaining recruits, whose terms did not expire before October 1, were consolidated with the 5th Indiana Cavalry, and the new organization continued as the 6th Indiana Cavalry. The regiment remained in Middle Tennessee until September 15, 1865, when it was mustered out at Murfreesboro.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Richmond, Kentucky (August 1862)
• Siege of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
• Operations against Longstreet on the Holston and Clinch Rivers (Winter 1863–1864)
• Atlanta Campaign, including Resaca, Cassville, Kennesaw Mountain, Allatoona Pass, and Lost Mountain (May–September 1864)
• Stoneman’s Raid to Macon, Georgia (July–August 1864)
• Operations against Wheeler’s and Forrest’s cavalry (Summer–Fall 1864)
• Battle of Pulaski, Tennessee (September 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army (December 1864)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 1,200. The total gain by recruits was 548, making a total of 1,748 men who served in the regiment. Loss by death was 260; desertion, 105; unaccounted for, 72. At the Battle of Richmond, the regiment lost 215 killed and wounded and 347 captured. During Stoneman’s Raid, it lost 166 men killed, wounded, or captured. Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Biddle
• Colonel Courtland C. Matson
• Lieutenant Colonel Melville D. Topping (killed at Richmond, KY)
• Lieutenant Colonel Courtland C. Matson
• Major William Conklin (killed at Richmond, KY)
• Major William W. Carter
• Major Daniel A. Conover
• Major Orlando J. Smith
• Major Jacob S. Stephens
• Major Chauncey H. Thompson
• Major Edward H. Thompson
• Major Russell P. Finney

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 6th Indiana Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term of service, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 6th Indiana Cavalry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

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