79th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 79th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on September 2, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment was active in numerous campaigns and engagements throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The 79th Indiana was attached to various brigades and divisions, most notably within the 21st Army Corps and later the 4th Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.

The regiment is noted for its participation in major battles such as Stone’s River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign. It was mustered out of service at Indianapolis on June 11, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 79th Indiana Infantry was organized at Indianapolis and mustered in on September 2, 1862, under Colonel Frederick Knefler. The regiment departed immediately for Louisville, Kentucky, in response to the threat posed by Confederate General Bragg’s army. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 21st Army Corps, Army of the Ohio (later Army of the Cumberland).

In October 1862, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Bragg’s forces, serving in reserve at the Battle of Perryville and engaging in a skirmish at Crab Orchard. The unit then moved through Logan’s Cross Roads and Gallatin, Tennessee, before encamping at Nashville. At the Battle of Stone’s River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863), the regiment suffered significant casualties and contributed to the repulse of Confederate attacks.

After remaining at Murfreesboro until June 1863, the 79th Indiana advanced through Tullahoma, Manchester, McMinnville, and Pikeville. During the Chickamauga Campaign, the regiment was engaged in heavy skirmishing and, at the Battle of Chickamauga, captured the 1st Virginia Battery, sustaining further losses. During the subsequent siege of Chattanooga, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps. Temporarily consolidated with the 86th Indiana, the combined force led the assault on Missionary Ridge, capturing enemy artillery and prisoners.

Following the relief of Knoxville in December 1863, the regiment remained in East Tennessee through the winter, enduring harsh conditions and frequent skirmishes at locations including Strawberry Plains, New Market, Mossy Creek, and Clinch Valley. In the spring of 1864, the regiment rejoined its corps at Chattanooga and participated in the Atlanta Campaign, engaging in actions at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Kingston, Cassville, New Hope Church, Pickett’s Mill, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, and Peachtree Creek.

After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment took part in the pursuit of Hood’s army into Alabama and was then detached to reinforce General Thomas at Nashville. The 79th Indiana was present at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, including the storming of Overton’s Hill. The regiment subsequently moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and later to Morristown and Jonesboro, Tennessee. Upon learning of the Confederate surrender, the regiment returned to Nashville and was mustered out at Indianapolis on June 11, 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 (reserve)
  • Crab Orchard (skirmish)
  • Stone’s River
  • Tullahoma Campaign
  • Chickamauga
  • Siege of Chattanooga
  • Missionary Ridge
  • Relief of Knoxville
  • Strawberry Plains
  • New Market
  • Mossy Creek
  • Clinch Valley
  • Rocky Face Ridge
  • Resaca (reserve)
  • Calhoun
  • Adairsville
  • Kingston
  • Cassville
  • New Hope Church
  • Pickett’s Mill
  • Lost Mountain
  • Kennesaw Mountain
  • Peachtree Creek
  • Siege of Atlanta
  • Jonesboro
  • Lovejoy’s Station
  • Pursuit of Hood (to Gaylesville, AL)
  • Franklin (reserve)
  • Nashville (Overton’s Hill)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 921, with an additional 245 recruits, totaling 1,166 men. Loss by death was reported as 187; desertions, 48; unaccounted for, 6. At Stone’s River, the regiment lost 7 killed and 44 wounded. At Chickamauga, losses were 1 killed, 40 wounded, and 13 missing. Other detailed breakdowns by engagement are not available in the primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Frederick Knefler
  • Lieutenant Colonel Samuel P. Oyler
  • Lieutenant Colonel George W. Parker
  • Major Perry M. Blankenship
  • Major Elliot G. Wallace
  • Major George W. Parker
  • Major John G. Dunbar

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 79th 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 additional service details where available.

To view the full roster, visit the 79th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XVI, XX, XXIII, XXXVIII, XLV
  • 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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