80th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 80th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Princeton, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on September 5, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment was part of the Union Army and participated in several major campaigns and battles throughout the Civil War. The unit is notable for its active service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina, and for sustaining significant casualties in several engagements.

Organization & Service

The 80th Indiana Infantry was organized at Princeton, Indiana, and mustered in on September 5, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment moved to Indianapolis on September 8, where it was armed and then sent to Covington, Kentucky, to assist in repelling the threatened invasion by Confederate General Kirby Smith. The regiment joined General Buell’s army at Louisville and participated in the advance against General Bragg’s Confederate forces.

The regiment was engaged at the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, where it suffered heavy losses. After Perryville, the 80th Indiana remained in Kentucky on guard duty and took part in two expeditions against Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan. In August 1863, the regiment moved with General Burnside’s army into East Tennessee, participating in the campaigns there, including actions at Kingston and Mossy Creek.

In the spring of 1864, the 80th Indiana left Tennessee with the XXIII Corps and joined Sherman’s army at Red Clay, Georgia. The regiment was involved in the Atlanta Campaign, fighting at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and in the battles before Atlanta, again sustaining significant casualties. Following the fall of Atlanta, the regiment joined the pursuit of Hood’s Confederate army as far as Gaylesville, Alabama. The XXIII Corps was then detached and sent to Tennessee, where the 80th Indiana participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and the subsequent pursuit of Hood’s forces to the Tennessee River.

In January 1865, the regiment was transferred to Alexandria, Virginia, and then embarked for North Carolina. There, it took part in the campaign against Wilmington, including the attack on Fort Anderson, and was engaged at Kinston, Goldsboro, and Raleigh. After the surrender of Confederate General Johnston, the regiment remained on duty in North Carolina. The 80th Indiana Infantry was mustered out at Salisbury, North Carolina, on June 22, 1865. Recruits who joined after October 1, 1862, were transferred to the 129th Indiana Infantry and continued service with that regiment.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Kentucky against Kirby Smith (September 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
• Expeditions against Morgan’s Cavalry (1862–1863)
• East Tennessee Campaign (Kingston, Mossy Creek, 1863–1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Battles before Atlanta, 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood to Gaylesville, Alabama (Fall 1864)
• Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood to Tennessee River (December 1864)
• North Carolina Campaign (Fort Anderson, Wilmington, Kinston, Goldsboro, Raleigh, 1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the 80th Indiana Infantry was 949 men, with an additional 100 recruits, totaling 1,049. The regiment lost 237 men by death (killed, mortally wounded, or died of disease). There were 49 desertions and 3 men unaccounted for. At Perryville, the regiment lost 150 killed and wounded; during the Atlanta Campaign, it lost 175 killed and wounded. Detailed breakdowns by cause are not always available in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles Denby
• Colonel Lewis Brooks
• Colonel James L. Culbertson
• Colonel Alfred D. Owen
• Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Brooks
• Lieutenant Colonel George T. Simonson
• Lieutenant Colonel James L. Culbertson
• Lieutenant Colonel Alfred D. Owen
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Tucker
• Major George T. Simonson
• Major James L. Culbertson
• Major John W. Tucker
• Major Jeremiah C. Gladish
• Major Harrison M. Spain

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 80th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term of service, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for genealogical and historical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 80th Indiana Infantry 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