81st Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 81st Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at New Albany, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on August 20, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in several major campaigns and battles throughout the war. The 81st Indiana was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland, and it remained active until June 1865.

This regiment is distinct from any other Indiana infantry units with similar designations.

Organization & Service

The 81st Indiana Infantry was organized at New Albany, Indiana, and mustered in on August 20, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where it remained until October 1, 1862. It then joined Buell’s army in pursuit of Confederate forces under Bragg and was held in reserve during the battle of Perryville.

Following Perryville, the regiment moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. It participated in the advance toward Murfreesboro and was engaged in the battle of Stone’s River on December 31, 1862, where it suffered significant casualties while holding its position on the right wing. After Stone’s River, the regiment remained at Murfreesboro until June 1863, then advanced and fought at Liberty Gap.

The 81st Indiana remained at Winchester, Tennessee, until August 17, 1863, before marching to Stevenson, Alabama, and then to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It participated in the battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, incurring further losses. The regiment was stationed at Chattanooga until late October, then moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, where it stayed until January 1864. It camped at Ooltewah, Tennessee, until May, when it joined the Atlanta Campaign under Sherman.

During the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment was engaged at Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost Gap, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Bald Knob, Kingston, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy’s Station. After the fall of Atlanta, the 81st Indiana joined the pursuit of Hood’s army into Alabama and Tennessee, participating in the battles of Franklin and Nashville in late 1864. The regiment then pursued Confederate forces to Huntsville, Alabama, and was later ordered to Strawberry Plains in eastern Tennessee.

In April 1865, the regiment moved into North Carolina but soon returned to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving on April 22. The 81st Indiana Infantry was mustered out of service on June 13, 1865. Remaining recruits were transferred to the 31st Indiana Infantry and served until that regiment was mustered out.

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)
  • Stone’s River
  • Liberty Gap
  • Chickamauga
  • Tunnel Hill
  • Buzzard Roost Gap
  • Rocky Face Ridge
  • Resaca
  • Dallas
  • Bald Knob
  • Kingston
  • Kennesaw Mountain
  • Chattahoochee River
  • Peachtree Creek
  • Atlanta
  • Jonesboro
  • Lovejoy’s Station
  • Franklin
  • Nashville

Casualties

The original strength of the 81st Indiana Infantry was 939 men, with an additional 43 recruits, totaling 982. The regiment lost 236 men by death, 33 by desertion, and 8 were unaccounted for. At Stone’s River, the regiment lost 4 killed, 44 wounded, and 40 missing. At Chickamauga, losses were 8 killed, 59 wounded, and 22 missing. Detailed breakdowns of deaths by cause are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William W. Caldwell
  • Colonel Horatio Woodbury
  • Colonel Ranna S. Moore
  • Colonel Oliver P. Anderson
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Timberlake
  • Lieutenant Colonel Horatio Woodbury
  • Lieutenant Colonel Leonidas Stout
  • Lieutenant Colonel William C. Wheeler
  • Lieutenant Colonel Oliver P. Anderson
  • Lieutenant Colonel Edward G. Mathey
  • Major Horatio Woodbury
  • Major Leonidas Stout
  • Major William C. Richards
  • Major Edward G. Mathey
  • Major William D. Evritt

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 81st Indiana Infantry, 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 full roster, visit the 81st Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

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