84th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 84th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Richmond, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into service on September 3, 1862. The unit participated in numerous campaigns and battles across the Western Theater, including major engagements in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

The regiment was notable for its involvement in the defense against Confederate General Kirby Smith’s threatened invasion of Kentucky, as well as for its participation in the battles of Chickamauga, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville. The 84th Indiana Infantry mustered out of service on June 14, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 84th Indiana Infantry was organized at Richmond, Indiana, and mustered in on September 3, 1862. Shortly after, the regiment departed for Covington, Kentucky, on September 8, where it was assigned to the defenses against the anticipated advance of Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith. On October 1, the regiment moved by rail to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and then to Guyandotte on October 13, remaining there until November 14.

Following duty near Cassville and Catlettsburg, Kentucky, the regiment left Catlettsburg for Louisville on February 7, 1863, arriving on February 17. It was then assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of Kentucky, and ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, and subsequently to Franklin, Tennessee, where it engaged in several skirmishes and remained until June 3. The regiment then marched to Triune, Tennessee, joining the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, under General Granger. It participated in the fight at Triune and the pursuit of Confederate General Bragg, moving through Middleton, Shelbyville, and Wartrace, and remaining in that area until August 12.

The regiment moved to Estill Springs on August 20, then to Tullahoma, Stevenson, Bridgeport, and Chattanooga, arriving on September 13, 1863. At the Battle of Chickamauga, the 84th Indiana held the extreme left of its division, repulsing multiple assaults and aiding General Thomas in holding the Union line, suffering significant casualties. Afterward, the regiment moved to Lookout Mountain, Moccasin Point, and Shell Mound, remaining there until January 26, 1864.

Assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, the regiment moved toward Georgia via Cleveland, Tennessee, and was engaged at Buzzard Roost. It returned to Cleveland until May 3, then marched with the army for the Atlanta Campaign. The 84th Indiana fought at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Kolb’s Farm, and Peachtree Creek. It participated in the operations around Atlanta, including the battles of Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station.

In October 1864, the regiment was transferred to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, and left Atlanta for Chattanooga, then moved to Athens, Alabama, and Pulaski, Tennessee. It was present at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, and later participated in the Battle of Nashville, taking part in charges against enemy positions. The regiment pursued the retreating Confederate forces as far as Huntsville, Alabama, and remained there until March 13, 1865. It was then ordered to eastern Tennessee, operating near Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, and Bull’s Gap, before moving to Nashville on April 18. The 84th Indiana Infantry was mustered out on June 14, 1865, with remaining recruits transferred to the 57th Indiana Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Covington, Kentucky (September 1862)
• Operations at Point Pleasant and Guyandotte, West Virginia (October–November 1862)
• Duty near Cassville and Catlettsburg, Kentucky (late 1862–February 1863)
• Skirmishes near Franklin, Tennessee (Spring 1863)
• Fight at Triune and pursuit of Bragg (June 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Lookout Mountain and Shell Mound operations (late 1863–early 1864)
• Buzzard Roost (early 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign: Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Kolb’s Farm, Peachtree Creek (May–July 1864)
• Operations around Atlanta, including Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station (August–September 1864)
• Movement to Chattanooga, Athens, Pulaski, and Columbia, Tennessee (October–November 1864)
• Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)
• Pursuit to Huntsville, Alabama (December 1864–March 1865)
• Operations in eastern Tennessee: Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, Bull’s Gap (Spring 1865)

Casualties

• Original strength: 949
• Gained by recruits: 78
• Total served: 1,027
• Loss by death: 207
• Desertions: 53
• Unaccounted for: 9

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources regarding the breakdown of casualties by cause.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Nelson Trusler
• Colonel Andrew J. Neff
• Colonel Martin B. Miller
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Orr
• Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J. Neff
• Lieutenant Colonel William A. Boyd
• Lieutenant Colonel John C. Taylor
• Lieutenant Colonel Martin B. Miller
• Lieutenant Colonel George N. Carter
• Major Andrew J. Neff
• Major William A. Boyd
• Major William Burres
• Major John C. Taylor
• Major Martin B. Miller
• Major George N. Carter
• Major Robert M. Grubbs

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 84th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 84th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII, XXXIX, 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