Overview
The 88th Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment organized at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and mustered into United States service on August 29, 1862, for the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and was attached to several brigades and divisions within the Army of the Cumberland. Noted for its participation in major campaigns from Perryville through the Carolinas, the 88th Indiana Infantry was recognized for its steadfastness in battle and significant contributions to Union operations.
Organization & Service
The 88th Indiana Infantry was organized at Fort Wayne and mustered in on August 29, 1862. The regiment departed Indiana the same day for Louisville, Kentucky, where it was positioned to help defend the city against Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith. On October 1, 1862, the regiment was assigned to the 17th Brigade, Rousseau’s Division, and joined the pursuit of General Bragg’s Confederate army.
The regiment fought at the Battle of Perryville, where its brigade formed the right of the division and withstood a determined assault, suffering heavy losses but holding its ground. After pursuing the enemy to Crab Orchard, the regiment returned and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, via Lebanon and Turee Springs. In November 1862, following army reorganization, the 88th was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Cumberland.
The regiment participated in the Battle of Stones River, where it was heavily engaged and contributed to the Union counterattack that repulsed Confederate advances. After wintering at Murfreesboro, the regiment joined the Tullahoma Campaign in June 1863, seeing action at Hoover’s Gap, Tullahoma, Hillsboro, and Elk River. The regiment crossed the Cumberland, Sand, and Lookout Mountain ranges, and was engaged at Dug Gap, Georgia, before participating in the Battle of Chickamauga. Despite initial successes, the regiment and its division were forced back by superior numbers and later served as rear guard during the retreat to Chattanooga.
The 88th Indiana was present with General Hooker at the Battle of Lookout Mountain and took part in the assault on Missionary Ridge, being among the first to plant its flag on the Confederate works. The regiment subsequently fought at Graysville and Ringgold, assisting in the capture of a Confederate battery, and was involved in the occupation of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, in February 1864.
During the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment participated in engagements at Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and numerous skirmishes leading to the siege and eventual capture of Atlanta. It fought at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, and at Utoy Creek, entering Atlanta upon its evacuation. In October, the regiment joined the pursuit of Hood’s army, marching over 300 miles before returning in November to join General Sherman’s movement toward Savannah.
After crossing the Savannah River in January 1865, the 88th Indiana advanced into South Carolina, destroying railroad infrastructure and engaging in various operations. The regiment fought at Averasboro and Bentonville, North Carolina, before reaching Goldsboro on March 22. It then moved to the Cape Fear River, proceeded to Richmond, Virginia, and finally to Washington, D.C., where it was mustered out on June 7, 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
- Defense of Louisville, Kentucky (September–October 1862)
- Pursuit of Bragg (October 1862)
- Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
- Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 3, 1863)
- Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863): Hoover’s Gap, Tullahoma, Hillsboro, Elk River
- Battle of Dug Gap, Georgia (September 1863)
- Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
- Battle of Lookout Mountain (November 24, 1863)
- Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
- Graysville and Ringgold (November 1863)
- Occupation of Tunnel Hill, Georgia (February 1864)
- Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Battle of Atlanta (July 22), Utoy Creek
- Pursuit of Hood (October–November 1864)
- March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
- Carolinas Campaign (January–March 1865): Averasboro, Bentonville
- Occupation of Goldsboro, North Carolina (March 1865)
- Advance to Richmond and Washington, D.C. (April–June 1865)
Casualties
- Original strength: 951
- Gains by recruits: 180
- Total served: 1,131
- Loss by death (killed, mortally wounded, disease): 208
- Deserted: 36
- Unaccounted for: 8
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel George Humphrey
- Colonel Cyrus E. Briant
- Lieutenant Colonel Hiram S. Tousley
- Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus E. Briant
- Lieutenant Colonel George W. Stough
- Lieutenant Colonel Lewis J. Blair
- Major James C. Bodley
- Major George W. Stough
- Major Lewis J. Blair
- Major Joseph E. Webster
- Major William N. Voris
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 88th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, 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 88th 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