5th Indiana Light Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 5th Indiana Light Battery served as an artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, the battery was mustered into service on November 22, 1861. It operated primarily in the Western Theater, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements across Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and beyond. The battery was noted for its mobility, frequent engagements, and distinguished conduct in several major battles.

The 5th Indiana Light Battery was initially commanded by Captain Peter Simonson, later succeeded by Captain Alfred Morrison. The unit was recognized for its effective service, including notable actions at Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, and throughout the Atlanta Campaign.

Organization & Service

The battery was organized at Indianapolis in the fall of 1861 and mustered in on November 22. It left Indiana on November 27, 1861, with 148 men, proceeding to Camp Gilbert near Louisville, Kentucky. After a brief stay, it was assigned to Mitchell’s division of Buell’s Army at Bacon Creek in December. In early 1862, the battery advanced through Bowling Green to Nashville, Tennessee, and then moved to Murfreesboro, Fayetteville, and Huntsville, Alabama. The battery played a role in disrupting Confederate supply trains near Huntsville and participated in raids, sometimes operating as cavalry.

In June 1862, half the battery was attached to the 19th Illinois Infantry and stationed at Bridgeport, Alabama, with the remainder joining in August. The battery covered the removal of government stores at Stevenson, Alabama, and engaged Confederate forces there on August 31. It subsequently moved with the army to Nashville and Louisville, participating in the campaign against Bragg and fighting at Perryville, Kentucky, where it suffered significant casualties and equipment losses.

After returning to Nashville in November 1862, the battery was assigned to the 2nd Division under General R. W. Johnson and fought at Triune and Stones River, sustaining further losses in men, horses, and artillery. The unit wintered at Murfreesboro and was engaged at Liberty Gap in June 1863, then moved through Tullahoma, Bellefonte, Stevenson, and into Georgia. At Chickamauga, the battery fought on September 19–20, 1863, losing men, horses, and additional guns before retreating to Ringgold.

Following the Chattanooga Campaign, the battery was stationed at Shell Mound, Tennessee, and later moved to Blue Springs, joining the 1st Division, 4th Corps. In February 1864, it saw action at Buzzard Roost. During the Atlanta Campaign, the battery participated in numerous engagements, including Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, Cassville, Pine Mountain (where Captain Simonson was killed), New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Hurst’s Church, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, and Jonesboro. The battery is credited with firing the shot that killed Confederate Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk at Pine Mountain.

After the fall of Atlanta, the battery turned over its guns and horses to the ordnance officer on September 20, 1864. Non-veterans were mustered out at Indianapolis on November 26, 1864. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 7th Indiana Battery and consolidated with that unit on April 5, 1865, serving until mustered out in July 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

  • Advance on Nashville (February 1862)
  • Operations in Alabama (Spring 1862)
  • Engagement at Stevenson, Alabama (August 31, 1862)
  • Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
  • Battle of Triune (December 1862)
  • Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
  • Liberty Gap (June 1863)
  • Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
  • Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
  • Buzzard Roost (February 1864)
  • Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including:
    • Tunnel Hill
    • Rocky Face Ridge
    • Resaca
    • Adairsville
    • Kingston
    • Cassville
    • Pine Mountain
    • New Hope Church
    • Kennesaw Mountain
    • Hurst’s Church
    • Peachtree Creek
    • Atlanta
    • Jonesboro

Casualties

  • Killed in action: 9
  • Mortally wounded: 3
  • Wounded (slightly): 48
  • Died of disease: 21
  • Captured: 3
  • Total losses: 84
  • Guns lost in battle: 4

Figures are based on regimental and official reports. The battery expended over 60,000 rounds of ammunition during its service, and its armament was renewed three times.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Captain Peter Simonson (killed at Pine Mountain, June 1864)
  • Captain Alfred Morrison

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 5th Indiana Light Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, service, and, where available, casualties and transfers.

To view the complete roster, visit the 5th Indiana Light Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 38 (reports and correspondence)
  • Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
  • Dyer, Frederick H., Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 3
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