6th Indiana Light Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 6th Indiana Light Battery was an artillery unit organized in Indiana for Union service during the American Civil War. Mustered in at Indianapolis on September 7, 1861, the battery served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in several major campaigns and engagements. The unit was recruited at Evansville and saw extensive action with various commands, including under General Sherman.

The battery is notable for its early and active participation in key battles such as Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Tupelo. It remained in service until the end of the war, mustering out at Indianapolis on July 22, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 6th Indiana Light Battery was organized at Indianapolis in September 1861, with many of its members recruited from Evansville. The unit was mustered into Federal service on September 7, 1861, under the command of Captain Frederick Behr. It departed Indiana on October 21, 1861, moving first to Henderson, Kentucky, and subsequently to Calhoun, South Carrollton, and Owensboro.

In the spring of 1862, the battery joined General Sherman’s command at Paducah, Kentucky, and then moved up the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing. At the Battle of Shiloh, the battery was positioned at the Owl Creek bridge on the Purdy road, where it held its ground for over two hours, supported by McDowell’s brigade. During the engagement, Captain Behr was killed, and the battery was forced to retire, resulting in the loss of most of its guns and 68 horses.

Following Shiloh, the battery participated in the advance on Corinth, Mississippi, and was engaged in a sharp fight on May 28, 1862, where it played a role in driving the enemy from a strong position. After the evacuation of Corinth, the unit moved to Holly Springs and then to Memphis, Tennessee, where it was stationed at Fort Pickering until late November. It then joined Sherman’s forces at the Tallahatchie River before returning to Lagrange, Tennessee, with sections detached to LaFayette and Collierville.

In June 1863, the battery marched to Memphis and then proceeded by steamer to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it was actively engaged in the siege operations until the city’s surrender. The battery also saw action at the Big Black River and participated in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi. Afterward, it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Corps, and camped at Bear Creek. In October, it took part in an expedition to Brownsville, shelling enemy positions.

After moving via Vicksburg to Pocahontas, the battery went into camp. In January 1864, a majority of its members reenlisted as veterans. The unit was stationed at Black River Bridge until March, then moved to Vicksburg and Memphis, and subsequently operated in northern Mississippi. It was engaged at Guntown in June and fought at Tupelo in July, after which it marched with Smith’s command to Oxford and returned in late August. The battery was then assigned to duty at Fort Pickering, Memphis, until ordered to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out on July 22, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
• Siege and Battle of Corinth (May 1862)
• Operations at Holly Springs and Memphis (1862)
• Tallahatchie River operations (November 1862)
• Vicksburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Big Black River (1863)
• Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Expedition to Brownsville (October 1863)
• Guntown (June 1864)
• Battle of Tupelo (July 1864)
• March to Oxford (August 1864)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 6th Indiana Light Battery are not fully detailed in the available primary sources. It is recorded that during the Battle of Shiloh, the battery suffered significant losses, including the death of Captain Behr and the loss of most of its guns and 68 horses. Additional losses occurred in subsequent engagements, but comprehensive totals are not provided in Dyer’s Compendium or state reports.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain Frederick Behr (killed at Shiloh, April 1862)
• Captain Michael Mueller

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 6th Indiana Light Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served throughout its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 6th Indiana Light Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 17, 24, 32
• Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 3 (1908)