Overview
The 7th Indiana Cavalry (119th Indiana Regiment) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized in Indiana in the summer of 1863 for three years’ service, the regiment was mustered in by companies, with the organization completed on October 1, 1863, at Indianapolis. The unit was known for its active service in the Western Theater and was involved in several significant cavalry operations against Confederate forces.
The 7th Indiana Cavalry was attached to the 1st Brigade, 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, and participated in numerous expeditions, skirmishes, and battles across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. The regiment was noted for its discipline and effectiveness in both combat and scouting operations.
Organization & Service
The 7th Indiana Cavalry (119th Indiana Regiment) was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in the summer of 1863 under the authority of the Secretary of War. The regiment was mustered in by companies, and the full organization was completed on October 1, 1863. The unit left Indiana on December 6, 1863, reporting at Louisville, Kentucky, before being ordered to Union City, Tennessee.
On December 14, 1863, a detachment under Major Christian Beck moved toward Paris, Tennessee, but withdrew upon encountering a strong Confederate cavalry force. The regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Grierson, in the 6th Division of the 16th Army Corps. On December 24, 1863, the regiment participated in an expedition into Mississippi to intercept Confederate General Forrest, engaging in a skirmish near Paris.
In early 1864, the regiment fought at Egypt Station, Mississippi, and was heavily engaged near Okolona on February 22, 1864. Despite being forced to retire after a severe battle, the 7th Indiana Cavalry was commended for holding the enemy in check and saving the division’s train and a battery. The regiment suffered significant casualties in this engagement.
Afterward, the unit was stationed near Memphis, Tennessee, performing scouting and railroad guard duties. In June 1864, it participated in Sturgis’ expedition against Forrest, fighting at Guntown, Mississippi, and was again recognized for its performance. The regiment also saw action at La Mavoo, Mississippi, on August 18, and lost seven men to guerrilla attacks near Memphis on October 4.
In November 1864, the regiment marched with Mower’s division through Arkansas in pursuit of Confederate General Price, reaching Cape Girardeau, Missouri, before proceeding by steamer to St. Louis and marching into the interior of Missouri. Returning to Memphis, the regiment joined an expedition against Forrest, surprising his forces at Vernon and capturing significant supplies, including 16 cars of pontoons and 4,000 new English carbines. On December 28, 1864, the regiment attacked the enemy at Egypt Station, capturing or dispersing Confederate forces and destroying a train of 14 cars.
The 7th Indiana Cavalry continued active scouting and provost duty near Memphis until June 1865. It then moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, and was consolidated into six companies on June 21, 1865. The regiment was ordered to Hempstead, Texas, where Colonel John P. C. Shanks was mustered out for disability on October 10, 1865, and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Browne was promoted to colonel. The regiment was finally mustered out of service on February 18, 1866.
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
- Expedition to Union City and Paris, Tennessee (December 1863)
- Skirmish near Paris, Tennessee (December 1863)
- Egypt Station, Mississippi
- Battle near Okolona, Mississippi (February 22, 1864)
- Scouting and railroad guard duty near Memphis, Tennessee
- Sturgis’ Expedition and Battle of Guntown, Mississippi
- Fight at La Mavoo, Mississippi (August 18, 1864)
- Guerrilla attack near Memphis, Tennessee (October 4, 1864)
- Pursuit of Price through Arkansas and Missouri (November 1864)
- Expedition to Vernon, Mississippi
- Attack at Egypt Station, Mississippi (December 28, 1864)
- Scouting and provost duty near Memphis, Tennessee
Casualties
- Original strength: 1,202
- Gained by recruits: 127
- Total enrollment: 1,392
- Loss by death: 243
- Deserted: 169
- Unaccounted for: 29
- Casualties at Okolona: 11 killed, 36 wounded, 37 missing
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John P. C. Shanks
- Colonel Thomas M. Browne
- Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Browne
- Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. W. Simonson
- Major Christian Beck
- Major Samuel E. W. Simonson
- Major John C. Febles
- Major James H. Carpenter
- Major John M. Moore
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 7th Indiana Cavalry (119th Indiana Regiment) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes the names and service details of all officers and enlisted men who served with the regiment during its term of service.
To view the full roster, visit the 7th Indiana Cavalry (119th Indiana Regiment) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXXII, 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