8th Indiana Light Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 8th Indiana Light Battery was an artillery unit organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in December 1861 for Union service during the American Civil War. Serving in the Western Theater, the battery participated in numerous campaigns and engagements across Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. It was notable for being the first Union artillery to enter Nashville, Tennessee, and for its active service in several major battles and campaigns.

Organization & Service

The 8th Indiana Light Battery was organized at Indianapolis in December 1861 and mustered into service under Captain George T. Cochran. The unit departed Indiana on January 24, 1862, for Louisville, Kentucky, and was attached to General Nelson’s division. The battery reached Nashville, Tennessee, on February 26, 1862, becoming the first Union artillery to enter the city. It was then assigned to Wood’s division and marched to Pittsburg Landing, arriving after the Battle of Shiloh had concluded.

The battery participated in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and subsequently moved through northern Alabama to Tuscumbia, engaging in several skirmishes along the way. In August 1862, it fought at McMinnville, Tennessee, where it played a significant role in routing the opposing force. The battery joined the pursuit of Confederate General Bragg, reached Munfordville after its surrender, and helped drive enemy forces from the area before moving to Louisville. It fought at Perryville and participated in additional skirmishes before returning to Nashville.

On December 26, 1862, the battery moved with Hascall’s brigade, engaging the enemy near Lavergne and Stewart’s Creek, and was positioned to hold a bridge during the advance. The unit arrived at Murfreesboro on December 30 and took part in the Battle of Stone’s River, where it suffered heavy losses and required infantrymen to serve the guns. After the battle, the battery was stationed in the fortifications at Murfreesboro.

In April 1863, Lieutenant George Estep was promoted to captain. The battery participated in the Tullahoma Campaign, moving with Rosecrans’ army and later camping at Hillsboro. In August, it moved to the Sequatchie Valley and then to Chattanooga, becoming the first Federal battery to pass through the city. The unit continued to Ringgold, Georgia, and Gordon’s Mill, engaging in frequent skirmishes. At the Battle of Chickamauga, the battery suffered significant casualties and was temporarily captured before being recaptured by Union forces. It then fell back to Chattanooga and served in the city’s defenses until the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

During the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, Captain Estep was detached to serve as acting assistant ordnance officer with the XIV Corps. Lieutenant Winsor, left in command at Chattanooga, was later detailed to command captured Confederate guns at Resaca, Georgia, where the battery performed garrison duty and engaged Hood’s forces in October 1864. After destroying the works at Resaca, the unit returned to Chattanooga. Some members re-enlisted as veterans in April 1864. The battery mustered out in January 1865, and its veterans were consolidated with the 7th Indiana Battery, with Lieutenant Stokes appointed captain of the reorganized unit.

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

  • Occupation of Nashville, Tennessee (February 1862)
  • Siege of Corinth, Mississippi (April–May 1862)
  • Skirmishes en route to Tuscumbia, Alabama (1862)
  • Engagement at McMinnville, Tennessee (August 1862)
  • Pursuit of Bragg and actions at Munfordville and Perryville, Kentucky (September–October 1862)
  • Battle of Stone’s River, Tennessee (December 30, 1862–January 3, 1863)
  • Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
  • Chickamauga Campaign and Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia (September 1863)
  • Defense of Chattanooga, Tennessee (September–November 1863)
  • Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
  • Atlanta Campaign (1864), including garrison duty at Resaca and action against Hood’s forces (October 1864)

Casualties

At the Battle of Chickamauga, the battery lost 2 killed, 9 wounded, and 7 captured, with 43 horses killed or disabled. Complete casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Captain George T. Cochran
  • Captain George Estep
  • Lieutenant Winsor (commanded at Chattanooga and Resaca)
  • Lieutenant Stokes (commanded at Chattanooga during Winsor’s absence)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 8th Indiana Light Battery, 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 complete roster, visit the 8th Indiana Light Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 38
  • 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
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