Overview
The 14th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Vigo near Terre Haute in May 1861, it was the first Indiana regiment mustered in for a three-year term, following an initial one-year enlistment. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater, participating in major campaigns and battles with the Army of the Potomac.
This unit is distinct from any earlier one-year service term of the 14th Indiana Infantry.
Organization & Service
The 14th Indiana Infantry was organized at Camp Vigo, near Terre Haute, Indiana, in May 1861. Initially formed as a one-year regiment, it volunteered for three years’ service and was mustered in on June 7, 1861. The regiment departed Indiana on July 5, 1861, moving to Clarksburg, West Virginia, and soon after marched to Rich Mountain, where it was held in reserve during the battle. From July 16 to October 8, the regiment was stationed at Cheat Mountain, engaging in action there on September 12 and at Greenbrier River on October 3.
Following encampments at Huttonsville, Philippi, and Romney, the regiment spent the winter at Paw Paw Tunnel. On March 4, 1862, it joined Shields’ Division and advanced to Winchester, participating in the battle there with notable casualties. The regiment then marched to Fredericksburg in May, and by June 1, reached Front Royal in time to help drive out Confederate forces. Throughout the summer, the regiment was involved in various movements, including severe fighting at Turkey Bend on July 2, 1862, as the Army of the Potomac retreated.
Assigned to the 2nd Corps, the 14th Indiana performed outpost duty and was in frequent contact with the enemy for nearly three weeks before moving to Centerville to assist in covering the army’s retreat. The regiment was in reserve at South Mountain but saw heavy action at Antietam, where its brigade earned the nickname “Gibraltar” for its steadfastness. The 14th Indiana fought for four hours within 60 yards of the enemy’s line, suffering significant losses.
After Antietam, the regiment moved to Harper’s Ferry, Warrenton, and then Falmouth, remaining there until December 11, 1862. Its brigade led the attack at Fredericksburg but was unable to advance beyond a certain point due to strong enemy entrenchments. The regiment wintered at Falmouth and was in reserve at Chancellorsville during the early days of May 1863, later charging and temporarily reclaiming ground lost by the XI Corps, but was forced back with additional casualties.
At Gettysburg, the 14th Indiana played a key role in the fighting on July 2 and 3, 1863, including a charge that resulted in the capture of enemy officers, colors, and men. The regiment suffered heavy losses during the Confederate assault on the cemetery. In August, the regiment was sent to New York to help quell draft riots, but returned to participate in the Bristoe Station engagement in October and the Mine Run Campaign later that year. At Stevensburg, part of the regiment reenlisted as veterans in December 1863.
In early 1864, the regiment saw action at Morton’s Ford and then participated in the Overland Campaign as part of Hancock’s 2nd Corps, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania (where Colonel Coons was killed), and Cold Harbor. The 14th Indiana was mustered out at Indianapolis on June 20, 1864. Remaining veterans and recruits were transferred to the 20th Indiana Infantry on August 1, 1864.
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
- Rich Mountain (reserve)
- Cheat Mountain
- Greenbrier River
- Winchester
- Front Royal
- Turkey Bend
- South Mountain (reserve)
- Antietam
- Fredericksburg
- Chancellorsville
- Gettysburg
- Bristoe Station
- Mine Run Campaign
- Morton’s Ford
- Wilderness
- Spotsylvania
- Cold Harbor
Casualties
The original strength of the regiment was 1,055. Gains by recruits totaled 160, and reenlistments numbered 59, for a total enrollment of 1,274. Losses by death were 185; desertions, 63; unaccounted for, 12. At Winchester, the regiment lost 4 killed and 50 wounded; at Antietam, 31 killed and 150 wounded; at Chancellorsville, 7 killed, 50 wounded, and 2 missing; at Gettysburg, 123 killed and wounded. Figures are based on official reports and regimental records.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Nathan Kimball
- Colonel William Harrow
- Colonel John Coons (killed at Spotsylvania)
- Lieutenant Colonel John R. Mahan
- Lieutenant Colonel William Harrow
- Lieutenant Colonel Philander R. Owen
- Lieutenant Colonel John Coons
- Lieutenant Colonel Elijah H. C. Cavins
- Lieutenant Colonel William Houghton
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 14th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment.
To view the complete roster, visit the 14th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 12, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 39
- 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, Vol. 3 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)