Overview
The 15th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Lafayette, Indiana, in May 1861, the regiment was first mustered for state service and then reorganized for United States service in June 1861. The unit served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Shiloh, Perryville, Stone’s River, and Missionary Ridge.
The regiment was known for its active combat service and sustained heavy losses in several engagements. It was mustered out in June 1864, with veterans and recruits transferred to the 17th Indiana Infantry.
Organization & Service
The 15th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Lafayette, Indiana, in May 1861 for state service and reorganized for federal service in June 1861. The regiment was mustered into United States service on June 14, 1861. It departed Indiana on July 1, 1861, moving to Clarksburg, West Virginia, and soon after marched to Rich Mountain, arriving during the battle on July 11. The regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces, capturing numerous prisoners.
Following operations in West Virginia, the regiment was stationed in Elk Water Valley until November 19, 1861, engaging in the repulse of Confederate forces under General Lee and fighting at Greenbrier River. The 15th Indiana then joined General Buell’s forces at Louisville, Kentucky, and participated in the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862) and the subsequent siege of Corinth. The regiment fought at Perryville in October 1862, where Colonel George D. Wagner commanded the brigade. In November, the regiment moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Colonel Wagner was promoted to brigadier general on November 29, and Lieutenant Colonel Gustavus A. Wood was promoted to colonel.
The regiment was heavily engaged at the Battle of Stone’s River, suffering significant casualties. It remained at Murfreesboro until June 24, 1863, participating in expeditions and the Tullahoma Campaign, where it helped force the evacuation of Tullahoma. The regiment camped at Pelham until August 17, then advanced on Chattanooga, being among the first Union troops to enter the city. It fought at Missionary Ridge, sustaining heavy losses, and marched to relieve Burnside at Knoxville, remaining there on difficult duty until February 1864. The regiment then performed garrison duty at Chattanooga until June 14, 1864. Part of the regiment reenlisted in February 1864. The 15th Indiana Infantry was mustered out at Indianapolis on June 16, 1864, with veterans and recruits transferred to the 17th Indiana Infantry.
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 (July 1861)
- Greenbrier River
- Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
- Siege of Corinth
- Battle of Perryville (October 1862)
- Battle of Stone’s River (December 1862–January 1863)
- Tullahoma Campaign
- Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
- Relief of Knoxville
- Garrison duty at Chattanooga
Casualties
The original strength of the regiment was 1,056. Gains included 89 recruits and 75 reenlistments, for a total of 1,220 men. Losses by death totaled 171; desertions, 115; unaccounted for, 17. At Stone’s River, the regiment lost 197 killed and wounded; at Missionary Ridge, 202 killed and wounded, representing over 60 percent of those engaged. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel George D. Wagner
- Colonel Gustavus A. Wood
- Lieutenant Colonel Richard Owen
- Lieutenant Colonel John M. Comparet
- Major G. A. Wood
- Major Alexander Fowler
- Major J. M. Comparet
- Major Frank White
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 15th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.
To view the complete roster, visit the 15th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 4, 10, 16, 20, 23, 30, 31
- 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, Vol. 3