Overview
The 18th Indiana Light Battery was an artillery unit organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, during the summer of 1862. It was mustered into United States service on August 24, 1862, and served with the Union Army in the Western Theater throughout the Civil War. The battery was attached to various commands, including the 4th Division of the 14th Army Corps, and participated in numerous campaigns and engagements across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
The battery is notable for its service with Wilder’s Brigade, its participation in major battles such as Chickamauga and the Atlanta Campaign, and for being commanded by officers including Joseph A. Scott, Eli Lilly, and Moses M. Beck.
Organization & Service
The 18th Indiana Light Battery was organized at Indianapolis and mustered in on August 24, 1862. Shortly after organization, the battery moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was assigned to the 4th Division, 14th Army Corps. The unit marched through Frankfort to Bowling Green, then to Gallatin, Tennessee. Following the occupation of Murfreesboro by General Rosecrans’ army, the battery moved to that city.
In June 1863, the battery advanced with Wilder’s Brigade during the Tullahoma Campaign, engaging the enemy at Hoover’s Gap and contributing to the Union success there. After the Confederates abandoned Chattanooga, the battery entered the city. At the Battle of Chickamauga, the battery played a significant role in repelling Confederate assaults, particularly those led by Longstreet’s columns.
After Chickamauga, the battery moved up the Tennessee River to guard fords and, in October 1863, participated in operations against Wheeler’s cavalry in the Sequatchie Valley, including actions at Thompson’s Cove and McMinnville. The battery then moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and subsequently participated in the Chattanooga Campaign, including the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville, with engagements at Mossy Creek, Fair Garden, and Dandridge.
In April 1864, Captain Eli Lilly was promoted, and Lieutenant Moses M. Beck assumed command. The battery joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign in May 1864, seeing action at Resaca, Stilesboro, Cassville, Lost Mountain, Vining’s Bridge, Newnan, Hopkinsville, and West Point. After the fall of Atlanta, the battery participated in the pursuit of Hood’s army to Nashville and engaged the enemy at Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
The battery then marched to Eastport, Mississippi, and joined Wilson’s Cavalry Corps for the 1865 campaign through Alabama and Georgia, fighting at Selma, West Point, and Macon, where significant Confederate stores were destroyed. The battery returned to Chattanooga and then to Nashville before moving to Indianapolis on June 23, 1865, with 3 officers and 180 men. It was mustered out of service on June 30, 1865. During its service, the battery received 45 recruits and, in November 1864, 65 men from the 11th Indiana Battery were transferred to it.
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
- March to Bowling Green and Gallatin, Tennessee (1862)
- Occupation of Murfreesboro
- Tullahoma Campaign (June 1863), including Hoover’s Gap
- Chattanooga Campaign
- Battle of Chickamauga (September 1863)
- Sequatchie Valley operations (October 1863), including Thompson’s Cove and McMinnville
- Relief of Knoxville, including Mossy Creek, Fair Garden, and Dandridge
- Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Resaca, Stilesboro, Cassville, Lost Mountain, Vining’s Bridge, Newnan, Hopkinsville, West Point
- Pursuit of Hood to Nashville
- Engagement at Hopkinsville, Kentucky
- Wilson’s Raid (1865): Selma, West Point, Macon
Casualties
- Killed or died of disease: 32
- Discharged for disability: 26
- The battery left for the field with 151 men and officers and received 45 recruits. In November 1864, 65 men from the 11th Indiana Battery were transferred to the 18th.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Joseph A. Scott
- Captain Eli Lilly
- Captain Moses M. Beck
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 18th 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 service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 18th Indiana Light Battery Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII, 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