20th Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 20th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Lafayette, Indiana, in July 1861 and mustered into Federal service at Indianapolis on July 22, 1861. Serving throughout the duration of the Civil War, the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and participated in numerous major campaigns and battles in the Eastern Theater. The 20th Indiana was notable for its early service on the Atlantic coast, its heavy engagement at Gettysburg, and its continued service through the end of the war.

The regiment was composed primarily of volunteers from Indiana and saw extensive action, suffering significant casualties in several major battles. It was mustered out of service at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 12, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 20th Indiana Infantry was organized at Lafayette, Indiana, in July 1861 and mustered in at Indianapolis on July 22, 1861. The regiment left Indiana on August 2, 1861, and was initially ordered to Cockeysville, Maryland, for railroad guard duty. On September 24, 1861, it sailed for Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, and was stationed at the north end of Hatteras Bank. On October 4, 1861, the regiment was attacked by Confederate forces and compelled to retreat. It later embarked for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, on November 9, where it remained until March 1862.

In March 1862, the 20th Indiana was stationed at Newport News and played a role during the engagement between the CSS Virginia (Merrimac), USS Cumberland, and USS Congress, preventing Confederate forces from taking possession of the Congress. The regiment participated in the capture of Norfolk and was assigned to Jameson’s Brigade, Kearny’s Division, Heintzelman’s Corps, with which it fought at Fair Oaks. It was heavily engaged at Oak Grove and throughout the Seven Days’ Battles, especially at Frazier’s Farm. The regiment subsequently moved to Yorktown, Alexandria, and then to Manassas, where Colonel Brown was killed in action. It also fought at Chantilly before being ordered to Arlington Heights for rest.

In October 1862, the regiment crossed the Potomac in pursuit of Stuart’s cavalry and camped at Poolesville, Maryland, before moving to Leesburg and Warrenton. The 20th Indiana served with Franklin’s Corps at Fredericksburg and fought at Chancellorsville in May 1863, where it captured the 23rd Georgia Infantry. The regiment participated in the Gettysburg Campaign, arriving in time for the second day’s battle and suffering heavy losses, including the death of Colonel Wheeler. It continued in action on July 3 and during skirmishing on July 4, then pursued Lee’s army, engaging at Manassas Gap.

Following the Gettysburg Campaign, the regiment was sent to New York City during the draft riots and later engaged at Locust Grove and Mine Run in November 1863. A portion of the regiment reenlisted as veterans on January 1, 1864, at Culpeper, Virginia, and received a furlough. The 20th Indiana participated in the Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern, Po River, Spotsylvania, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. At Cold Harbor, veterans and recruits from the 14th Indiana were consolidated with the 20th. The regiment was engaged at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, and in the trenches before Petersburg, where Lieutenant Colonel Meikel was killed. On October 18, 1864, recruits and veterans from the 17th and 19th Indiana were consolidated with the 20th. The regiment continued to serve in the Petersburg operations, including Peebles’ Farm and Hatcher’s Run, and was part of the advance division of the 2nd Corps in the final pursuit of Lee, participating in actions leading up to the Confederate surrender. The regiment moved to Washington, D.C., then to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out on July 12, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina (October 1861)
• Fortress Monroe, Virginia
• Engagement between Merrimac, Cumberland, and Congress (March 1862)
• Capture of Norfolk
• Fair Oaks
• Oak Grove
• Seven Days’ Battles (including Frazier’s Farm)
• Second Manassas
• Chantilly
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Manassas Gap
• Locust Grove
• Mine Run
• Wilderness
• Todd’s Tavern
• Po River
• Spotsylvania
• Totopotomoy
• Cold Harbor
• Deep Bottom
• Strawberry Plains
• Petersburg (trenches and operations)
• Peebles’ Farm
• Hatcher’s Run
• Final Appomattox Campaign

Casualties

• Original strength: 1,051
• Gained by recruits: 410
• Reenlistments: 282
• Total served: 1,743
• Loss by death: 228
• Desertion: 66
• Unaccounted for: 176
• Reorganized strength: 906
• Gained by recruits (reorganized): 33
• Total (reorganized): 939
• Loss by death (reorganized): 44
• Unaccounted for (reorganized): 56

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources regarding breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William L. Brown
• Colonel John Van Valkenburg
• Colonel John Wheeler
• Colonel William C. L. Taylor
• Colonel William Orr
• Colonel Albert S. Andrews
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles D. Murray
• Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin H. Smith
• Lieutenant Colonel James H. Shannon
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Meikel
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Shafer
• Major George F. Dick
• Major Erasmus C. Galbreath
• Major Joseph T. Ives
• Major John W. Williams

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 20th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during the regiment’s term of service, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 20th Indiana Infantry Regiment Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts.
• 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.