22nd Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War

Overview

The 22nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in July 1861 at Madison, Indiana, and mustered in at Indianapolis on August 15, 1861, the regiment was active in the Western Theater. The 22nd Indiana participated in numerous major campaigns and engagements, including Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone’s River, the Atlanta Campaign, and the Carolinas Campaign.

The regiment was known for its heavy losses at Perryville and its continued service through the end of the war, mustering out in July 1865. It was attached to various brigades and divisions throughout its service, reflecting the shifting needs of the Union Army in the West.

Organization & Service

The 22nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Madison, Indiana, in July 1861 and mustered into Federal service at Indianapolis on August 15, 1861. The regiment left Indiana on August 17, 1861, joining Fremont’s army at St. Louis, Missouri. It was sent up the Missouri River to attempt the relief of Colonel Mulligan at Lexington, but the expedition was abandoned after Mulligan’s surrender.

Following this, the regiment moved to Springfield and Otterville, Missouri. In December 1861, it assisted in the capture of 1,300 prisoners at Blackwater. Colonel Jefferson C. Davis was promoted to brigadier-general in December, and the regiment, now attached to his division, participated in the expedition against Confederate forces under Price in January 1862. The 22nd Indiana fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, where Lieutenant Colonel John A. Hendricks was mortally wounded.

After Pea Ridge, the regiment moved through Batesville and Cape Girardeau to Corinth, Mississippi, participating in the siege and subsequent pursuit of Confederate forces. It then joined Buell’s army, marching through Tennessee and Kentucky, and reached Louisville in late September 1862. At the Battle of Perryville on October 8, 1862, the regiment suffered severe losses, including the death of Lieutenant Colonel Squire I. Keith.

Subsequently, the 22nd Indiana was engaged in skirmishes near Lancaster, Kentucky, and Nolensville, Tennessee, before fighting at the Battle of Stone’s River. The regiment remained at Murfreesboro through the winter and spring, later participating in the Tullahoma Campaign and the advance toward Chattanooga, including a skirmish at Liberty Gap in June 1863. It took part in the assault on Missionary Ridge and camped at Blain’s Crossroads, Tennessee. On December 23, 1863, enough men reenlisted to retain the regiment’s organization, and they were granted a veteran furlough.

In 1864, the 22nd Indiana joined the Atlanta Campaign, fighting at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, and in operations around Atlanta, Red Oak, and Jonesboro. The regiment also participated in the advance upon and siege of Savannah, Georgia. In 1865, it was engaged at Averasboro and Bentonville during the Carolinas Campaign. Following the surrender of Johnston’s army, the regiment marched to Washington, D.C., and was mustered out on July 24, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Relief expedition to Lexington, Missouri (September 1861)
• Capture of Blackwater (December 1861)
• Expedition against Price (January 1862)
• Battle of Pea Ridge (March 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Pursuit after Corinth evacuation (May 1862)
• Buell’s march through Tennessee and Kentucky (Summer–Fall 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
• Skirmish near Lancaster, Kentucky (October 1862)
• Skirmish at Nolensville, Tennessee (November 1862)
• Battle of Stone’s River (December 31, 1862–January 2, 1863)
• Skirmish at Liberty Gap (June 1863)
• Assault on Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Red Oak, Jonesboro
• Siege of Savannah (December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (Spring 1865): Averasboro, Bentonville

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 1,056. During its service, it gained 956 recruits, 332 reenlistments, and 374 unassigned recruits, totaling 2,718 men. At Perryville, the regiment lost approximately half its number, with 56 killed. At Stone’s River, it lost 78 killed, wounded, and missing. Detailed breakdowns of total killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jefferson C. Davis
• Colonel Michael Gooding
• Colonel William M. Miles
• Colonel Thomas Shea
• Lieutenant Colonel John A. Hendricks
• Lieutenant Colonel David W. Dailey
• Lieutenant Colonel Squire I. Keith
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Tanner
• Lieutenant Colonel William M. Miles
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Shea
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Snodgrass
• Major Gordon Tanner
• Major David W. Dailey
• Major Michael Gooding
• Major Squire I. Keith
• Major Charles L. Holstein
• Major Thomas Shea
• Major William A. Adams
• Major William H. Snodgrass
• Major Richard H. Litson

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 22nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the full roster, visit the 22nd Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Western Theater operations, 1861–1865)
• 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