34th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 34th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Anderson, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on September 16, 1861. Serving throughout the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters, the regiment participated in numerous campaigns and engagements, including the final battle of the Civil War at Palmito Ranch, Texas. The 34th Indiana remained in service until February 3, 1866, making it one of the longest-serving Indiana regiments.

The regiment was notable for its involvement in the capture of Island No. 10, the Vicksburg Campaign, and its service along the Gulf Coast and in Texas. Its members reenlisted in significant numbers, and the unit was among the first Union troops to reoccupy Ringgold Barracks on the Rio Grande after the war.

Organization & Service

The 34th Indiana Infantry was recruited at Anderson, Indiana, and mustered in on September 16, 1861. After initial encampment at Jeffersonville, the regiment moved to New Haven, Kentucky, in November 1861, and then to Camp Wickliffe in December. In February 1862, the regiment advanced to the Green River and then to the Ohio River, embarking for Cairo, Illinois, and marching to New Madrid, Missouri.

The regiment participated in the siege of New Madrid and played a key role in the operations leading to the capture of Island No. 10, including manning siege guns at St. Meriweather’s Landing and repelling a Confederate gunboat attack. The 34th garrisoned New Madrid until June 1862, aided in the capture of Fort Pillow, and then moved to Memphis. It joined Colonel Fitch’s command for the White River campaign, engaging at Aberdeen and Devall’s Bluff, and spent the fall and winter of 1862–63 at Helena, Arkansas, participating in expeditions and clearing the Yazoo Pass.

Assigned to Hovey’s Division, XIII Corps, the regiment took part in the Vicksburg Campaign, including the battles of Port Gibson and Champion’s Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg. It subsequently fought at Jackson, Mississippi, before being ordered to New Orleans in August 1863. The regiment participated in the Teche expedition, engaged at Carrion Crow Bayou, and remained at New Iberia until December 1863. On December 15, 1863, 460 men reenlisted, and the regiment moved to Pass Cavallo, Texas, in January 1864. After a period of duty there, the regiment returned to New Orleans and was furloughed home in March 1864.

Upon return, the 34th Indiana was stationed at New Orleans until December 1864, then moved to Brazos Santiago, Texas. On May 13, 1865, the regiment fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas, recognized as the last battle of the Civil War. Afterward, the regiment marched to Ringgold Barracks, becoming the first Union troops to reoccupy the post, and remained in Texas until mustered out on February 3, 1866.

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

  • Siege of New Madrid (March 1862)
  • Operations against Island No. 10 (March–April 1862)
  • Capture of Fort Pillow (June 1862)
  • White River Campaign (1862)
  • Expeditions from Helena, Arkansas (1862–1863)
  • Vicksburg Campaign, including Port Gibson (May 1, 1863), Champion’s Hill (May 16, 1863), and the Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
  • Battle of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
  • Teche Campaign (October–November 1863)
  • Engagement at Carrion Crow Bayou (November 1863)
  • Operations at Pass Cavallo, Texas (January–February 1864)
  • Battle of Palmito Ranch, Texas (May 13, 1865)

Casualties

The 34th Indiana Infantry had an original strength of 1,011 men, with a total enrollment of 1,806 including recruits and reenlistments. The regiment lost 236 men by death, including those killed in action and those who died of disease. There were 44 desertions and 15 men unaccounted for. Specific breakdowns between battle and disease losses are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Asbury Steele
  • Colonel Townsend Ryan
  • Colonel Robert A. Cameron
  • Colonel Robert B. Jones
  • Colonel Robert G. Morrison
  • Lieutenant Colonel Townsend Ryan
  • Lieutenant Colonel William Swain
  • Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Jones
  • Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Morrison
  • Lieutenant Colonel Nimrod Headington
  • Major John L. Wilson
  • Major William Swain
  • Major Robert B. Jones
  • Major Robert G. Morrison
  • Major Nimrod Headington
  • Major Harrison L. Dean

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 34th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 34th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see operations in the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters, 1861–1866)
  • 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
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