36th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 36th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Richmond, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into service on September 16, 1861. It participated in major campaigns in the Western Theater, including significant battles such as Shiloh, Stones River, Chickamauga, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment was noted for its active service and sustained heavy losses in several engagements.

Organization & Service

The 36th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Richmond, Indiana, and mustered in on September 16, 1861. Shortly after mustering, the regiment left Indiana and went into camp until late February 1862. It then marched to Nashville, Tennessee, with the Army of the Ohio. In March 1862, the regiment moved to the Tennessee River and participated in the Battle of Shiloh, suffering casualties. Following Shiloh, the regiment remained in camp before joining the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, until its evacuation.

After Corinth, the 36th Indiana moved into northern Alabama and then to Nashville. It took part in the pursuit of Confederate forces under Bragg through Kentucky, then returned to Nashville and subsequently moved with General Rosecrans to Murfreesboro. The regiment fought at the Battle of Stones River, incurring significant losses, and remained in camp at Murfreesboro until May 1863. It then marched with Palmer’s division toward Chattanooga and was engaged at the Battle of Chickamauga, again suffering heavy casualties.

Following Chickamauga, the regiment was stationed at Chattanooga, Whitside, and Tyner’s Station until March 1864. In February 1864, part of the regiment reenlisted and was granted furlough to Indiana. The regiment participated in the Atlanta Campaign, engaging in numerous skirmishes and battles. Non-veterans were mustered out in August 1864, while veterans and recruits formed a battalion under Captain John Swisher. This battalion joined the 4th Corps in the pursuit of Hood into northern Alabama, then moved to Nashville, where it fought in the December 1864 battle and participated in the pursuit to Huntsville and Chattanooga.

In June 1865, the battalion was sent to New Orleans and consolidated with the 30th Indiana Infantry, forming Company H of that battalion. The unit was stationed in Texas until it was mustered out on November 25, 1865. Colonel William Grose was promoted to brigadier-general in August 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. P. Carey was commissioned as colonel.

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

  • Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
  • Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
  • Pursuit of Bragg through Kentucky (September–October 1862)
  • Battle of Stones River (December 1862–January 1863)
  • Battle of Chickamauga (September 1863)
  • Chattanooga and related operations (late 1863–early 1864)
  • Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
  • Pursuit of Hood into northern Alabama (late 1864)
  • Battle of Nashville (December 1864)
  • Pursuit to Huntsville and Chattanooga (December 1864–early 1865)
  • Postwar service in Texas (mid–late 1865)

Casualties

  • Original strength: 1,023
  • Gains by recruits: 133
  • Reenlistments: 21
  • Total enrolled: 1,177
  • Loss by death: 234
  • Desertions: 43
  • Unaccounted for: 12
  • Battle of Shiloh: 9 killed, 38 wounded
  • Battle of Stones River: 24 killed, 90 wounded, 18 missing
  • Battle of Chickamauga: 14 killed, 110 wounded, 13 missing

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William Grose
  • Colonel Oliver H. P. Carey
  • Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. P. Carey
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Sim
  • Major Thomas W. Bennett
  • Major Isaac Kinley
  • Major Gilbert Trusler
  • Major John Sim
  • Major Lewis C. Freeman
  • Captain John Swisher (commanded battalion, 1864–1865)

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 36th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 36th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 38, 45
  • 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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