46th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 46th Indiana Infantry (Union) was organized at Logansport, Indiana, as an infantry regiment and mustered into Federal service on December 11, 1861. Serving in the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters, the regiment was active in numerous campaigns and engagements throughout the war, including operations in Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kentucky. The 46th Indiana was notable for its early involvement in river operations and its participation in major campaigns such as Vicksburg and the Red River Expedition.

Organization & Service

The 46th Indiana Infantry was organized at Logansport, Indiana, in September 1861 and mustered in on December 11, 1861. The regiment left Indiana immediately after muster, proceeding to Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky, and then marching to Paducah in February 1862. Shortly thereafter, it joined Pope’s army in Missouri and participated in the attack on New Madrid in March 1862. The regiment established a battery at Riddle’s Point and withstood an attack by Confederate gunboats.

In April 1862, the regiment moved toward Fort Pillow, remaining near Osceola for several weeks before occupying Fort Pillow and Memphis in June. The 46th Indiana then participated in operations up the White River, including the charge at St. Charles, Arkansas, and actions at Crockett’s Bluff and Helena. Assigned to General Hovey’s division, the regiment took part in expeditions to Clarendon, Arkansas Post, and operations along the Tallahatchie and Cold Water Rivers.

In early 1863, the regiment was involved in the capture of Devall’s Bluff and the Yazoo Pass Expedition, including action at Fort Pemberton. It then moved with McGinnis’ brigade, 13th Army Corps, to participate in the Vicksburg Campaign, fighting at Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill (where it suffered significant losses), and enduring 44 days in the trenches at Vicksburg. The regiment also participated in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, in July 1863.

After moving to New Orleans in August 1863, the 46th Indiana was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and took part in the Teche Expedition and the engagement at Grand Coteau. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization on January 2, 1864. It joined the Red River Expedition in March 1864, fighting at Mansfield (where it suffered heavy casualties and many were captured), Pleasant Hill, and Alexandria. After returning to New Orleans and receiving furlough, the regiment was sent to Kentucky, participating in the expedition to Saltville and garrisoning various posts. The 46th Indiana remained on duty in Kentucky until mustering out at Louisville on September 4, 1865.

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

  • New Madrid, Missouri (March 1862)
  • Riddle’s Point (March 1862)
  • Fort Pillow, Tennessee (June 1862)
  • Memphis, Tennessee (June 1862)
  • St. Charles, Arkansas (June 1862)
  • Crockett’s Bluff, Arkansas
  • Helena, Arkansas
  • Clarendon, Arkansas
  • Arkansas Post
  • Tallahatchie and Cold Water Rivers
  • Devall’s Bluff, Arkansas (January 1863)
  • Yazoo Pass Expedition (February–March 1863)
  • Fort Pemberton
  • Port Gibson, Mississippi (May 1863)
  • Champion’s Hill, Mississippi (May 1863)
  • Vicksburg, Mississippi (May–July 1863)
  • Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
  • Teche Expedition, Louisiana
  • Grand Coteau, Louisiana
  • Red River Expedition (March–May 1864)
  • Mansfield, Louisiana (April 1864)
  • Pleasant Hill, Louisiana (April 1864)
  • Alexandria, Louisiana (April–May 1864)
  • Expedition to Saltville, Kentucky
  • Garrison duty at Prestonburg, Catlettsburg, and Lexington, Kentucky

Casualties

  • Original strength: 969
  • Gained by recruits: 205
  • Reenlistments: 286
  • Total enrollment: 1,460
  • Loss by death: 251
  • Desertions: 22
  • Unaccounted for: 56

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

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Graham N. Fitch
  • Colonel Thomas H. Bringhurst
  • Lieutenant Colonel Newton G. Scott
  • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Bringhurst
  • Lieutenant Colonel John H. Gould
  • Lieutenant Colonel Aaron M. Flory
  • Major Thomas H. Bringhurst
  • Major John H. Gould
  • Major Aaron M. Flory
  • Major Bernard F. Schermerhorn
  • Major William M. De Hart

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 46th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term of service, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details when known.

To view the complete roster, visit the 46th Indiana Infantry Regimental 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. 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.
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