47th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 47th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Anderson, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into federal service on December 13, 1861. The unit participated in operations across the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters, including key campaigns in Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

The 47th Indiana Infantry was notable for its early entry into Fort Thompson at New Madrid, its heavy losses at Champion’s Hill, and its involvement in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. The regiment reenlisted as veterans in early 1864 and continued to serve until the end of the war, mustering out in October 1865.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized at Anderson, Indiana, and mustered in on December 13, 1861. It departed Indiana the same day for Bardstown, Kentucky, where it was assigned to General Wood’s brigade in Buell’s army. The regiment moved to Camp Wickliffe by December 31, 1861, and then to West Point, Kentucky, on February 14, 1862. From there, it took transports to Commerce, Missouri.

In March 1862, the 47th Indiana participated in the operations against New Madrid, Missouri, and was the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson. It was engaged at Riddle’s Point and then moved to Tiptonville, Tennessee. The regiment was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, in July 1862 and took part in a skirmish at Brown’s Plantation in August. It then moved to Helena, Arkansas, where it remained until March 1863.

In March 1863, the regiment joined the Yazoo Pass Expedition and subsequently moved to the rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi, participating in the battles and skirmishes of that campaign. At the Battle of Champion’s Hill, the regiment suffered significant casualties. The 47th Indiana was engaged in the trenches before Vicksburg until the city’s surrender on July 4, 1863, and later fought at Jackson, Mississippi.

In August 1863, the regiment moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then to Berwick Bay. During the Teche Expedition, it was engaged at Grand Coteau and then moved to New Iberia, Louisiana, where it reenlisted as a veteran regiment and visited home in February 1864. In the spring of 1864, the 47th Indiana participated in the Red River Expedition and fought at Atchafalaya Bayou in July. The regiment was stationed at Morganza, Louisiana, for much of the fall of 1864.

Colonel James R. Slack was appointed brigadier general on December 31, 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel John A. McLaughlin was promoted to colonel. In February 1865, the regiment was transported to Dauphin Island near Mobile, Alabama, and took part in the siege of Mobile. After the city’s fall, the regiment moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where it was present for the surrender of Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The 47th Indiana Infantry was mustered out at Shreveport on October 23, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• New Madrid, Missouri (March 1862)
• Riddle’s Point
• Tiptonville, Tennessee
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Brown’s Plantation (August 1862)
• Helena, Arkansas
• Yazoo Pass Expedition (March 1863)
• Vicksburg Campaign (including Champion’s Hill and siege of Vicksburg)
• Jackson, Mississippi
• Berwick Bay, Louisiana
• Teche Expedition (including Grand Coteau)
• Red River Expedition (spring 1864)
• Atchafalaya Bayou (July 1864)
• Siege of Mobile, Alabama (spring 1865)
• Shreveport, Louisiana (surrender of Trans-Mississippi Department)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 977. Gains by recruits numbered 362, and reenlistments totaled 409, for a total enrollment of 1,748. The regiment lost 312 men by death, 62 by desertion, and 20 were unaccounted for. Specific breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James R. Slack
• Colonel John A. McLaughlin
• Lieutenant Colonel Milton S. Robinson
• Lieutenant Colonel John A. McLaughlin
• Lieutenant Colonel Sextus A. Shearer
• Major Samuel S. Mickle
• Major John A. McLaughlin
• Major Lewis H. Goodwin
• Major Sextus A. Shearer
• Major William H. Vance

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 47th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for those who served in the unit.

To view the full roster, visit the 47th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 8, 17, 24, 26, 34, 41
• 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