49th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 49th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Jeffersonville, Indiana, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on November 21, 1861. The 49th Indiana participated in operations across the Western Theater, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and was attached to various brigades and divisions throughout its service. The regiment is noted for its extensive campaigning, including participation in the Vicksburg Campaign and the Red River Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 49th Indiana Infantry was organized at Jeffersonville and mustered in on November 21, 1861. The regiment left Indiana for Bardstown, Kentucky, on December 11, 1861, and then moved to Cumberland Ford in January 1862, where it remained until June, suffering significant losses from disease. During this period, the regiment engaged in skirmishes at Big Tree Gap and Cumberland Gap in March 1862. In June, the 49th Indiana joined General Morgan’s forces and occupied Cumberland Gap on June 18, 1862, after the Confederate withdrawal.

The regiment remained at Cumberland Gap until September 1862, then participated in the retreat to the Ohio River, reaching Greenupsburg, Kentucky, in early October. It subsequently moved to Coal Mouth, West Virginia, and in November was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, where it joined Sherman’s army for the Vicksburg expedition. The 49th Indiana fought at Chickasaw Bluffs, suffering 56 casualties, and took part in the expedition against Arkansas Post in January 1863.

Following Arkansas Post, the regiment assisted in digging a canal at Young’s Point and then moved to the rear of Vicksburg, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, and Black River Bridge. The 49th Indiana was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg until its surrender, including the assault on May 22, 1863. In July, the regiment took part in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, and was ordered to New Orleans in August, where it was assigned to the Department of the Gulf.

The regiment moved to Berwick’s Bay and participated in the Teche expedition, advancing as far as Opelousas, Louisiana. Upon returning to New Orleans, the regiment was ordered to Texas, arriving at Matagorda Peninsula on December 14, 1863, and later moving to Indianola. On February 3, 1864, 171 men reenlisted as veterans. The regiment embarked from Matagorda Island on April 19, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana, where it reinforced Banks’ army and was engaged in continuous skirmishing until the retreat to the Mississippi River in May.

After returning to New Orleans, the regiment was furloughed home in July 1864. Upon expiration of furlough, it was ordered to Lexington, Kentucky, where it remained until September 7, 1865. The 49th Indiana then proceeded to Louisville and was mustered out of service on September 13, 1865. Over its service, the regiment marched approximately 8,000 miles.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Skirmishes at Big Tree Gap and Cumberland Gap (March 1862)
• Occupation of Cumberland Gap (June 1862)
• Retreat to the Ohio River (September–October 1862)
• Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs (December 1862)
• Expedition against Arkansas Post (January 1863)
• Canal operations at Young’s Point
• Battle of Port Gibson (May 1863)
• Battle of Champion’s Hill (May 1863)
• Battle of Black River Bridge (May 1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg, including assault of May 22 (May–July 1863)
• Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Teche Expedition (October–November 1863)
• Operations in Texas (December 1863–April 1864)
• Red River Campaign, including skirmishes near Alexandria (April–May 1864)

Casualties

The 49th Indiana Infantry’s original strength was 974. During its service, it gained 294 recruits and 177 reenlistments, for a total of 1,445 men. The regiment lost 238 men by death, 94 by desertion, and 42 were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. Ray
• Colonel James Keigwin
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph H. Thornton
• Lieutenant Colonel Arthur J. Hawhe
• Lieutenant Colonel James Leeper
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. Gardner
• Major Joseph H. Thornton
• Major Arthur J. Hawhe
• Major James Leeper
• Major John R. Hamacher

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 49th 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 valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 49th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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