57th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 57th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Richmond, Indiana, in November 1861. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment was primarily active in the Western Theater throughout the Civil War. The unit was recruited from the 5th and 11th Congressional districts of Indiana and mustered in on November 18, 1861. The 57th Indiana participated in many significant campaigns and battles, including Shiloh, Perryville, Stone’s River, Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, Franklin, and Nashville.

The regiment was known for its gallantry, particularly at Stone’s River and during the Atlanta Campaign. It reenlisted as a veteran organization in January 1864 and continued service until December 1865, making it one of the longer-serving Indiana regiments.

Organization & Service

The 57th Indiana Infantry was organized at Richmond, Indiana, in November 1861 and mustered into Federal service on November 18, 1861. The regiment left Indiana on December 23, 1861, reporting to General Don Carlos Buell at Louisville, Kentucky. It was assigned to the 6th Division, Army of the Ohio, and ordered to Bardstown, Kentucky, then moved to Lebanon, and on February 12, 1862, to Munfordville and Nashville, Tennessee.

In March 1862, the regiment moved toward Pittsburg Landing and was actively engaged in the Battle of Shiloh. Following Shiloh, it participated in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and then moved to northern Alabama, remaining there until July. The regiment was then ordered to Tennessee, serving near Tullahoma and McMinnville until September 1862. It took part in the Kentucky campaign against Bragg, fighting at Perryville.

During December 1862, the regiment was stationed at Nashville, guarding forage trains and engaging in frequent skirmishes. At the Battle of Stone’s River, the 57th Indiana was attached to the left wing of the army and distinguished itself in resisting Confederate attacks, suffering significant casualties. The regiment remained in camp near Murfreesboro through the winter and spring of 1863, participated in Reynolds’ “eleven days’ scout” in April, and joined the Tullahoma Campaign.

After camping near Pelham, Tennessee, until August 16, 1863, the regiment joined the campaign toward Chattanooga, operating on the north side of the Tennessee River. Its brigade took possession of Chattanooga after the Battle of Chickamauga, and the regiment was placed on provost guard duty. The 57th Indiana fought at Missionary Ridge and was then assigned to the 2nd Division (Sheridan’s), 4th Corps, which was sent to relieve Burnside at Knoxville.

The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization on January 1, 1864, and was furloughed home in March. It rejoined the 4th Corps on May 5, 1864, and participated in the Atlanta Campaign, including engagements at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca (where Colonel Lennard was mortally wounded), Adairsville, Allatoona, New Hope Church, and the skirmishes around Kennesaw Mountain. The regiment formed the skirmish line in front of the assaulting column at Kennesaw on June 27 and was also on the skirmish line at Peachtree Creek. The 57th Indiana remained in the trenches before Atlanta until August 25 and fought at Jonesboro.

After the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment moved to Chattanooga, participated in operations against Hood in Alabama, and joined General Thomas’s army in resisting the Confederate invasion of Tennessee. The regiment fought at Franklin, suffering heavy losses, especially in prisoners, and was engaged at Nashville. Following the pursuit of Hood to Huntsville, Alabama, the regiment remained there until spring 1865, then moved into Tennessee and, in July, was transferred to Texas, stationed at Port Lavaca. The 57th Indiana Infantry was mustered out of service on December 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Shiloh
• Siege of Corinth
• Kentucky Campaign (including Battle of Perryville)
• Battle of Stone’s River
• Tullahoma Campaign
• Chickamauga Campaign
• Battle of Missionary Ridge
• Relief of Knoxville
• Atlanta Campaign (Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Allatoona, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro)
• Operations against Hood in Alabama
• Battle of Franklin
• Battle of Nashville
• Pursuit of Hood to Huntsville, Alabama
• Postwar duty in Tennessee and Texas

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 973. Gains by recruits totaled 464, and reenlistments numbered 215, for a total enrollment of 1,652. Detailed casualty figures for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available primary sources. At the Battle of Stone’s River alone, the regiment lost 75 in killed and wounded. The regiment also suffered heavy losses at New Hope Church and Franklin, especially in prisoners.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. T. McMullen
• Colonel Cyrus C. Hines
• Colonel George W. Lennard
• Colonel Willis Blanch
• Colonel John S. McGraw
• Lieutenant Colonel Franklin A. Hardin
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Lennard
• Lieutenant Colonel Willis Blanch
• Lieutenant Colonel John S. McGraw
• Lieutenant Colonel Timothy H. Leeds
• Major John W. Jordan
• Major Willis Blanch
• Major John S. McGraw
• Major Joseph S. Stidham
• Major Addison M. Dunn
• Major Timothy H. Leeds
• Major John S. Summers

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 57th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 57th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 20, 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, Volume 3