59th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 59th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Gosport, Indiana, during the fall and winter of 1861. It was mustered into Federal service on February 11, 1862, and served throughout the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The regiment was notable for its early participation in the Army of the Mississippi and for its involvement in major campaigns including the sieges of New Madrid, Corinth, and Vicksburg, as well as the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea.

The 59th Indiana Infantry was mustered out of service at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 17, 1865, after participating in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. The regiment’s service spanned over three years, and it reenlisted as a veteran organization in January 1864.

Organization & Service

The 59th Indiana Infantry was organized at Gosport, Indiana, and mustered in on February 11, 1862. The regiment left Indiana on February 18, 1862, proceeding to Commerce, Missouri, where it became the first regiment to report to General Pope for duty with the Army of the Mississippi. It moved to Benton and then to New Madrid, participating in the siege and being among the first to enter the town and take possession of Fort Thompson. The regiment then marched to Tiptonville, assisting in the capture of over 5,000 Confederate prisoners.

In April 1862, the regiment embarked for Fort Pillow, returned briefly, and then proceeded to Hamburg, Tennessee. Assigned to General Buford’s brigade, the 59th Indiana was engaged in the advance on and siege of Corinth from April 24 to May 29, 1862, and joined in the pursuit to Booneville, Mississippi. After returning to Clear Creek near Corinth in June, the regiment moved to Jacinto in August and then to Rienzi in September, where it received 250 recruits.

The regiment fought at the Battle of Corinth in October 1862 and pursued Confederate forces to the Hatchie River. It subsequently moved through Grand Junction, Davis’ Mills, Moscow, Oxford, and Lumpkins’ Mill. In December, the regiment escorted a commissary train to Memphis, returned to LaFayette, and went into camp at Memphis until March 1863.

In March 1863, the 59th Indiana moved to Helena, Arkansas, and joined the Yazoo River expedition. It marched toward Vicksburg, arriving at Port Gibson after the battle. As part of the 1st Brigade, 7th Division, 17th Army Corps, it was engaged at Forty Hills, Raymond, and Champion’s Hill. The regiment’s skirmishers were the first to enter Jackson, Mississippi, and its flag was the first to fly over the capitol dome. It served as rear guard at the Big Black River, destroying bridges after crossing, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, including the assault of May 22, suffering heavy losses.

After the fall of Vicksburg, the regiment remained there until August 1863, then moved to Helena, Arkansas, and subsequently to Memphis and Glendale. In late 1863, it marched to Chattanooga and fought at Missionary Ridge. The regiment was transferred to the 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, and camped at Bridgeport, Alabama, and later at Huntsville. On January 1, 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and went on furlough to Indiana in March. Returning to Huntsville in April, it remained until June before joining Sherman’s army at Kingston, Georgia, in July 1864.

The 59th Indiana guarded the Etowah River bridge, participated in operations around Chattanooga, and pursued Wheeler’s cavalry. It escorted wagon trains and returned to the Etowah River before proceeding to Atlanta and joining the March to the Sea. The regiment continued through the Carolinas to Raleigh and then to Washington, D.C., for the Grand Review. It was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 17, 1865. During its service, the regiment traveled extensively by rail, water, and on foot, and saw significant action in multiple campaigns.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of New Madrid (March 1862)
• Capture of Tiptonville (April 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Pursuit to Booneville (May–June 1862)
• Battle of Corinth (October 1862)
• Pursuit to Hatchie River (October 1862)
• Yazoo River Expedition (March 1863)
• Port Gibson (May 1863)
• Forty Hills (May 1863)
• Raymond (May 1863)
• Champion’s Hill (May 1863)
• Siege of Jackson (July 1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863), including assault of May 22
• Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (1865)
• Grand Review, Washington, D.C. (May 1865)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 721. During its service, the 59th Indiana Infantry gained 1,195 recruits and 240 reenlistments, for a total of 2,156 men. The regiment lost 221 men by death, 32 by desertion, and 158 were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jesse I. Alexander
• Colonel Jefferson K. Scott
• Colonel Thomas A. McNaught
• Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson K. Scott
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas A. McNaught
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. McBride
• Major Elijah Sabin
• Major Thomas A. McNaught
• Major Edward J. McBride
• Major John E. Simpson

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 59th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details when known.

To view the full regimental roster, visit the 59th Indiana Infantry Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 8, 17, 24, 32, 39, 47 (reports and correspondence relating to the 59th Indiana Infantry)
• 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