60th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 60th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized primarily at Evansville beginning in November 1861, the regiment was mustered in by detachments through March 1862. The unit served in the Western Theater, participating in several major campaigns and battles, and was mustered out in March 1865.

The regiment is noted for its involvement in the defense of Munfordville, the Vicksburg Campaign, and the Red River Expedition. It was attached to various commands throughout its service, including the Army of the Mississippi and the 13th Army Corps.

Organization & Service

The 60th Indiana Infantry began organizing at Evansville, Indiana, in November 1861. While recruiting was ongoing, the regiment was ordered to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, to guard Confederate prisoners. The final companies joined in March 1862, and the regiment was mustered in by detachments.

On June 20, 1862, the regiment left Indiana for Louisville, Kentucky, then moved to Lebanon and Munfordville. In September 1862, Munfordville was surrounded by Confederate forces under General Bragg. After a determined defense, the garrison, including seven companies of the 60th Indiana, was captured. The remaining companies, detached for bridge guard duty near Lebanon Junction, escaped capture. The captured companies were paroled and rejoined the regiment at Indianapolis, where they awaited exchange. The regiment was exchanged in November 1862 and joined the Army of the Mississippi.

The 60th Indiana participated in the assault on Arkansas Post in January 1863. It then joined the Vicksburg Campaign as part of the 1st Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps, taking part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, Black River, and the siege of Vicksburg. Following the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment was engaged in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, and several minor actions.

Later, the regiment was assigned to General Banks’ army for the Teche Expedition and fought at Grand Coteau. After returning to New Orleans, the 60th Indiana was sent to Texas, stationed at Pass Cavallo, and subsequently returned to New Orleans to participate in the Red River Expedition. The regiment reached Alexandria, Louisiana, in March 1864 and was engaged at Cane River and Sabine Cross Roads, suffering significant losses at the latter. After the defeat at Sabine Cross Roads and the subsequent Union victory at Pleasant Hill, the regiment returned to Vicksburg.

The 60th Indiana reenlisted as a veteran regiment, but its remuster was not accepted by the War Department. The regiment was then stationed at Thibodeaux, Louisiana, until the fall of 1864, and later at Algiers, near New Orleans, until February 24, 1865. It was mustered out at Indianapolis on March 21, 1865. Remaining recruits with unexpired terms were transferred to the 26th Indiana Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense and surrender of Munfordville, Kentucky (September 1862)
• Battle of Arkansas Post (January 1863)
• Vicksburg Campaign, including Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, Black River, and siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
• Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Teche Expedition and engagement at Grand Coteau (1863)
• Red River Expedition, including Cane River and Sabine Cross Roads (April 1864)
• Engagement at Carrion Crow Bayou

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 945. It gained 151 recruits, for a total of 1,096 men. Loss by death was 203; desertion, 87; unaccounted for, 29. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Richard Owen
• Colonel Augustus Goelzer
• Lieutenant Colonel William J. Templeton
• Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Goelzer
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker
• Major William J. Templeton
• Major Joseph B. Cox
• Major Wolfgang Hyne
• Major Jesse Nash
• Major Samuel T. Walker
• Major Theodore Pleisch

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 60th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 60th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XVI, XXIV, XXXIV, XXXVIII
• 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