65th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 65th Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Princeton, Indiana, in the summer of 1862, the regiment was mustered into Federal service in August and September of that year. The 65th Indiana served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in operations across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The regiment is noted for its early mounted service and active involvement in several major campaigns, including the Atlanta Campaign and the pursuit of Confederate forces under General Hood.

Organization & Service

The 65th Indiana Infantry began organizing at Princeton, Indiana, in the summer of 1862. Nine companies were mustered in on August 18 and 20, 1862, and immediately moved to Henderson, Kentucky, to defend against guerrilla activity. The regiment advanced to Ashbysburg, Kentucky, where it engaged Adam Johnson’s Confederate regiment and subsequently occupied Madisonville. Company K joined the regiment after being mustered in on September 10, 1862. During the following year, the companies were stationed at various points in Kentucky, west of the Nashville railroad, performing guard and patrol duties until August 18, 1863, when the regiment regrouped at Glasgow, Kentucky.

In April 1863, the 65th Indiana was mounted and attached to Graham’s cavalry brigade. The regiment participated in several skirmishes, including actions near Vanderburg (Company D) and at Dixon (Company E). The brigade was the first Union force to enter Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 1, 1863. The regiment advanced up the valley, seized a captured train, and later captured another train and two locomotives. The 65th Indiana was engaged near Zollicoffer, fought a severe action at Blountsville, and participated in engagements at Rheatown, Bristol, and Waker’s Ford. Company K notably attacked a Confederate regiment at Mulberry Gap, driving it from its position. The regiment fought at Bean’s Station, Powder Spring Gap, Skaggs’s Mill, and Dandridge in January 1864.

In April 1864, the regiment was dismounted and assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps. It joined Sherman’s army for the Atlanta Campaign, participating in all major battles and skirmishes from Resaca onward. The 65th Indiana joined the pursuit of Hood’s forces into Alabama and Tennessee, fighting at Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville, and continued the pursuit to the Tennessee River. In January 1865, the regiment was transferred to Alexandria, Virginia, and then moved to the vicinity of Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, North Carolina. The 65th Indiana played a significant role in the attack on Fort Anderson and the skirmish at Town Creek. The regiment moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, where it was mustered out on June 22, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Operations in Kentucky (1862–1863), including actions at Ashbysburg and Madisonville
• Skirmishes near Vanderburg and at Dixon
• Occupation of Knoxville, Tennessee (September 1863)
• Engagements near Zollicoffer, Blountsville, Rheatown, Bristol, Waker’s Ford, and Mulberry Gap
• Battle of Bean’s Station
• Powder Spring Gap and Skaggs’s Mill
• Battle of Dandridge (January 17, 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including Resaca and subsequent actions
• Pursuit of Hood into Alabama and Tennessee
• Battles of Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville
• Operations near Fort Fisher and Wilmington, North Carolina (1865)
• Attack on Fort Anderson and skirmish at Town Creek

Casualties

The original strength of the 65th Indiana Infantry was 942 men, with an additional 228 recruits, totaling 1,170. The regiment lost 236 men by death. There were 59 desertions and 8 men unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. Foster
• Colonel Thomas Johnson
• Colonel John W. Hammond
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Johnson
• Lieutenant Colonel Walter G. Hodge
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Hammond
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward A. Baker
• Major Thomas G. Brown
• Major Edward A. Baker
• Major Saunders R. Hornbrook

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 65th Indiana Infantry is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 65th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts covering operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina
• 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