69th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 69th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Richmond, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on August 19, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in numerous major campaigns and engagements throughout the war. The unit is noted for its early capture at Richmond, Kentucky, and for its extensive service in the Vicksburg and Gulf campaigns.

The regiment served with distinction in several key operations, including the Vicksburg Campaign, the Red River Campaign, and the Mobile Campaign. Its service extended from Kentucky and Mississippi to Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Alabama, reflecting the broad scope of its assignments during the Civil War.

Organization & Service

The 69th Indiana Infantry was organized at Richmond, Indiana, and mustered in on August 19, 1862. The regiment departed Indiana the next day for Richmond, Kentucky, where it was engaged in battle on August 30, 1862. During this engagement, the regiment suffered heavy losses—218 killed and wounded—and was captured almost in its entirety by Confederate forces under Kirby Smith. The men were paroled and subsequently exchanged in November 1862.

After exchange, the regiment left for Memphis, Tennessee, on November 27, 1862. It was assigned to Sheldon’s Brigade, Morgan’s Division, and participated in the Vicksburg expedition in December, including the assault at Chickasaw Bluffs. In January 1863, the regiment fought at Arkansas Post and, following the capture of that position, moved to Young’s Point, Louisiana, where it lost over 100 men to disease.

In late February 1863, the regiment relocated to Milliken’s Bend and, on March 30, led the advance of Grant’s army against Vicksburg. The 69th Indiana was involved in actions at Roundaway Bayou and contributed to the construction of a significant military road across the Louisiana Peninsula. The regiment fought at Port Gibson, suffering 71 casualties, and was engaged at Champion’s Hill and Black River Bridge. It participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the assault of May 22, and was stationed at Black River Bridge to contain Confederate forces under Johnston until Vicksburg’s surrender.

Following the Vicksburg Campaign, the regiment took part in the advance on Jackson, Mississippi, and the subsequent siege. In August 1863, it was sent to Port Hudson, Louisiana, and later joined the Teche expedition under General Franklin. In November, the regiment moved to Texas, landing at Matagorda Bay, and later operated from Indianola and Matagorda Island. Returning to Louisiana in April 1864, the 69th joined Banks’ retreating army near Alexandria, participated in the action there, and supported the rear during the retreat.

The regiment remained at Morganza, Louisiana, until December 1864, engaging in several minor expeditions. It then moved to Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, and joined the Pascagoula expedition. On January 23, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies under Lieutenant Colonel Oran Perry. The unit moved to Barrancas, Florida, then to Pensacola, and participated in General Steele’s campaign through Florida and southern Alabama. The 69th Indiana was engaged in the assault on Fort Blakely and subsequently guarded prisoners to Ship Island. The regiment moved to Selma, Alabama, remaining there until May 3, before returning to Mobile, where it was mustered out on July 5, 1865.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Battle of Richmond, Kentucky (August 30, 1862)
  • Chickasaw Bluffs (December 1862)
  • Arkansas Post (January 1863)
  • Vicksburg Campaign, including:
    • Roundaway Bayou
    • Port Gibson
    • Champion’s Hill
    • Black River Bridge
    • Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
    • Assault on Vicksburg (May 22, 1863)
  • Advance and Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
  • Port Hudson (August 1863)
  • Teche Expedition (Fall 1863)
  • Matagorda Bay and Indianola, Texas (Winter 1863–64)
  • Red River Campaign (Spring 1864)
  • Pascagoula Expedition (December 1864)
  • Campaign against Mobile, Alabama, including:
    • Assault on Fort Blakely (April 1865)

Casualties

  • Original strength: 1,002
  • Gained by recruits: 98
  • Total enrollment: 1,100
  • Killed and wounded at Richmond, KY: 218
  • Killed and wounded at Port Gibson: 71
  • Died of disease at Young’s Point: over 100

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William A. Bickle
  • Colonel Thomas W. Bennett
  • Lieutenant Colonel Job Stout
  • Lieutenant Colonel Oran Perry
  • Major Thomas S. Walterhouse
  • Major John H. Finley
  • Major George H. Bonebrake

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 69th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the full roster, visit the 69th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

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