75th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 75th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Wabash, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on August 19, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in major campaigns with the Army of the Cumberland and was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps for much of its service. The 75th Indiana was notable for its active involvement in several key battles and campaigns, including Tullahoma, Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign.

The regiment mustered out of service at Washington, D.C., on June 8, 1865. Its service record reflects extensive campaigning across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas, with significant losses in combat and from disease.

Organization & Service

The 75th Indiana Infantry was organized at Wabash, Indiana, and mustered in on August 19, 1862. The regiment departed Indiana on August 21, 1862, moving first to Lebanon, Kentucky. In response to Confederate General Bragg’s advance, the unit withdrew to Louisville. Subsequently, the regiment moved through Frankfort, Scottsville, Gallatin, and Cave City, Kentucky, pursuing Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan.

In December 1862, the regiment camped near Gallatin, Tennessee, and in January 1863 moved to Murfreesboro. While stationed there, the 75th Indiana engaged in scouting and expeditions as part of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps. On June 24, 1863, the regiment participated in the Tullahoma Campaign, fighting at Hoover’s Gap and being the first Union regiment to enter the enemy’s works at Tullahoma.

After the Tullahoma Campaign, the regiment advanced toward Chattanooga and fought at the Battle of Chickamauga, where it suffered significant casualties. The 75th Indiana remained near Chattanooga through the fall and winter of 1863 and participated in the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

In the spring of 1864, the regiment moved to Ringgold, Georgia, and joined the Atlanta Campaign. It was engaged at Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, in front of Atlanta, and at Jonesboro. In October 1864, the regiment marched to Pine Mountain and threatened the rear of French’s division of Hood’s army at Allatoona, then pursued the enemy to Gaylesville, Alabama.

The 75th Indiana returned in time to join Sherman’s March to the Sea, reaching Savannah in December 1864. In January 1865, the regiment participated in the Carolinas Campaign, fighting at Fayetteville and Bentonville, and skirmishing at Smithfield. The regiment then advanced to Raleigh, North Carolina, and subsequently marched to Richmond and Washington, D.C. The 75th Indiana Infantry was mustered out at Washington on June 8, 1865. Remaining recruits were transferred to the 42nd Indiana Infantry and served until that regiment’s muster out.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Pursuit of Morgan’s forces in Kentucky (1862)
• Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863): Hoover’s Gap, Tullahoma
• Chickamauga (September 1863)
• Chattanooga Campaign (Fall 1863): Missionary Ridge
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro
• Operations against Hood (October 1864): Pine Mountain, Allatoona, pursuit to Gaylesville
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864): Savannah
• Carolinas Campaign (January–April 1865): Fayetteville, Bentonville, Smithfield, Raleigh

Casualties

The original strength of the 75th Indiana Infantry was 1,031. The regiment gained 96 recruits, for a total enrollment of 1,127. Losses by death totaled 227. There were 30 desertions and 31 unaccounted for. At Chickamauga alone, the regiment lost 17 killed and 107 wounded. Detailed breakdowns by cause of death are not fully specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John U. Pettit
• Colonel Milton S. Robinson
• Colonel William O’Brien
• Lieutenant Colonel William O’Brien
• Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus J. McCole
• Major Cyrus J. McCole
• Major Mahlon H. Floyd

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 75th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for those who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 75th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII, XLIV
• 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