97th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 97th Indiana Infantry (Union Army, Infantry) was organized at Terre Haute, Indiana, and mustered into Federal service on September 20, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in several major campaigns and battles, primarily as part of the Army of the Tennessee. The unit is noted for its active involvement in the Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Carolinas campaigns.

The 97th Indiana Infantry was attached to various brigades and divisions, including the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, and later the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps. The regiment mustered out of service at Washington, D.C., on June 9, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 97th Indiana Infantry was organized at Terre Haute and mustered in on September 20, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed Indiana for Memphis, Tennessee, where it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps. The regiment participated in the overland movement toward Vicksburg, Mississippi, and subsequently returned to Moscow, Tennessee, following the Holly Springs disaster.

Afterward, the regiment joined Sherman’s forces in the rear of Vicksburg, monitoring Confederate General Johnston’s movements during the siege. Following the fall of Vicksburg in July 1863, the 97th Indiana took part in the investment of Jackson, Mississippi. In September, the regiment moved to Memphis and, in October, advanced into Tuscumbia, Alabama, with Rosecrans’ army. The unit then moved into Tennessee and was engaged at the Battle of Chattanooga in November 1863. It participated in the relief of Burnside in eastern Tennessee and spent the winter at Scottsboro, Alabama.

In May 1864, the regiment, now part of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, joined the Atlanta Campaign. The 97th Indiana was engaged at Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, and the battles before Atlanta on July 22 and July 28, 1864. The regiment also fought at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station, then encamped at East Point until October 3, when it participated in the pursuit of Hood’s forces, including action at Little River, Georgia.

During Sherman’s March to the Sea, the regiment fought at Griswoldville and Little Ogeechee River before resting at Savannah. In early 1865, the 97th Indiana marched through the Carolinas, engaging at Columbia, South Carolina, and Bentonville, North Carolina. The regiment then moved to Goldsboro, Richmond, and finally to Washington, D.C., where it was mustered out on June 9, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Overland movement toward Vicksburg, Mississippi (1862–1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (June–July 1863)
• Investment of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Advance into Tuscumbia, Alabama (October 1863)
• Battle of Chattanooga (November 1863)
• Relief of Burnside in eastern Tennessee (late 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Battle before Atlanta (July 22 and 28), Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station
• Pursuit of Hood, including Little River, Georgia (October 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864): Griswoldville, Little Ogeechee River
• Carolinas Campaign (early 1865): Columbia, South Carolina; Bentonville, North Carolina

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 876 men. During its service, the regiment gained 26 recruits, for a total of 902. Losses by death totaled 230. There were 33 desertions, and 2 men were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and deaths by disease are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Robert F. Catterson
• Colonel Aden G. Cavens
• Lieutenant Colonel Aden G. Cavens
• Lieutenant Colonel John Fields
• Major William H. Schlater
• Major David Shelby
• Major John Fields
• Major James Holdson

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 97th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 97th Indiana Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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, Vol. 3 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)