Overview
The 116th Indiana Infantry (Six Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Lafayette, Indiana, and mustered into United States service on August 17, 1863. Serving the Union, the regiment was part of the Western Theater during the American Civil War. Its service term was for six months, and it was primarily engaged in operations in Kentucky and East Tennessee.
This unit is distinct from any other Indiana regiments with similar designations or different service terms.
Organization & Service
The 116th Indiana Infantry (Six Months’ Service) was organized at Lafayette, Indiana, and mustered in on August 17, 1863. The regiment departed Indiana on August 31, 1863, and was first stationed at Dearborn, near Detroit, Michigan, where it was tasked with guarding the U.S. arsenal. Subsequently, the regiment was ordered to Nicholasville, Kentucky, and assigned to Mahan’s Brigade of General Willcox’s command.
In early October 1863, the regiment moved to Cumberland Gap, arriving on October 3, and then advanced to Tazewell and Morristown. On October 10, the 116th Indiana participated in the Battle of Blue Springs, contributing to the Union victory there. The regiment was then stationed at Greeneville until November 6, after which it moved to Bull’s Gap and assisted in constructing fortifications. During this period, the regiment endured significant hardships due to inadequate clothing, short rations, and exposure to harsh weather in the mountainous region.
The regiment later moved to the Clinch River area and took part in the engagement at Walker’s Ford, where it crossed the river under fire and held a key position to cover the crossing of the rest of the command. The 116th Indiana was engaged in skirmishing and defensive actions until it recrossed the river, again assisting in covering the withdrawal. In January 1864, the regiment was engaged in arduous duty in the mountain regions around Tazewell and Maynardville, continuing to suffer from privations. The regiment was mustered out at Indianapolis in February 1864.
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
- Guard duty at Dearborn, Michigan (August–September 1863)
- Operations in Kentucky and East Tennessee (September 1863–February 1864)
- Battle of Blue Springs (October 10, 1863)
- Stationed at Greeneville and Bull’s Gap (October–November 1863)
- Battle at Walker’s Ford, Clinch River (December 1863)
- Duty in mountain regions near Tazewell and Maynardville (January 1864)
Casualties
- Original strength: 995
- Gained by recruits: 81
- Total: 1,076
- Loss by death: 66
- Deserted: 120
- Unaccounted for: 1
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William C. Kise
- Lieutenant Colonel Godlove O. Belun
- Major Edwin J. Loveless
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 116th Indiana Infantry (Six Months’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on each member’s service and status during the regiment’s term.
To view the complete roster, visit the 116th Indiana Infantry (Six Months’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 30, Part I–III
- Indiana Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 3 (1908)