Overview
The 119th Indiana Regiment, also known as the 7th Indiana Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, during the summer of 1863. Serving in the Union Army as a cavalry regiment, it was mustered in by companies, with the full organization completed on October 1, 1863. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in operations across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.
This unit is distinct from any other Indiana regiments with similar designations. The 119th Indiana was notable for its active service against Confederate cavalry forces, particularly those under General Nathan Bedford Forrest, and for its participation in several significant engagements and expeditions.
Organization & Service
The 119th Indiana Regiment (7th Indiana Cavalry) was organized at Indianapolis under the authority of the Secretary of War for a three-year term. The regiment was mustered in by companies, with the organization completed on October 1, 1863. It left Indiana on December 6, 1863, reporting first to Louisville, Kentucky, and was soon ordered to Union City, Tennessee.
On December 14, 1863, a detachment under Major Christian Beck advanced toward Paris, Tennessee, but withdrew upon encountering a large enemy cavalry force. The regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, under Brigadier General Grierson. On December 24, it moved into Mississippi to intercept Forrest’s retreat from Jackson, Tennessee, engaging in a skirmish near Paris.
The regiment fought at Egypt Station, Mississippi, and was heavily engaged near Okolona on February 22, 1864. Despite being driven from the field, the 7th Indiana Cavalry held the enemy in check and saved the train after the division retreated. The regiment also executed a saber charge to recover an abandoned battery, suffering significant casualties but earning commendation from its commanders.
Afterward, the regiment was stationed near Memphis, Tennessee, conducting scouting operations. It participated in Sturgis’ expedition against Forrest, fighting at Guntown, Mississippi, where it again distinguished itself. The regiment performed railroad guard duty near Memphis, fought at La Mavoo, Mississippi, on August 18, and lost seven men to guerrilla action near Memphis on October 4, 1864.
In November 1864, the regiment marched with Mower’s division through Arkansas in pursuit of Price’s forces, reaching Cape Girardeau, Missouri, before proceeding by steamer to St. Louis and marching into the Missouri interior. Returning to Memphis, it joined an expedition against Forrest, surprising his dismounted force at Vernon and capturing supplies, including 16 cars of pontoons and 4,000 new English carbines. On December 28, the regiment attacked the enemy at Egypt Station, capturing or dispersing the opposing force and destroying a train of 14 cars.
The 119th Indiana continued active scouting and provost duty near Memphis until June 1865, when it moved to Alexandria, Louisiana. On June 21, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into six companies and ordered to Hempstead, Texas. Colonel John P. C. Shanks was mustered out for disability on October 10, 1865, and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Browne was promoted to colonel. The regiment was mustered out of service on February 18, 1866.
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
- Skirmish near Paris, Tennessee (December 1863)
- Egypt Station, Mississippi
- Battle near Okolona, Mississippi (February 22, 1864)
- Scouting and railroad guard duty near Memphis, Tennessee
- Battle of Guntown, Mississippi
- Fight at La Mavoo, Mississippi (August 18, 1864)
- Guerrilla action near Memphis, Tennessee (October 4, 1864)
- Pursuit of Price’s forces through Arkansas and Missouri (November 1864)
- Expedition to Vernon, Mississippi
- Attack at Egypt Station, Mississippi (December 28, 1864)
- Scouting and provost duty near Memphis, Tennessee
- Service in Louisiana and Texas (1865–1866)
Casualties
The original strength of the regiment was 1,202 men, with an additional 127 recruits, totaling 1,392. The regiment lost 243 men by death, 169 by desertion, and 29 were unaccounted for. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully specified in available sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John P. C. Shanks
- Colonel Thomas M. Browne
- Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Browne
- Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. W. Simonson
- Major Christian Beck
- Major Samuel E. W. Simonson
- Major John C. Febles
- Major James H. Carpenter
- Major John M. Moore
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 119th Indiana Regiment (7th Indiana Cavalry) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes the names and service details of officers and enlisted men who served in the regiment during its three years of service.
To view the complete roster, please visit the 119th Indiana Regiment (7th Indiana Cavalry) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports for 7th Indiana Cavalry/119th Indiana Regiment)
- 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, Vol. 3