120th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 120th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Columbus, Indiana, in the winter of 1863, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on March 1, 1864. The unit participated in major campaigns in the Western and Southern theaters, including the Atlanta Campaign, the Nashville Campaign, and operations in North Carolina. The regiment was notable for its active service in several significant battles and for its extended duty through the end of the war and into 1866.

Organization & Service

The 120th Indiana Infantry was organized at Columbus, Indiana, and mustered in on March 1, 1864. Shortly after, on March 20, the regiment departed Indiana for Louisville, Kentucky, where it was assigned to a brigade in Hovey’s division. The regiment moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and then to Charlestown, Tennessee, where it became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps.

On May 2, 1864, the regiment joined the Atlanta Campaign, engaging at Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca, where it participated in a charge that routed Confederate forces. The 120th Indiana was also involved in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain and fought in the battle before Atlanta on July 22. The regiment took part in the siege of Atlanta, with constant skirmishing until the city’s evacuation, and was engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station.

Following the resignation of Colonel Richard F. Barter on September 15, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Allen W. Prather was promoted to colonel. In October, the regiment joined the pursuit of Hood’s Confederate army as far as Summerville, Georgia. Detached from Sherman’s army on October 30, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, where it participated in skirmishes at Columbia and fought in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, suffering significant casualties, including the mortal wounding of Major Edward B. Brasher.

The regiment then moved to Nashville and took part in the Battle of Nashville on December 15–16, 1864, joining in the pursuit of Hood’s retreating forces and later encamping at Clifton, Tennessee. On January 15, 1865, the 120th Indiana embarked for Cincinnati, then proceeded to Washington, D.C., and finally to New Berne, North Carolina. In March, the regiment advanced toward Kinston, fighting at Wise’s Forks on March 8 and 10, where it sustained further losses. The regiment then joined General Cox’s forces at Kinston and moved to Goldsboro, meeting Sherman’s army there.

After remaining in camp at Goldsboro until April 10, the regiment moved to Smithfield, then to Raleigh, where it performed provost duty. On May 10, it moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, remaining there for three months before relocating to Greensboro and then returning to Raleigh for garrison duty on August 21. Colonel Prather resigned on September 9, 1865, and Lieutenant Colonel Reuben C. Kise was promoted to colonel and subsequently to brigadier general of volunteers for distinguished service. The regiment was mustered out of service on January 6, 1866.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Atlanta Campaign (including Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of Atlanta, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station)
• Pursuit of Hood (Summerville, Georgia)
• Columbia, Tennessee (skirmishes)
• Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s forces
• North Carolina Campaign (Wise’s Forks, Kinston, Goldsboro, Smithfield, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro)

Casualties

The original strength of the regiment was 976 men, with an additional 219 recruits, totaling 1,195. Losses by death numbered 151. The regiment lost 48 killed and wounded at the Battle of Franklin, and at Wise’s Forks, 7 were killed and 48 wounded. There were 52 recorded desertions. If casualty figures differ in other sources, those are not reflected here.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Richard F. Barter
• Colonel Allen W. Prather
• Colonel Reuben C. Kise
• Lieutenant Colonel Allen W. Prather
• Lieutenant Colonel Reuben C. Kise
• Lieutenant Colonel John M. Barcus
• Major Reuben C. Kise
• Major Edward B. Brasher
• Major John M. Barcus
• Major Albert Knowles

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 120th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and other service details as recorded in official sources.

To view the complete roster, visit the 120th Indiana Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, XLV, XLVII
• 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