Overview
The 143rd Indiana Infantry (One Year’s Service) was an infantry regiment from Indiana that served in the Union Army during the final months of the American Civil War. Organized at Indianapolis in February 1865, the regiment was composed primarily of companies recruited from Indiana’s 1st Congressional District. The unit served in the Western Theater, performing garrison and guard duties in Tennessee until its mustering out in October 1865.
This regiment was part of Indiana’s response to the late-war call for one-year regiments, reflecting the Union’s need for additional troops to maintain order and security in occupied territories as the conflict drew to a close.
Organization & Service
The 143rd Indiana Infantry (One Year’s Service) was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in February 1865. The regiment mustered into Federal service on February 21, 1865, under the command of Colonel John F. Grill, Lieutenant Colonel John T. McQuiddy, and Major John E. Phillips. The regiment consisted of companies primarily raised from the 1st Congressional District of Indiana.
After mustering in, the regiment departed Indiana on February 24, 1865, and proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee. From Nashville, the unit moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where it was assigned to guard duty until May 13, 1865. The regiment then relocated to Tullahoma, Tennessee, and subsequently returned to Nashville in June. Shortly after, the 143rd Indiana was ordered to Clarksville, Tennessee. While stationed at Clarksville, three companies were detached and sent to garrison Fort Donelson. In October 1865, the regiment was reunited and ordered back to Nashville, where it was mustered out of service on October 17, 1865.
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 and garrison duty at Murfreesboro, Tennessee (February–May 1865)
- Duty at Tullahoma, Tennessee (May–June 1865)
- Garrison duty at Clarksville and Fort Donelson, Tennessee (June–October 1865)
Casualties
- Original strength: 998
- Gained by recruits: 8
- Total enrollment: 1,006
- Loss by death: 90
- Deserted: 78
- Unaccounted for: 4
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John F. Grill
- Lieutenant Colonel John T. McQuiddy
- Major John E. Phillips
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 143rd Indiana Infantry (One Year’s Service), 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 and historical research.
To view the full roster, visit the 143rd Indiana Infantry (One Year’s Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, relevant volumes
- 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)