89th Indiana Infantry Regiment

Last updated
89th Indiana Infantry
ActiveAugust 28, 1862–July 19, 1865
DisbandedJuly 19, 1865
Country US flag 35 stars.svg United States
Allegiance Union
Branch XVI Corps
Type Infantry
Size Regiment
Engagements American Civil War

89th Indiana Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. [1]

Contents

History

Service

2nd Division of XVI Corps XVIcorpsbadge2.png
2nd Division of XVI Corps

The 89th Indiana was formed at Camp Morton on August 28, 1862, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Under the command of Colonel Charles D. Murray, Lieutenant Colonel Hervey Craven, Major George Cubberly, Major Samuel Henry and Major Joseph P. Winters.

It was disestablished in Mobile, Alabama, on July 19, 1865. The regiment lost 6 officers and 55 enlisted men killed during service and 3 officers and 188 enlisted men by disease, for a total of 252 casualties. [1] [2]

Battle of Munfordville

Battle of Munfordville as illustrated - in Harper's Weekly Battle of Munfordville.jpg
Battle of Munfordville as illustrated - in Harper's Weekly

On September 2, 1862, the 89th Indiana Regiment was sent to reinforce the Federal garrison at Munfordville, Kentucky. Upon reaching their destination, they were stationed to guard the railroad bridge across the Green River. On September 14, 1862, the 89th would see their first battle, which would become known as the Battle of Munfordville. They were attacked by the Confederate Army of Mississippi under Gen. Braxton Bragg. The 89th were driven within their fortifications and held off two major Confederate charges on the garrison. The Confederate Army began to conduct siege operations on September 15 and by September 16 had surrounded the smaller Union force, planting artillery on every hill lying around the fortification. The Confederates demanded surrender from Commander of the Union garrison Col. John T. Wilder, who was escorted under a flag of truce. Confederate Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner escorted him to view the strength of the Confederates, which convinced him that any attempt at fighting would only be a waste of life. [3] On September 17, the entire Union force surrendered and was immediately paroled and sent towards General Buell's Army of the Ohio. [1]

Fort Pickering

Fort Pickering Memphis Tennessee Sketch of Fortifications (Fort Pickering) at Memphis, Tennessee, 1864, drawn by C. Spangenberg, Asst. Engr. - NARA - 305793.tif
Fort Pickering Memphis Tennessee

On December 4, 1862, they were attached to the District of Memphis, Tennessee, in the 16th Army Corps. The 89th Indiana performed guard and fatigue duty at Fort Pickering (Memphis, Tennessee) located just south of Memphis, Tennessee. As Fort Pickering never saw battle, the 89th did not do any fighting there. [1] [4]

Expedition to Hernando

On August 16, 1863, the 89th Indiana went on an expedition from Memphis, Tennessee, to Hernando, Mississippi and encountered some Confederates near Panola, Mississippi. [1] [5]

Expedition after Forrest

On December 24, 1863, the 89th Indiana was part of the expedition to attempt to cut off Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest's retreat. The overall Union strength was ten thousand strong, marching an average of twenty miles a day. Nonetheless, General Forrest still managed to escape across the Tennessee River. [1] [6]

Meridian Campaign

February 3, 1864, was the start of the Meridian Campaign, also known as the Battle of Meridian. The 89th Indiana had skirmished with Confederate forces on the march to Meridian. As they approached Meridian, they met stiffer resistance from the combined forces but steadily moved on and reach Meridian, Mississippi, on Feb 14th. By Feb 20th the Union victory was complete with the destruction of Confederate transportation facilities. [1] [7]

Red River Campaign

March 10, 1864, was the start of the Red River Campaign The 89th Indiana left Vicksburg, Mississippi, to take the Confederate Louisiana state capital of Shreveport, Louisiana, by traveling on transports down river and escorted into the Red River, fought at Henderson's hill, assisting in the capture of 270 men and 4 pieces of artillery, fighting at the battle of Pleasant Hill and in the various minor engagements incidental to the Red River Campaign. [1] [8]

Battle of Pleasant Hill by C. E. H. Bonwell -- as illustrated in Frank Leslie's Weekly, May 14, 1864 Battle of Pleasant Hill Louisiana.JPG
Battle of Pleasant Hill by C. E. H. Bonwell — as illustrated in Frank Leslie's Weekly, May 14, 1864

On April 9, 1864, the 89th Indiana was in the Battle of Pleasant Hill. The 89th Indiana was reinforcing the Union forces from the previous day's Battle of Mansfield. Officially, the battle was a Union victory; as the Confederates were successfully driven from the field. [1] [8]

The Battle is also the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi River. [1] [9] Despite the success with the battle, however, the campaign was a failure for the Union. [1] [8]

Major General Andrew Jackson Smith of the XVI Corps AJSmith.jpg
Major General Andrew Jackson Smith of the XVI Corps

Smith's Expeditions

On July 5, 1864, the 89th Indiana advanced south from Tennessee on Smith's Expedition to Tupelo to protect Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s supply line for his campaign against Atlanta. The 89th engaged in the Battle of Tupelo in Harrisburg on July 14th and 15th. The expedition was a success with the defeat of Stephen D. Lee and Nathan Bedford Forrest and the fulfilled mission of insuring William T. Sherman’s supply lines. On the 15th of July, the 89th started back to Memphis. [1] [10] [11]

On August 1, 1864, 89th Indiana set out on Smith's expedition to Oxford. No major battles were fought on this expedition, just minor skirmishes with Confederates on the march to Oxford, Mississippi. On the 22nd, the Union force reached Oxford and burned both the brick blocks fronting on the public square and the Court-House in one conflagration. The houses of some prominent official rebels were also burned, such as that of Jacob Thompson, Confederate Secretary of the Interior. They marched back to Memphis as quickly as the extreme heat would allow. [1] [12]

Expedition to DeSoto

The 89th Indiana had been at the Jefferson Barracks in Missouri since September 8, 1864. When word was received of Confederates reaching DeSoto, Missouri, Major Gen. Andrew J. Smith led some of his troops out, with the 89th Indiana being one of these regiments. On September 20, 1864, they marched to DeSoto, Missouri, to meet the Confederate force of Major General Sterling Price. [1] [13]

Pursuit of Price

On October 1, 1864, 89th Indiana and the detachment of the Army of the Tennessee under Andrew J. Smith accompanied Major General Alfred Pleasonton after Major General Sterling Price to stop Price's campaign for Missouri. They fought at the Battle of Westport on October 23, 1864, a battle which would later become known as "The Gettysburg of the West." The resulting Union victory put an end to Price's campaign for Missouri. and rendered the Army of Missouri incapable of any future significant operations. [1]

Battle of Nashville

Federal outer line on December 16, 1864 Battle of Nashville Battle of Nashville.jpg
Federal outer line on December 16, 1864 Battle of Nashville

The 89th arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, by steamers on the Cumberland River to reinforce Nashville's defenses against Major General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee. On the opening day of the Battle of Nashville on December 15, 1864, the 1st Brigade under Colonel David Moore defended the main assault of the Confederates. By the end of the next day, December 16, 1864, the Confederate Army of Tennessee was no longer an effective fighting force. [1] [11]

Pursuit of Hood

On December 17, 1864, Major General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee was routed from the hills around Nashville, Tennessee, and fled toward the Franklin Pike, the only route of retreat left open to them. Behind them rose loud cheers from victorious Union soldiers. There were skirmishes throughout 120-mile retreat until the Army of Tennessee crossed the Tennessee River on December 28 and the pursuit was called off. [11] [14]

Mobile Campaign

On March 17, 1865, the Mobile Campaign began to take the city of Mobile, Alabama. The 89th Indiana, with the rest of the XVI Corps and XIII Corps, moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on the defenses of Mobile. The siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely after the fall of the other major forts opened the city of Mobile itself to attack. On April 12, 1865, Union forces occupied Mobile. [11] [15]

Battle of Fort Blakely

Storming of Fort Blakely BattleofFortBlakely1.png
Storming of Fort Blakely

On March 26, 1865, the siege of Fort Blakely began. By April 1, Union forces had enveloped Spanish Fort, thereby releasing more troops to focus on Fort Blakely. The Confederate force at Spanish Fort fell on April 8. The final assault began the next day on the Confederate force at Fort Blakely. The 89th Indiana assisted in the capture of 3,700 Confederates and 40 pieces of artillery on their last major engagement of the Civil War. [15]

Commanders

Commanders of the 89th Indiana
Colonel John I. Rinaker 1st Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Hervey Craven 89th Indiana Regiment

Other known commanders of the 89th Indiana

Major General William T. Sherman
Major General Nathaniel P. Banks
Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis
Major General George H. Thomas
Major General Edward Canby
Colonel John T. Wilder
Colonel Charles D. Murray
Colonel T.J. Kinney
Colonel David Moore

 

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Jackson Smith</span>

Andrew Jackson Smith was a United States Army general during the American Civil War, rising to the command of a corps. He was most noted for his victory over Confederate General Stephen D. Lee at the Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, on July 14, 1864.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Illinois Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 8th Illinois Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 95th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Iowa Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 12th Iowa Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment</span> Union infantry regiment during the Civil War

The 33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment from Illinois that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. A number of the soldiers were college students and graduates, and for a time the regiment included a 17-piece band. The unit fought at Fredericktown in 1861, Cotton Plant in 1862, the Vicksburg campaign and Fort Esperanza in 1863, and at Spanish Fort in 1865. The original enlistees were mustered out in October 1864 while the veterans and recruits were mustered out in December 1865.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">114th Illinois Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 114th Illinois Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment from Illinois that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Formed in September 1862, the regiment served in Ulysses S. Grant's Central Mississippi campaign, in the Vicksburg campaign, at Brices Cross Roads, at Tupelo, in the 1864 Missouri campaign, at Nashville, and at Spanish Fort. At Nashville, the unit participated in the decisive attack on Shy's Hill. In 1865, the regiment was reassigned as pontoniers. The regiment was mustered out in August 1865.

The 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 72nd Ohio Infantry Regiment, sometimes 72nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 46th Regiment Indiana Infantry was a regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 47th Regiment Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

3rd Indiana Battery Light Artillery was an artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25th Arkansas Infantry Regiment</span> Infantry regiment of the Confederate States

The 25th Arkansas Infantry was an infantry regiment of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The unit was originally organized as Turnbull's 11th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. Upon being increased by the required number of companies the battalion was organized as the 30th Arkansas Infantry Regiment but was later redesignated as the 25th Arkansas Infantry. There were two regiments officially designated as the 30th Arkansas Infantry. The other "30th Arkansas" served west of the Mississippi River, in the Department of the Trans-Mississippi and was also known as 5th Trans-Mississippi Regiment or the 39th Arkansas or Rogan's Arkansas Cavalry during Price's 1864 Missouri Expedition.

The 21st Missouri Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyman M. Ward</span> Union Army officer in the American Civil War

Lyman Munson Ward was an American farmer, Republican politician, and Union Army colonel in the American Civil War. He served four years in the Michigan House of Representatives, and received an honorary brevet to brigadier general after his service in the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Illinois Infantry Regiment</span> Union infantry regiment during the American Civil War

The 11th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment from Illinois that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In April 1861, it was formed as a three-month volunteer unit, and in July 1861 it was reorganized as a three-year unit, in which role it served until the end of the war. Two of its commanding officers were promoted to brigadier general and led major units during the war. In its first major action at Fort Donelson the regiment suffered terrible losses. The 11th Illinois also fought at Shiloh, Riggins Hill, Vicksburg, First Yazoo City, Second Yazoo City, and Fort Blakeley. In April 1863, the 109th Illinois Infantry Regiment was disbanded and its enlisted men transferred into the 11th Illinois. The regiment was mustered out of service in July 1865.

The 93rd Regiment Indiana Infantry was an American infantry regiment that was organized at Madison, Indianapolis and New Albany, Indiana, August 16 to October 31, 1862, during the Civil War. The regiment marched out of Indiana for Memphis, Tennessee, on November 9, 1862, attached to the 5th Brigade, 13th Army Corps. By August, 1865 it was attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, Military Division West Mississippi.

The 52nd Regiment Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 7th Regiment Indiana Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 117th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 119th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "89th Indiana Infantry Regiment". Civilwarreference.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  2. "History - Indiana Infantry (Part 7)". Civilwararchive.com. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  3. "The Battle of Munfordville". Battleforthebridge.org. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  4. "Historic Fort Pickering, Memphis". historic-memphis.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  5. "Civil War Battles from the Official Records - Volume 29, Chapter 41". Civil War Index. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  6. Charlmers, J.R. "Forrest And His Campaigns". CivilWarHome.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  7. "Meridian". CWSAC Battle Summaries. National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Joiner, Gary D. "The Red River Campaign". CivilWar.org. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  9. "History". Battle of Pleasant Hill. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  10. "Confederates defeated at the Battle of Tupelo". This Day in History — 7/14/1864. History.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "89th Indiana Infantry". Civil War Index. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  12. Smith, A.J. (September 10, 1864). "GEN. A.J. SMITH'S EXPEDITION.; The Movement into Mississippi". The New York Times. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  13. "Jefferson Barracks Historic Timeline". Missouri Civil War Museum St Louis Missouri. Missouri Civil War Museum. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  14. Kevin Eisert. "Retreat From Nashville". Civilwar.bluegrass.net. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Dale Cox. "Mobile Campaign - A Civil War Campaign in Alabama". Battles And Campaigns - 1864. ExploreSouthernHistory.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.