Record of Events for Third Indiana Cavalry

(also known as Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteers),

July 1861-April 1865

Detachment

Stationed at Middletown, Virginia, October 1864.

Field and Staff

Stationed at Hooker’s Division Headquarters, October 31, 1861.

Stationed at Camp Carter, November-December 1861.

Stationed at Camp Hooker, Budd’s Ferry, Maryland, March-April 1862.

Stationed at Bristoe [Station], Virginia, May-June 1862.

Stationed at Purcellville, Virginia, June 30-October 31, 1862.

Stationed at Belle Plain, Virginia, November-December 1862.

Stationed at Hope Landing, Virginia, January-February 1863.

Stationed at Rapidan Station, Virginia, March-April 1863.

Stationed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, May-June 1863.

Stationed at Catlett’s Station, July-August 1863.

Stationed near Bealeton [Station], Virginia, September-October 1863.

Stationed at Culpeper Court-House, Virginia, November 1863-February 1864.

Stationed at Stevensburg, Virginia, March-April 1864.

Stationed at Peter’s Bridge, Virginia, May-June 1864.

Stationed in the field, Georgia, July-August 1864.

Stationed at Indianapolis, Indiana, September 7, 1864.

September 7.- Muster-out roll of field and staff in the Third Regiment of Indiana Cavalry Volunteers, commanded by Colonel [Henry] Chapman, late Colonel [Scott] Carter, called into the service of the United States by the President at North Madison, Indiana (the place of general rendezvous) on August 22, 1861 to serve for the term of three years from the date of enrollment, unless sooner discharged, from August 22, 1861 (when mustered in) to August 31, 1864 when mustered out.

{William Howard] Mills,

First Lieutenant, Fourteenth Infantry, mustering Officer.

Regiment

Stationed at Rectortown, Virginia, May 1862.

Stationed at Purcellville, Virginia, except Companies G-K in the Department of the Cumberland, October 1862.

Stationed at Belle Plain, Virginia (Companies A-F); Companies G-K are attached to the Department of the Cumberland, six miles from Nashville on Nolensville Pike; L and M not stated, November-December 1862.

During most of the month of December the battalion was stationed near Nashville, Tennessee and participated in several spirited skirmishes and repelled several attempts to capture our forage trains by the enemy’s cavalry.

December 26.—The battalion left Nashville, bringing up the rear of the Second Division and right wing, Fourteenth Army Corps, in advance on Murfreesborough via Nolensville.

December 27-28.—Was put in advance of right wing all day doing heavy skirmishing between Nolensville and Triune. Lost three men killed and four wounded. On the next day captured sixteen prisoners while leading a reconnaissance towards Shelbyville.

December 30.—Moved to front of Murfreesborough and participated in said battle (Stone’s River) during the remainder. Lost one man killed, two wounded and several horses. Lost five men captured and ten missing, supposed to have been captured. Captured eleven prisoners in engagements and some stragglers. Are now encamped on Shelbyville Pike, four miles south of Murfreesborough.

Stationed at Belle Plain, except Companies G to I, January 1863.

Stationed at Hope Landing, Virginia, except Companies G to I at Camp Sill near Murfreesborough, Tennessee, February 1863.

Stationed at Hope Landing, except Companies G to I at Camp Drake, Tennessee, March 1863.

Stationed at Rapidan [Station], except Companies G to I at Camp Drake near Murfreesborough, Tennessee in the Department of the Cumberland; Companies L and M at Indianapolis, April 1863.

Changes having taken place among the officers, their Headquarters have no correct roster of the detachment.

Stationed at Camp Drake near Murfreesborough, Tennessee, except field and staff and Companies A-F, L and M, April 1863.

Stationed at Brooke’s Station, Virginia, except Companies G-k with the Army of the Cumberland near Murfreesborough, Tennessee; Companies L and M at Indianapolis, Indiana, May 1863.

Companies G, H, I, and K under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel {Robert} Klein and detached with the Army of the Cumberland and do not report here.

Companies L and M, commanded by Captain {Oliver} M. Powers, are doing duty at Indianapolis, Indiana. No reports are received at the Headquarters of this command.

Stationed at Army of the Potomac, except G, H, I and K, Army of the Cumberland; L and M District of Indiana, June 1863.

No returns are received from the battalion which is under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Klein.

No returns are received from the squadron which is supposed under command of Captain Powers and within the Department of General {Ambrose Everett} Burnside.

Stationed at Guy’s Gap, eight miles from Shelbyville, Tennessee, except Companies A-M, June 1863.

Stationed at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, except Companies G-K stationed at Winchester, Tennessee, July 1863.

Stationed at Catlett’s Station, Virginia, except Companies G-K stationed at Pikeville, Tennessee, August 1863.

Stationed at Chattanooga, Tennessee (Companies G-K); [remainder] stationed at Stephensburg, Virginia, September 1863.

Stationed at Bealeton, Virginia, except Companies G-K at Sale Creek, Tennessee, Army of the Cumberland, October 1863.

Stationed at Culpeper, Virginia, except Companies G-K in the Army of the Cumberland at Gum Springs, Rhea County, Tennessee, November 1863.

Stationed at Maryville, Tennessee, Army of the Cumberland (Companies g-k); Companies A-F at Culpeper, Virginia, December 1863.

Stationed at Culpeper Court-house, Virginia (A-F); Companies G-M at Maryville, East Tennessee, January 1864.

Stationed at Culpeper, Virginia, (Companies A-F); Companies G-M at the rear of Knoxville, Tennessee, February 1864.

Stationed at Culpeper Court-House, Virginia, except Companies G-M at Russellville, Tennessee, March 1864.

March 9-10.—Marched from Knoxville to Strawberry Plains. March 10 from Strawberry Plains to Mossy Creek Station.

March 12.—From Mossy Creek to Chucky Bend and Spring Vale on the right of our Army, five miles from Morristown. At Chucky Bend with [Edmund W.] Rucker’s Legion, composed of Eighth, Twelfth and Sixteenth Battalions.

March 13.— [Illegible] cavalry (Rebel) at Spring Vale on our picket line with a portion of [Henry Liter] Giltner’s Fourth Kentucky Brigade Cavalry.

March 14.—The morning of March 14 at Spring Vale, our own company with Rucker’s Legion. In the evening on Bent Creek with Rucker’s Legion, driving [enemy] out and capturing his camp.

March 15.—Between Spring Vale and Bull’s Gap with a portion of Giltner’s Brigade. Resulted in our loss of two men wounded and two horses killed. Enemy’s loss, killed one brevet lieutenant; three men wounded, one captain, one lieutenant and nine men; captured fifteen men, total thirty. Captured seventeen horses, arms and eighty-some shelter tents and camp equipage when we captured Rucker’s camp.

March 18.—From Spring vale to Mossy Creek.

March 31.—From Mossy Creek to Russellville. Scouts during the month. The Third Indiana Cavalry was the only mounted force operating in front of the right wing and right flank of our advance Army in East Tennessee and did all the scouting to Bull’s Gap, French Broad River and Chucky Rivers.

Stationed at Stephensburg, Virginia, except Companies G-M serving with the Army of the Cumberland, stationed at Knoxville, East Tennessee, April 1864.

Companies G to M under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Klein are serving with the Army of the Cumberland. [The following is the ] record of events for Companies G to M.

April 1.— Marched from Russellville to Lick Creek and returned to Bull’s Gap, Tennessee.

April 16.—Skirmished near Rheatown with Captain Reynolds’ Company of guerillas. Our loss, none. Enemy’s loss; five killed, two wounded. Captain Reynolds and fifteen men captured. Total, twenty-three. Also captured seventeen horses and equipments and arms.

April 24.—From Bull’s Gap to Rheatown; April 25 from Rheatown to Carter’s Station on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad at Watauga River Bridge.

April 25.— [Skirmish] at Watauga Bridge with a force of infantry and cavalry under Brigadier General Jackson, entrenched in earthworks, Third Indiana Cavalry and 200 Tenth Michigan on our side. Loss on our side, eight men wounded and two men captured from horses killed. Enemy’s loss, five prisoners. Killed and wounded not known.

April 26-30.— From Carter’s Station to Rheatown, Bull’s Gap, panther Springs, Strawberry Plains [and] Knoxville. Did all the scouting front, left and right of the advance Army in East Tennessee.

Stationed at Hanover Court House, Virginia, except Companies G-M serving with the Army of the Cumberland at Adairsville, Georgia, May 1864.

May 1-7.— Companies G to M marched from Knoxville, Tennessee to Campbell’s Station to Loudon, to Mouse Creek Station, to Charleston, to Cleveland, to Tyner’s Station, and to Chattanooga.

May12-15.— [Went on] scouts of 150 men under Captain [George] F. Herriott starting from Chattanooga. Visited Trenton, Oak Creek and La Fayette, Georgia and Valley Head, Alabama and returned to Chattanooga.

May 24-27.— [Marched from] Chattanooga, to Ringgold, Georgia; to Dalton, Georgia; to Calhoun, and Adairsville, Georgia.

Stationed at Peter’s Bridge, Virginia, except Companies G-M serving with the Army of the Cumberland at Adairsville, Georgia, June 1864.

Stationed at Cartersville, Georgia, except Companies A-F, station not stated, July 1864.

July 3-5.—Marched from Adairsville, Georgia to Sonora, Gordon County, Georgia; to Johnson’s Church, Georgia and Cartersville, Georgia.

During the month did part of the scouting for the Third Cavalry Division.

Stationed at Camp Stoneman, District of Columbia, except Companies G-M, July 1864.

These companies are serving in the Army of the Cumberland under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Klein and do not report to these headquarters.

Stationed in the field, Georgia, except Companies A-F not stated, August 1864.

August 3-4.—Marched from Cartersville, Georgia to creeks; to Chattahoochee River.

August 14.—Marched from Mitchell’s Cross-Roads to Sandtown, Georgia.

August 18.—Raids from Sandtown to Fairburn, Georgia; cut Atlanta and Montgomery Railroad.

August 19.—Made raid on Macon Railroad, cutting it near Griffin, Georgia. Destroyed one and one-half miles of railroad and telegraph. Burned twenty government wagons, one locomotive and train of cars loaded with supplies.

August 20.—Skirmishes with [Samuel Wragg] Ferguson’s Brigade of Cavalry.

August 30.— [Skirmish] with Jackson’s Division.

August 30.— At Jonesborough, Georgia were attacked by [Patrick Ronayne] Cleburn’s Division of infantry; repulsed them twice; third attack were compelled to fall back with a loss of one man mortally wounded, three severely and four missing.

Adjutant-General’s Office No. 83, Paragraph 36, April 24, 1865. Upon receipt of this order by the commanding General, Army of the Potomac, the portion of the Third Indiana Cavalry now serving with that Army will be ordered to report to General [William Tecumseh] Sherman for consolidation with the Eighth Indiana Cavalry, in accordance with Paragraph 40, Special Orders No. 15, January 10, 1865 from this office. The remaining veterans and recruits of the Third Indiana Cavalry will be transferred and consolidated with the Eighth Indiana Cavalry to bear the designation of the latter regiment, Adjutant-General’s Orders.

Stationed at Camp Crook, Georgia (lieutenant-colonel, major and assistant surgeon and Companies G-M), Companies A-F not stated, September 1864.

September 2.—The regiment moved from opposite Jonesborough, Georgia down opposite Lovejoy’s Station and had a skirmish in the division. Was engaged.

September 6.—The Third Indiana covered the rear of the Army as it fell back from Lovejoy’s Station.

September 8.—The Third Indiana arrived at Camp Crook and wet into regular camp.

September 10.—One hundred of the Third Indiana went down to Campbellton, Georgia and recovered the bodies of seven men belonging to the Eighth Indiana Cavalry who had been cruelly [murdered] by guerillas and returned on September 10.

Stationed at Marietta, Georgia (major, assistant surgeon and Companies G to M) Companies A-H not stated, October 1864.

Stationed not stated (Companies A-I and L); Company K stationed at Marietta, Georgia; Company M at Louisville, Georgia, November 1864.

Company K, consisting of forty-five enlisted men, was detached to take division property to Nashville, Tennessee by orders of General [Hugh Judson] Kilpatrick, dated November 9.

Company L, consisting of ninety-two enlisted men was detached from the regiment to take charge of the division train by orders of General Kilpatrick, dated November 11. One sergeant was left on duty with the regiment.

Station not stated (Companies A-L); Company M stationed at Savannah, Georgia, December 1864.

Company M

Stationed at Indianapolis, Indiana, December 11, 1862.

December 11.—Muster-in roll of Captain Charles U. Patton’s Company, in the Forty-fifth Regiment of Third Cavalry Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Scott Carter, called into service of the united States by the President from December 11, 1862 (date of this muster) fro the term of three years, unless sooner discharged….

John B. Miller

Captain, Thirteenth United States, Infantry, Mustering Officer.

Stationed at Camp Carrington, December 31, 1862-April 30, 1863.

Stationed at Indianapolis, May-June 1863.

Stationed at Camp Morton, Indiana, August 31, 1863.

Stationed at Greeneville, East Tennessee, September-October 1863.

September 13-14.—At Camp Burnside, Indianapolis, received orders and left Indianapolis on September 14 for the field, acting as escort for General O.B. Willcox.

September 15-16.—Arrived at Cincinnati via the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad, 110 miles. Crossed the river to Covington and took the cars to Nicholasville, where we arrived September 16, 112 miles. Marched same day to Camp Nelson, six miles.

September 24-October 3.—Marched from Camp Nelson for Cumberland Gap, where we arrived October 3, 125 miles. Made a scout the same day to Mulberry, Georgia, thirty miles.

October 4-7.—Back to Cumberland Gap, thirty miles; October 5 toward Morristown, nineteen miles; October crossed Clinch River and mountains, fourteen miles; October 7 passed through Morristown, seven miles.

October 9-11.—Marched to Bull’s gap, twelve miles. October 10 marched to Blue Springs, where there was a slight engagement, eight miles. October 11 marched through Greeneville, fifteen miles.

October 14.—Marched back to Greeneville, three miles. We have been here since. The company is employed on scouting, picket and as orderlies. A detail of twelve men is running a mill eight miles from here.

Stationed near Maynardsville, Tennessee, November-December 1863.

Stationed near Knoxville, Tennessee, January-February 1864.

Stationed near Chattanooga, Tennessee, March-April 1864.

Stationed at Adairsville, Georgia, May-June 1864.

Stationed at Camp Cook, Georgia, July-August 1864.

Stationed at Marietta, Georgia, September-October 1864.

Stationed near Savannah, Georgia, November-December 1864.

Stationed at Goldsborough, North Carolina, April 15, 1865

April 15.—Muster-out roll of Captain Charles U. Patton’s Company (M), in the Third Regiment of Indiana Cavalry Volunteers, commanded by Captain Charles U. Patton, called into the service of the United States by the President at Indianapolis, Indiana (the place of general rendezvous) on December 11, 1862 to serve for the unexpired term of the regiment from the date of enrollment, unless sooner discharged, from December 31, 1864 (when last mustered) to April 15, 1865 when mustered for discharge……

William G. Wedemeyer,

First Lieutenant, Sixteenth Infantry, United States Army,

Assistant Commissary of Musters, Third Division Cavalry,

M.D.M., Mustering Officer

[Taken from the War of Rebellion, Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Supplement, Part II, Vol. 15, Pages 227-234, 251-253]