One Hundred and Thirty-first Indiana Regiment (13th Indiana Cavalry). — Col., Gilbert M. L. Johnson; Lieut. -Cols., William T. Pepper, Ranna S. Moore; Majs., Leonidas Stout, Ranna S. Moore, Hugh A. Stephens, Isaac DeLong, John T. Wheeler, Joseph M. Stricker, David H. Wall. This regiment was organized during the fall and winter of 1863-64, being the last cavalry organization formed in the state and the 131st of the line. It was mustered in April 29, 1864, and left the state on the 30th, proceeding to Nashville, where it was dismounted and given infantry arms and accouterments. It was ordered to Huntsville, Ala., May 31 for garrison duty, being engaged in several skirmishes with bands of cavalry and on Oct. 1 it held the place against Buford's entire command. Cos. A, C, D, F, H and I, under Col. Johnson, proceeded to Louisville for the purpose of securing new mounts and equipments for the regiment. They were sent to Paducah to assist in repelling an attack by Forrest, which work having been performed they returned to Louisville, moving thence to Nashville, and marching to Lavergne to watch Hood's movements. Being cut off they retired upon Murfreesboro, participating in the battles of Overall's creek, Wilkinson's pike, and twelve skirmishes, losing 65 men in killed and wounded and 2 missing. Cos. B, E, G, K, L and M, had moved in the meantime from Huntsville to Nashville, in command of Lieut. -Col. Pepper, and participated, dismounted, in the battle of Nashville. Immediately after this, joining the other six companies, the entire regiment received new mounts and arms and was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 7th division, cavalry corps of the military division of the Mississippi. The regiment proceeded down the river, Feb. 11, stopping at Vicksburg. From there it moved to Mobile, where it assisted in the operations against Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and engaged in running a courier line to Florida. After the fall of Mobile it moved with Grierson's command on the raid through Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, reaching Columbus May 22. Proceeding to Macon, Miss., it garrisoned that point and patrolled the line of railroad for 60 miles, taking possession of a large amount of captured stores and ordnances. It returned to Columbus June 6, and remained there until November, when it was ordered to Vicksburg, where it was mustered out Nov. 18, 1865. In June, 1865, Col. Johnson was assigned to the command of the sub-district of northeast Mississippi, and continued to hold that position until the muster-out of the regiment, being brevetted brigadier- general. The command of the regiment then devolved upon Lieut. -Col. Moore. The original strength of the regiment was 1,157; gain by recruits, 236; total, 1,395. Loss by death, 136; desertion, 87; unaccounted for, 9. |