Twenty-third Indiana Infantry. — Cols., William L. Sanderson, George S. Babbitt; Lieut. -Cols., DeWitt C. Anthony, William P. Davis, George S. Babbitt; Majs., William P. Davis, Henry C. Ferguson. This regiment was organized at New Albany and was mustered in July 29, 1861. It left the state a few days later, for St. Louis and was ordered thence to Paducah, Ky. In the attack on Fort Henry the regiment was placed on gunboats and several of Co. B were killed by an exploding boiler on the Essex. The regiment was engaged on the second day of the battle of Shiloh, losing 52, killed, wounded and missing, and during the siege of Corinth it formed part of the reserve at Pea ridge. It passed the summer at Bolivar and participated in the recapture of Iuka in September. It was then in various movements until Feb. 21, 1863, when it proceeded to Vicksburg. It was engaged in the various movements about that place, being at the battles of Port Gibson and Raymond, making a charge at the later place and capturing a number of prisoners, but losing a third of the number engaged. It was also at Champion's hill and joined in the attack and capture of Jackson. It was in the front line at the siege of Vicksburg, losing during the time 55 in killed and wounded. It was not actively engaged during the fall and winter following, but was in a raid through Mississippi in February. It reenlisted at Hebron, Miss., during the winter and at the end of its furlough moved successively to Bird's point, Mo., Clifton, Tenn., and Acworth, Ga. It was in battle or skirmish almost daily during the advance on Atlanta; pursued Hood through Alabama and Georgia in October; and then returned to join the move on Savannah. From this point it marched with its corps to Beaufort, S. C, and in Jan., 1865, took part in the campaign of the Carolinas, being engaged at Bentonville and reaching Goldsboro on March 4. After Johnston's surrender it marched to Washington City and thence to Louisville, where it was mustered out July 23, 1865. Its original strength was 1,050; gain by recruits, 477; reenlistments, 277; unassigned recruits, 36; total, 1,840. Loss by death, 154; desertion, 99; unaccounted for, 273. |