Twenty-eighth Indiana Regiment — (1st Indiana Cavalry). — Col., Conrad Baker; Lieut.- Cols., Scott Carter, John S. Gavitt, William F. Wood, Thomas N. Pace, Julian D. Owen; Majs., John S. Gavitt, William F. Wood, Josiah Forth, Robert E. Clendenin, Thomas N. Pace, Julian D. Owen, William D. Weathers, Mark McCauley. This regiment was organized at Evansville in 1861, taking the number of the 28th infantry, but was subsequently changed to the 1st cavalry. The first eight companies were mustered in at Evansville on Aug. 20, and left the state the next day for St. Louis. They were ordered to Ironton and were engaged in a sharp skirmish at Black river. This part of the regiment was on duty at Pilot Knob during the fall and winter, and participated in the action at Fredericktown, making a charge that drove the enemy from the field and determined the result of the battle. It moved into Arkansas in 1862 and was engaged at Round hill in July. It was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd cavalry division, 13th corps, and with the exception of Co. C remained on duty in Arkansas during its term of service. It was stationed at Helena over a year, participating in the many expeditions from that point. The last year of its service the regiment was stationed at Pine Bluff. It was mustered out at Indianapolis, Sept. 6, 1864. Co. C, which had been detached for escort duty, marched with Grant's army to Vicksburg and participated in that campaign, subsequently joining Gen. Franklin's command in western Louisiana. It returned to New Orleans in Dec, 1863, and remained there until July 7, 1864, when it proceeded to Pine Bluff, Ark., where it joined the regiment. The recruits remaining in Arkansas were organized into two companies — A and B — and placed in command of Capt. James A. Pine. They were stationed at Pine Bluff and participated in a severe engagement in Sept., 1864, while on a scout. They were stationed at White river from Jan. 1 to March 20, 1865, when they were ordered to St. Charles. They were mustered out at Indianapolis in June. Co. I was organized at Terre Haute, April 25, 1861, for state service, was mustered into the U. S. service July 4, 1861, for three years and left for Virginia in command of Capt. Robert R. Stewart. It acted as cavalry escort to Gen. Rosecrans while he commanded in western Virginia, to Gen. Fremont while he was in command of the Mountain Department, and to Gen. Sigel during his connection with the Army of Virginia and the Army of the Potomac. The company was mustered out in Aug., 1864. Co. K, also an independent company, was organized at Indianapolis, June 20, 1861, with James R. Bracken as captain. It was ordered to western Virginia and assigned to duty under Gen. Reynolds. It was present at the battles of Green Brier river and Camp Alleghany, and charged the enemy's cavalry at Huntersville. It was chosen by Gen. Fremont as his body-guard; was engaged at Strasburg, and in twelve days' skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, terminating at Cross Keys. It was then transferred to Sigel as his body-guard, participated in the battle of Cedar mountain and was with Pope's army in the battles on Manassas plains. The famous cavalry charge into Fredericksburg, Nov. 9, 1862, was made by it and company I. Co. K was assigned to escort duty with Gen. Howard, of the 11th corps, and participated at Chancellorsville. It was on provost duty until after the battle of the Wilderness, and was then on duty at Gen. Meade's headquarters, until June 23, 1864. It was mustered out at Indianapolis in June, and the recruits, 43 in number, remained at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac until in the summer of 1865. The original strength of the regiment was 1,039; gain by recruits, 301; reenlistments, 5; total, 1,345. Loss by death, 131; desertion, 47; unaccounted for, 273. |