Fifty-second Indiana Infantry. — Cols., James M. Smith, Edward H. Wolfe, Zalmon S. Main; Lieut. -Cols., William C. McReynolds, Edward H. Wolfe, Zalmon S. Main; Majs., Edward H. Wolfe, Zalmon S. Main, William T. Strickland. This regiment was organized in the fall of 1861 and winter of 1861-62. It was partially organized at Rushville, then marched to Indianapolis and was consolidated with the 56th, or railroad regiment. The 52nd was mustered in Feb. 1, 1862, left the state Feb. 7, going to Fort Henry and from there to Fort Donelson. It was in the siege of Fort Donelson, serving with Smith's division. It was on garrison duty at Forts Henry and Heiman from Mar. 3 until April 18, then moved to Pittsburg landing and joined Lanman's brigade of Hurlbut's division. It took part in the siege of Corinth, moved to Memphis in July and remained there until Sept. 9, when it moved to Fort Pillow, thence to Columbus, Ky., and back to Fort Pillow. It fought Faulkner's guerrillas near Durhamville, in September, then went on garrison duty at Fort Pillow, remaining until Jan., 1864, and engaging in the meantime in several marches and skirmishes with guerrillas in Tennessee and Arkansas. On Jan. 23, it left for Vicksburg with the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 16th army corps, and accompanied Sherman's army on the Meridian raid, being in the engagement at Jackson. It reached Canton, Miss., Feb. 26, and reenlisted as a veteran organization on the 27th, the veterans going home on furlough in March. The non-veterans and recruits, 126 in number, were placed with the 89th Ind. and marched to the relief of Banks' army on the Red river, being engaged at Fort De Russy, Pleasant Hill, Moore's plantation and Yellow bayou. The veterans left home for the field Apr. 23, proceeding to Columbus, Ky., and left there on May 27 for Vicksburg, where they were joined by the detachment with the 89th. The regiment left Vicksburg June 3 with Gen. A. J. Smith's forces in pursuit of Marmaduke into Arkansas and was in the fight at Lake Chicot. It then moved to Memphis and on June 23 joined the expedition after Forrest, engaging him at Tupelo. Marching on Aug. 3 from Memphis, it participated in the battle of Hurricane creek, Miss. ; took part in the movement into Missouri with Smith's command; was engaged in the battle with Price's forces at Franklin; and followed the enemy from the state, a march of 350 miles. It returned to St. Louis Nov. 19, and then moved to Nashville; participated in the battle at that place in December; pursued Hood's army to the Tennessee river; remained at Eastport until Feb. 9, 1865, when it joined Canby's forces at New Orleans for the Mobile campaign. It moved to Dauphin island in March ; joined in the reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely ; then moved to Montgomery and remained there until July. On May 26 the battalion of the 50th regiment was attached to the 52nd and on July 14 the regiment moved to Tuskegee, where it remained on garrison duty until Aug. 28. It was mustered out at Montgomery Sept. 10, 1865. The original strength was 930; gain by recruits, 221; reenlistments, 370; total, 1,521. Loss by death, 167; desertion, 129; unaccounted for, 26. The strength on reorganization was 948; gain by recruits, 8; total, 956. Loss by death, 20. |