89th Indiana Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.
History
Service
The 89th Indiana was formed at Camp Morton on August 28, 1862, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Under the command of Colonel Charles D. Murray, Lieutenant Colonel Hervey Craven, Major George Cubberly, Major Samuel Henry and Major Joseph P. Winters.
It was disestablished in Mobile, Alabama, on July 19, 1865. The regiment lost 6 officers and 55 enlisted men killed during service and 3 officers and 188 enlisted men by disease, for a total of 252 casualties.
Battle of Munfordville
On September 2, 1862, the 89th Indiana Regiment was sent to reinforce the Federal garrison at Munfordville, Kentucky. Upon reaching their destination, they were stationed to guard the railroad bridge across the Green River. On September 14, 1862, the 89th would see their first battle, which would become known as the Battle of Munfordville. They were attacked by the Confederate Army of Mississippi under Gen. Braxton Bragg. The 89th were driven within their fortifications and held off two major Confederate charges on the garrison. The Confederate Army began to conduct siege operations on September 15 and by September 16 had surrounded the smaller Union force, planting artillery on every hill lying around the fortification. The Confederates demanded surrender from Commander of the Union garrison Col. John T. Wilder, who was escorted under a flag of truce. Confederate Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner escorted him to view the strength of the Confederates, which convinced him that any attempt at fighting would only be a waste of life. On September 17, the entire Union force surrendered and was immediately paroled and sent towards General Buell's Army of the Ohio.
Fort Pickering
On December 4, 1862, they were attached to the District of Memphis, Tennessee, in the 16th Army Corps. The 89th Indiana performed guard and fatigue duty at Fort Pickering (Memphis, Tennessee) located just south of Memphis, Tennessee. As Fort Pickering never saw battle, the 89th did not do any fighting there.
Expedition to Hernando
On August 16, 1863, the 89th Indiana went on an expedition from Memphis, Tennessee, to Hernando, Mississippi and encountered some Confederates near Panola, Mississippi.
Expedition after Forrest
On December 24, 1863, the 89th Indiana was part of the expedition to attempt to cut off Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest's retreat. The overall Union strength was ten thousand strong, marching an average of twenty miles a day. Nonetheless, General Forrest still managed to escape across the Tennessee River.
Meridian Campaign
February 3, 1864, was the start of the Meridian Campaign, also known as the Battle of Meridian. The 89th Indiana had skirmished with Confederate forces on the march to Meridian. As they approached Meridian, they met stiffer resistance from the combined forces but steadily moved on and reach Meridian, Mississippi, on Feb 14th. By Feb 20th the Union victory was complete with the destruction of Confederate transportation facilities.
Red River Campaign
March 10, 1864, was the start of the Red River Campaign The 89th Indiana left Vicksburg, Mississippi, to take the Confederate Louisiana state capital of Shreveport, Louisiana, by traveling on transports down river and escorted into the Red River, fought at Henderson's hill, assisting in the capture of 270 men and 4 pieces of artillery, fighting at the battle of Pleasant Hill and in the various minor engagements incidental to the Red River Campaign.
On April 9, 1864, the 89th Indiana was in the Battle of Pleasant Hill. The 89th Indiana was reinforcing the Union forces from the previous day's Battle of Mansfield. Officially, the battle was a Union victory; as the Confederates were successfully driven from the field.
The Battle is also the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi River. Despite the success with the battle, however, the campaign was a failure for the Union.
Smith's Expeditions
On July 5, 1864, the 89th Indiana advanced south from Tennessee on Smith's Expedition to Tupelo to protect Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s supply line for his campaign against Atlanta. The 89th engaged in the Battle of Tupelo in Harrisburg on July 14th and 15th. The expedition was a success with the defeat of Stephen D. Lee and Nathan Bedford Forrest and the fulfilled mission of insuring William T. Sherman’s supply lines. On the 15th of July, the 89th started back to Memphis.