Indiana Soldiers

[Hoosier20]

I'm new to the forum. My 2nd Great Grandfather, was Private John Johnson, of the 20th Indiana Regiment, Company D. I use his photo as my avatar, and posting here.

I'm wondering if there are any other ancestors of 2oth Indiana troops on the forum?

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Michael W.]

Welcome from Indiana! If you have not read it already, author Craig Dunn wrote a book on the history of the 20th: Harvest fields of Death.
The book focuses on the 20th at Gettysburg, where they sustained very heavy casualties in the Wheatfield.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Welcome.

 

[Jimklag]

Welcome @Hoosier20 , from the Railroads and Steam Locomotives forum.

 

[James N.]

A very nice image; welcome to the forums!

 

[major bill]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Michigan.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Welcome from the UK

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I'm new to the forum. My 2nd Great Grandfather, was Private John Johnson, of the 20th Indiana Regiment, Company D. I use his photo as my avatar, and posting here.

I'm wondering if there are any other ancestors of 2oth Indiana troops on the forum?

Welcome, here's a photo of John's Captain in Company D until November, 1862, he was then commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 86th Indiana. Congratulations on having the photo ! I had a 4 x 1st cousin and transplanted east Tennessean that served in the 122nd Illinois.

George Frederick Dick


Chancellorsville, VA after battle report:

No. 122.

Report of Col. John Wheeler, Twentieth Indiana Infantry.

HDQRS. TWENTIETH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
May 7, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by the Twentieth Indiana Volunteers in the advance made upon the
enemy on Saturday, the 2d instant:

At noon the regiment was ordered into line, with one company thrown
forward as skirmishers, Company K, Capt. Brown, was placed in the
advance, to skirmish and feel the enemy. At 12.30 o'clock the regiment
moved, and at 1 o'clock we gained the crest of the hill, and halted until
the supports came up. We next got orders to move by the left flank.
We commenced the flank movement, and continued until we came up
with Berdan's Sharpshooters. The skirmishers we had sent out joined
with those of Berdan's, and drove the enemy some distance until they
came to an old railroad cut, where they undertook to make a stand, but
soon came out, and about of 200 of them surrendered and laid down
their arms. We advanced about a quarter of a mile beyond, put out
pickets, and prepared to stay over night. About dark all the other
regiments got orders to return except ours and the Sixty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteers. We remained in that position until near
midnight, and then orders to fall back to our brigade.

I am happy to report that my men and officers behaved manfully and
bravely.

All of which I respectfully submit.

Yours, to command,

JOHN WHEELER,
Col., Cmdg. Regt.

Lieut. J. HENRY,
A. A. A. G., Third Brig., First Div., Third Army Corps.

Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39

***************************************************************************************

Report of Capt. John W. Shafer, Twentieth Indiana
Infantry, of operations March 25.

HDQRS. TWENTIETH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
March 26, 1865.
CAPT.; In compliance with circular from headquarters First
Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, just received, I have the
honor to submit the following report of the part taken, by the Twentieth
Indiana Volunteers in the engagement on the 25th instant;

At about 9 a.m. the regiment was advanced to the picket-line of this
brigade, and there formed with the Seventy-third New York Volunteers
on its left flank, both regiments being under the command of
Lieut.-Col. Andrews. Orders were at once given to advance and
occupy the picket-line of the enemy. We met with a sharp infantry fire
from the enemy's picket-line strongly posted behind earth-works but
gained the position with but slight loss, capturing a number of prisoners.
Finding no connection on the right, and discovering the enemy moving
from their works with the probable intention of getting on the flank of
the regiment, Lieut.-Col. Andrews ordered the right wing of the
regiment deployed to form connection with troops of the First Division.
This movement was executed under a sharp fire of infantry and artillery.
The picket-line on the left was still occupied by the enemy, but an
incessant fire from this regiment and the Seventy-third New York
Volunteers kept under the cover of their works until about 2 p.m.,
when the Third Brigade of thid division captured the rebel line about
500 yards to the left, which being accomplished, this regiment,
accompanied by the Seventy-third New York Volunteers, had no
difficulty in occupying their works, taking a large number of prisoners.
About 3 p.m. the Third Brigade, on our left was driven back in apparent
confusion, necessitating the withdrawal of the Seventy-third New York
Volunteers and a part of this regiment to the corner of the woods, a
few yards to the rear. The Third Brigade rallied and recaptured the line
they had lost a few moments before and this regiment at once occupied
its old position, which it held until relieved after night. About 6 p.m.
the right wing of the regiment was attacked with considerable
impetuosity by part of the force which struck the First Division. They,
being opportunely re-enforced at this time by the picket forces of this
brigade, held their ground manfully, and rendered material aid in
repulsing the attack of the enemy.

The loss during the day was 4 commissioned officers wounded, 2
enlisted men killed, and 17 enlisted men wounded. The regiment
captured 1 officer and 46 men during the day.

In closing this brief report of the operations of this regiment I cannot
speak too highly of the good conduct of both officers and men. When
all did so well I refrain from making discriminations. Especial mention
is made, however, of the conspicuous gallantry of Sergt. Maj. Hiram
B. Johnston and First Sergt. William A. Chapman, Company F, both of
whom lost their lives.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN W. SHAFER,
Capt., Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, Cmdg. Regt.

Capt. J. M. LINNARD,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., Third Div., Second Army Corps.


Source: Official Records
PAGE 229-95 N. AND SE. VA., N. C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]

 

[tbuckley]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.
In what part of Indiana was the 20th recruited? My son and family live in Wells County.

 

[Kip124thNY]

Welcome from New Jersey.

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina.

 

[mrgrs27]

Greetings. I have two indirect ancestors who served in the 20th. They were Company K, from White County, Indiana. One was wounded at Gettysburg on 7/2/1863 and the other re-enlisted in 1864 and served through the end of the war.

 

[James N.]

Greetings. I have two indirect ancestors who served in the 20th. They were Company K, from White County, Indiana. One was wounded at Gettysburg on 7/2/1863 and the other re-enlisted in 1864 and served through the end of the war.

Congratulations, and you too are welcome to the forums!

 

[mrgrs27]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.
In what part of Indiana was the 20th recruited? My son and family live in Wells County.

The 20th was mostly recruited from Northwest and North Central Indiana. Per the regimental roster in Craig Dunn's book Harvestfields of Death most of companies mustered in 1861 show as mostly from one county. Here's the list:

Company A - Miami County
Company B - Lake County
Company C - Marshall County
Company D - Fountain County
Company E - Laporte County
Company F - Cass County
Company G - Tippecanoe County
Company H - Marion County
Company I - Porter County
Company K - White County

 

[mrgrs27]

Congratulations, and you too are welcome to the forums!

James, I see you have an ancestor who served with Cleburne. Was your ancestor at Franklin by any chance? My 3x great grandfather was at Franklin with the 63rd Indiana

 

[James N.]

James, I see you have an ancestor who served with Cleburne. Was your ancestor at Franklin by any chance? My 3x great grandfather was at Franklin with the 63rd Indiana

Unfortunately, he was an illiterate and had to have his pension application filled out by a parish clerk; the only specific battle that was mentioned was misspelled by the clerk (Tennesaw Mountains which must have meant Kennesaw Mountain) where according to Jasper he was "lightly wounded in the left hip."

 

[mrgrs27]

The 33rd Alabama is listed in the Order of Battle for Franklin so I would guess Pvt. Blair would have been there if he recovered from his Kennesaw wound. Half a chance that he and my ancestor exchanged shots at each other either during the Atlanta Campaign or Hood's Tennessee campaign. If that's the case, I'm glad your ancestor did no harm to mine as my 2nd great grandfather was born after the Civil War.