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Jim Martin
Eighty-seventh Infantry INDIANA
(3-YEARS)
Eighty-seventh Infantry. -- Cols., Kline G. Shryock, Newell
Gleason Lieut.-Cols., Newell Gleason, Thomas Sumner, Edwin P.
Hammond, Majs., Thomas Sumner, Edwin P. Hammond, Richard C.
Sabin.
This regiment was organized at South Bend and was mustered in
at Indianapolis Aug. 31, 1862. It left the state the same day
for Louisville where it was assigned to Burbridge's brigade,
but was transferred on Oct. 1 to the 3d brigade, 3d division,
14th army corps, and took part in Buell's Kentucky campaign.
It was engaged at Springfield and Perryville; encamped near
Mitchellville, Tenn., in November, and afterward occupied
camps at Tunnel Hill, Pilot Knob and Gallatin. On Jan. 29,
1863, it moved to the south of Nashville and was engaged in a
skirmish at Chapel Hill. Col. Shryock resigned on Mar. 28,
and Lieut.Col. Gleason was promoted colonel in his place.
In June it engaged in the campaign against Tullahoma and was
under fire at Hoover's Gap. It then marched to the Tennessee
River; participated in the movement against Chattanooga; took
a conspicuous part at Chickamauga, where it lost 40 killed,
142 wounded, and 8 missing, over half its numbers engaged; and
was in Chattanooga during the siege.
On the reorganization of the Army of the Cumberland, it formed
a part of the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 14th corps. It was in
the front line in the storming of Missionary Ridge and joined
the pursuit of the enemy to Ringgold, participated in the
expedition against Dalton, and was in a skirmish at Buzzard
Roost.
It was in camp at Ringgold until May 7, when it joined the
Atlanta movement and participated at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca
Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, the
engagements at Atlanta, Utoy Creek, and Jonesboro. It was in
camp at Atlanta until October, and then took part in the
pursuit of Hood through northern Georgia, marching as far as
Gaylesville, Ala.
It then returned to Atlanta and left on Nov. 16 with the 14th
corps for Milledgeville. It was in a skirmish with Wheeler's
cavalry near Sandersville and again near Waynesboro. Upon
reaching Savannah it took part in the siege, remained there
until Jan. 30, 1865, when it joined the movement through the
Carolinas.
It reached Goldsboro with the army, remaining in camp there
until April 10, 1865. It took part in the capture of
Smithville and from there it proceeded to Raleigh, thence to
Holly Springs, and after the surrender of Johnston marched to
Richmond and then to Washington, where it participated in the
grand review.
It was mustered out at Washington June 10, 1865, and the
recruits were transferred to the 42nd Ind. serving with that
regiment until its muster out in July.
The original strength of the 87th was 945; gain by recruits,
302; total, 1,247. Loss by death, 268; desertion, 29;
unaccounted for, 7.
Source: Union Army, vol. 3, p. 165
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Report of Col. Newell Gleason, Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry.
HDQRS. EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGT. INDIANA Volunteers,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 1, 1863.
CAPT.: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters, I have
the honor to report the part performed by the Eighty-seventh Regiment
Indiana Volunteers in the battle of Chattanooga, commencing on the
23d day of November and ending on the night of the 25th; also, the
pursuit after the enemy to Ringgold, Ga.
My regiment, being supplied with 100 rounds of cartridges to the man,
was held ready to march at a moment's notice during the 23d day of
November. Marching orders were received about 4 p. m. I moved my
command without delay, and formed in line of battle with the brigade
in front of the works, on about the center of the line before
Chattanooga. The brigade being formed, marched to the front in line of
battle, pressing the enemy's pickets slightly back. Having halted, the
men were allowed to stack arms and rest. The brigade remained here
until about 11 o'clock on the morning of the 25th. During said time
Lookout Mountain was taken in a magnificent charge, and a good deal
of hard fighting done on the left of our line. About the time above
mentioned, the brigade moved slowly by the left flank in such a manner
as to bring it to the left and in front of Fort Wood. Resting a short time,
the advance was made by the flank and in line of battle toward the
enemy's lines, until coming within about three-quarters of a mile of the
front line of works occupied by the enemy, when the brigade was halted
and formed in the following order, viz: Eighty-seventh Indiana on the
right, Thirty-fifth Ohio in the center, and One hundred and first Indiana
on the left of the front line; Seventy-fifth Indiana on the right, Ninth
Ohio in the center, and One hundred and fifth Ohio on the left, forming
the second line, the Second Minnesota being in front,
deployed as skirmishers. The brigade was ordered to stack arms and lie
down, resting until about 3.30 p. m., when, an advance being ordered,
the line moved forward to within about one-third of a mile of the
enemy's breastworks. On the approach of the skirmishers the rebels left
their lower works and scattered up the slope of the ridge, fighting as
they retired. The lines being dressed up, a charge was ordered, and
never did troops show more determination or greater valor. They ran,
under a heavy fire of shot and shell, to the enemy's lower line of works,
and took shelter and rested about half an hour. The enemy's fire upon
this position was terrific. The charge from these breastworks up the hill
to the crest of the ridge was first begun by the brigade upon our right,
the character of the ground requiring it. While we were yet in the
works, a staff officer came galloping it. While we were yet in the
works, a staff officer came galloping up in rear of my regiment,
ordering the charge. Many men jumped over the works and were going
forward. I asked the officer who he was; said he belonged to Gen.
Wood's staff. I told him Col. Van Derveer commanded this brigade,
and could be found farther to the left. I then ordered the men behind the
works and await orders from their own officers. Soon orders came from
our brigade commander to charge. The command was repeated along the
line, and, with renewed energy, the men rushed forward under a terrible
fire, ascended the ridge, entered the enemy's works-being a distance of
nearly half a mile-captured the artillery in the fort immediately in front,
it being the second point taken on that part of the ridge. The colors of
the Eighty-seventh Indiana, Thirty-fifth Ohio, Second Minnesota, and
One hundred and first Indiana were planted on the ridge at so nearly the
same time that it would be difficult to designate the one first there.
Capt. Ellis and Lieut. Vandever, of my regiment, and several line
officers of the other regiments above named, together with the men who
first gained the summit with their colors, formed and led the charge
along the ridge to the left, gained the next point, and dashed farther on
to the left, nearly along the whole front of the Third Brigade.
In making the charge along the ridge the fighting was desperate, and
those engaged particularly distinguished themselves. Among these were
Capt. Ellis, Lieut. Vandever, and about 20 noncommissioned
officers and privates of my regiment. In this daring charge I lost 2 men
killed, one of whom was Corporal Deacon, Company K, a dashing,
gallant soldier, and a very worthy young man.
My color bearer, Corpl. Henry Platt, is worthy of special notice; he
carried the colors into the thickest of the fight, the staff being shot twice
with musket-balls. The color guards acted bravely. All, officers and
men, behaved nobly, and proudly sustained the character of the
regiment.
My loss was 2 killed and 13 wounded. Among the wounded were
Lieut.'s Leiter, Company F, and Russell, Company C, both brave
officers. The latter was mortally wounded, and died November 29,
1863. In the death of First Lieut. Burr Russell, the regiment and the
country have lost a gallant and efficient officer.
I cannot fail to acknowledge the assistance of Adjt. J. E. Selleck, having
no field officer present; also my regimental surgeon, Charles E.
Triplett, as I am informed he labored faithfully at the hospital in his
attentions to the wounded.
About 3 p. m. on the 26th instant, the brigade moved along the ridge
toward Ringgold, and bivouacked that night near Chickamauga Creek.
On the morning of the 27th instant, the march was continued, our forces
reaching Ringgold about 12 m. There was hard fighting in the gap and
on the ridge in our front; our brigade was formed in line of battle ready
for action, but was not engaged. Remaining in bivouac (the men
suffering much for want of clothing) until about 11 a. m. on the 29th
instant, we were ordered to march, and arrived at Chattanooga about
dark, all feeling that though hardships had been endured a great work
had been accomplished.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. GLEASON,
Col. Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers.
[Capt. JOHN R. BEATTY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLIII.] THE CHATTANOOGA-RINGGOLD CAMPAIGN. PAGE 531-55
[Series I. Vol. 31. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 55.]
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Reports of Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Hammond, Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry.
HDQRS. EIGHTY-SEVENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., August 16, 1864.
CAPT.: In compliance with orders I received from brigade headquarters,
I have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of this regiment from the commencement of the campaign
up to the 6th of the present month:
On the morning of the 7th of May, 1864, the Eighty-seventh
Indiana Volunteers, then commanded by Col. N. Gleason, moved
forward from Ringgold in the direction of Tunnel Hill, near
which place we remained, participating in the movements of the
brigade in front of Buzzard Roost until the 12th, when we moved
to the right and passed through Snake Creek Gap. Moving
forward on the 13th and 14th, in the evening of the latter day
we took position on a ridge in front of the enemy's works at Resaca.
On the 15th we moved about two miles to the right and
halted in reserve on the left of the Fifteenth Corps. The enemy
evacuated his works during the night. On the 16th we moved into
Resaca, and remained till the 17th, when we moved forward, crossing
the river, and continuing the march till the 19th, when we halted on
the railroad, two miles south of Kingston. We remained at this
place till the 23d, when we moved to the right, crossing the Etowah
River, and going into camp five miles this side of the same. On the
26th, the wagon train being placed under the guard of our brigade, we
moved forward with it to a place on the road near Burnt Hickory.
This regiment on the 27th guarded the train to the front on Pumpkin
Vine Creek, and, returning two miles, camped over night, and
the following day, with the balance of the brigade, guarded another
train to the front. On the 29th we moved back to Burnt Hickory,
and remained till June 1, when we moved near the front of the enemy's
position at Dallas. We moved to the front the following day
and relieved troops of the First Division of this corps. Here we had
considerable skirmishing with the enemy. On the 6th, the enemy
having evacuated his position during the night, we moved forward
a few miles, went in camp, and remained till the 10th, when we
marched in the direction of Kenesaw Mountain. We moved to the
left on the 11th, and remained in camp till the 14th. We moved
forward in line of battle on this day, a detail from the regiment
being upon the skirmish line. We lost 1 man killed and 1 wounded.
Moving forward about one-half mile on the 15th, we formed in the
second line of the brigade and intrenched. After remaining in this
position till the 17th we moved forward about three-fourths of a
mile, and took position in the first line. Moving forward again on
the 18th, we wheeled to the left, formed in the second line, and made
works. Being exposed to the enemy's fire of artillery and musketry
during this day, we had 2 men severely wounded. It being discovered
on the morning of the 19th that the enemy abandoned his works
in our front, we moved forward till we came up to his position on
Kenesaw Mountain; formed in the first line and intrenched. There
was skirmishing and heavy cannonading at this place. On the night
of the 22d, the brigade moving a short distance to the right, three
companies of this regiment were placed in an advanced and exposed
position. The balance of the regiment formed in the second line.
Heavy skirmishing and cannonading continued day and night. On
the 26th Col. Gleason was assigned to the command of the brigade,
and I assumed command of this regiment. We moved to
the right three miles this day, and on the following day with this
division supported the Second Division in an unsuccessful charge
up in the enemy's works. On the evening of 30th we moved to
the right and occupied a part of the works of the Twentieth Corps,
which had just moved still farther to the right.
The enemy evacuating his works at Kenesaw Mountain on the
night of July 2, we moved forward on the 3d, passing to the right
of Marietta, and halting some four miles south of that place. On
the 4th we returned with the brigade to Marietta, where we remained
till the 13th, my command performing provost duty. We then
marched to the Chattahoochee River and went into camp near the
railroad bridge. Crossing the river on pontoon bridges on the 17th,
and moving forward on the 18th and 19th, we crossed Peach Tree
Creek on the evening of the latter date, formed in the first line, and
fortified on the morning of the 20th we moved forward a short
distance and, being much exposed to the fire of the enemy's skirmishers,
Lieut. Leiter and 3 men of this regiment received
severe wounds. About noon we moved to the right to a less exposed
position, our brigade being relieved from the front, where we remained
until the evening of the following day, when we moved to
the front under the fire of the enemy's skirmishers, and formed in the
first line. During the night the enemy evacuated his works in our
front and fell back to his fortifications around Atlanta. Moving up
in front of that city on the 22d, we formed in the second line and intrenched.
We remained in this position till August 3, when we moved
to the right five miles, took position in the first line and made works.
In the afternoon of the 4th, moving in the first line of the brigade,
we made a reconnaissance to the front, and while advancing under
the fire of the enemy's musketry and artillery, my command lost 1
killed and 16 wounded. After it became sufficiently dark to conceal
our movements we retired to our works. We advanced again on the
5th, assisted in the capture of about 100 prisoners, and, wheeling to
the left, formed in the second line. We had scarcely commenced
our works before the enemy opened upon us from several of his
batteries, giving us a terrible shelling, but we held our position and
continued with the construction of our works. We lost this day 1
killed and 1 severely wounded. Several others were injured from
fragments of shells, but not disabled. Nothing of special importance
occurred on the 6th.
On the 7th of May, when we left Ringgold, the aggregate effective
force of this regiment was 357. Our casualties have been as follows:
Killed--enlisted men, 3. Wounded--commissioned officers, 1;
enlisted men, 23. Sent to the rear from sickness--commissioned
officers, 2; enlisted men, 91.
I cannot commend too highly the patience and cheerfulness with
which, the officers and men of my command have performed their
duties during the present campaign, nor praise too greatly their
good conduct at all times in the presence and under the fire of the
enemy. Where all have behaved so well it would be out of place to
mention particular instances of gallant conduct. It is, however, but
justice to Maj. Sabin, and no exception can be taken to the statement,
to say that he has at several times in our advance upon the
enemy's works had command of the skirmish line of the brigade,
and that he has on all occasions displayed a bravery and skill which
have rendered his operations entirely successful.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. P. HAMMOND,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Eighty-seventh Indiana Vols.
Capt. S. FORTNER,
A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 3d Div., 14th Army Corps.
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HDQRS. EIGHTY-SEVENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., September 9, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations
of this command since August 7, 1864, the date to which my
last report was made:
At that time my command occupied a position in the second line
of the brigade, which was in the front near the enemy's works at
Utoy Creek. Our pickets were constantly engaged, and we were
exposed to an almost incessant fire from the enemy's batteries. On
Sunday, the 7th of August, an attempt was made to advance the
skirmish line, which was unsuccessful on account of the near proximity
of our picket-line with the enemy's fortifications and rifle-pits.
One man of my command was wounded. On the night of the 10th
of August, the brigade forming in one line, I moved up and took
position on the right of the Seventy-fifth Indiana, relieving the
Eighty-fifth Illinois. Our position here was much exposed, being
within short range of the enemy's works and unmasked by an open
field. The firing, however, between the pickets ceased for several
days by the tacit consent of each party. During this cessation of
hostilities, quite a number of the enemy, availing themselves of the
opportunity so favorably presented, deserted and came through our
lines. A demonstration being made along the line on the 18th, the
men of my command fired from their works. This continued for
two hours, when the firing ceased. In the front of my line, after this
engagement, several of the enemy's wounded were observed being
carried off by the stretcher-bearers, though their loss could not
have been great as their works afforded them almost perfect protection.
Before daylight on the morning of the 19th my command
was relieved by troops from the Thirty-eighth Ohio, and moved with
the brigade a short distance to the right and rear, where we remained
till after dark in the evening, when we returned and occupied our
former position. The following day I sent four companies to occupy
the line of the Thirty-first Ohio a few rods to the right, while
that regiment was withdrawn from the line. It came back in the
evening, and the companies referred to returned to their positions
in the regiment. During the 22d of August we were much annoyed
by the firing of the enemy's sharpshooters, who partially enfiladed
our works from the left. Lieut. John Demuth, of Company C, an
excellent officer, received a mortal wound and died in a few moments.
We left our position here at 2 o'clock in the morning August 27,
and with the army commenced the movement which resulted in the
taking of the Atlanta and Macon Railroad, and the evacuation of
Atlanta by the enemy. In the successful charge of the Fourteenth
Corps, September 1, on the works of the enemy at Jonesborough,
this brigade acting as a supporting column, my command took position
on the right in the first line, and advanced with the troops in
our front until the enemy was routed, and it became too dark to proceed
farther. September 2, we moved a short distance down the
railroad. My command was employed in the afternoon in tearing
up and destroying the iron and cross-ties. We marched a mile to
the east in the evening, and going in camp remained till the 5th,
when we started back to this place and arrived here on the 8th.
The following table will show the effective strength of this regiment
on the 7th of May, 1864, the day we left Ringgold, the casualties
from battle and disease during the campaign, and the present
effective strength of the regiment:
Effective force May 7--officers, 22; enlisted men, 335.
Casualties: wounded--officers, 2; enlisted men, 21. Sent to rear
sick--officers, 2; enlisted men, 83. Killed in action--officers, 1;
enlisted men, 3.
Effective force September 7--officers, 17; enlisted men, 230.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. P. HAMMOND,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Eighty-seventh Indiana Vols.
Capt. C. A. CILLEY,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 3d Div. 14th Army Corps.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. L.] REPORTS, ETC.--ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND. PAGE 795-72
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 72.]
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Report of Maj. Richard C. Sabin, Eighty-seventh
Indiana Infantry, of operations January 20-March 25.
HDQRS. EIGHTY-SEVENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Goldsborough, N. C., March 28 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the campaign ending
at Goldsborough, N. C., on the 25th day of March, 1865:
The regiment left camp at Savannah, Ga., on the 20th day of January,
1865, and moved out on the Augusta road about eight miles and went
into camp, where it remained until the morning of the 25th, when it
moved in the direction of Springfield, Ga., where it arrived on the
evening of the 27th; from this point it moved in the direction of Sister's
Ferry, arriving on the afternoon of the 28th.
We remained in this camp until the morning of the 5th of February,
during which time the pontoons were laid across the Savannah River,
and the roads sufficiently repaired for crossing. On the morning of the
5th we crossed the river and camped near the ferry on the opposite
shore. There we remained until the morning of the 7th, when we
moved in the direction of Robertsville and Brighton and camped near the
latter place. At this point the regiment was ordered to guard the division
trains, upon which duty it remained until the 25th day of March, when
it arrived at Goldsborough, N. C., and rejoined the brigade.
While with the trains the duties were arduous and unpleasant during the
greater portion of the time, the weather being inclement and the roads
bad. The regiment was required to perform much labor and make many
night marches.
The casualties in the regiment during the campaign were as follows: 1
enlisted man died of disease January 25, 1865; and 5 enlisted men
captured by the enemy March 3, 1865.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. C. SABIN,
Maj., Cmdg. Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers.
Capt. S. FORTNER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gem., 2d Brig., 3d Div., 14th Army Corps.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. LIX.] THE CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS. PAGE 564-98
[Series I. Vol. 47. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 98.]