The regiment mustered into service as the 39th Indiana Infantry Regiment on August 29, 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Stones River. On October 15, 1863, the unit was renamed the 8th Indiana Cavalry.

Shiloh after battle report: Report of Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. SIR: On the 7th instant the Thirty-ninth Regt. of Indiana Volunteers was the last of your command to disembark at Pittsburg Landing. At 10.30 o'clock, guided by the din of battle, we moved upon the field, after being placed in position by yourself. At 11.30 o'clock we moved in line of battle under a galling fire, driving the enemy for a quarter of a mile. Finding our left greatly exposed and in danger of being outflanked, we fell back 150 yards in good order, keeping up a constant fire, when we again advanced under a heavy fire for a quarter of a mile, driving the enemy before us, when the rout became universal, we capturing and turning over 15 prisoners. I regret to announce that Lieut. William R. Phillips, of Company D, fell early in the action at his post. Lieut. Gabriel Woodmansee, of Company K, also received a wound which is thought to be mortal. Many non-commissioned officers and privates were carried off the field dead or wounded, a list of which is herewith furnished.* I take pleasure in referring to the brave and cool conduct of Maj. John D. Evans, with all the company officers present. The non-commissioned officers and privates generally exhibited a deportment worthy of heroes. There were, however, a very few exceptions, who will be left for punishment to the contempt of their brave comrades. THOS. J. HARRISON, Col. Thirty-ninth Regt. Indiana Volunteers. Col. GIBSON, Cmdg. Sixth Brigade. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10 Shiloh after battle report: Report of Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. SIR: On the 7th instant the Thirty-ninth Regt. of Indiana Volunteers was the last of your command to disembark at Pittsburg Landing. At 10.30 o'clock, guided by the din of battle, we moved upon the field, after being placed in position by yourself. At 11.30 o'clock we moved in line of battle under a galling fire, driving the enemy for a quarter of a mile. Finding our left greatly exposed and in danger of being outflanked, we fell back 150 yards in good order, keeping up a constant fire, when we again advanced under a heavy fire for a quarter of a mile, driving the enemy before us, when the rout became universal, we capturing and turning over 15 prisoners. I regret to announce that Lieut. William R. Phillips, of Company D, fell early in the action at his post. Lieut. Gabriel Woodmansee, of Company K, also received a wound which is thought to be mortal. Many non-commissioned officers and privates were carried off the field dead or wounded, a list of which is herewith furnished.* I take pleasure in referring to the brave and cool conduct of Maj. John D. Evans, with all the company officers present. The non-commissioned officers and privates generally exhibited a deportment worthy of heroes. There were, however, a very few exceptions, who will be left for punishment to the contempt of their brave comrades. THOS. J. HARRISON, Col. Thirty-ninth Regt. Indiana Volunteers. Col. GIBSON, Cmdg. Sixth Brigade. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Fielder A. Jones, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. CAMP NEAR MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Thirty-ninth Regt. of Indiana Volunteers since December 25, 1862: Nothing of note occurred after breaking camp near Nashville, Tenn., until the regiment arrived on the field of operations in the enemy's front, near Murfreesborough, Tenn., where it arrived December 30, 1862. On the evening of the same day the First Brigade, to which the regiment belongs, was moved to the extreme right wing of the army, the line of battle of the brigade being nearly at right angles with that of the right wing. I was ordered to detail five companies from the Thirty-ninth Indiana for picket duty during the night. My orders were to join the left of my line with the right of Gen. Kirk, and join my right on the left of the picket line of the Thirty-second, and leave the five reserve companies in line of battle, facing toward my picket line. Companies A, B, C, D, and K were detailed, and, having deployed A, C, and D as skirmishers, with B and K as supports, I joined picket lines with Gen. Kirk and Thirty-second Indiana, as ordered. The following diagram will aid in explaining the operations of the 31st: A, line of battle of right wing; B, position of reserve companies of Thirty-ninth Indiana; dotted line a, Gen. Kirk's pickets; dotted line b, picket line of Thirty-ninth Indiana, distant from the reserve one-half mile; line extends through open corn-field point H to house E; D, fence. About 3 a.m. December 31, 1862, I received orders from Gen. Willich to throw forward one company to patrol the woods F, in our front, and distant about 600 yards. Capt. Herring, acting major, immediately sent Company B forward for that purpose. At early daylight Gen. Willich ordered me, in case there should be any indication that the rebels had placed a battery in our front, to move my picket line at once to the woods F, and hold it till the brigade could give me support. I went immediately to the picket line, and, learning from the patrol that no indication of the enemy had been seen, I was on the point of ordering Company B from the front, when several shots were fired from the pickets on our left, who gave way at the point H, leaving our flank exposed. I ordered Lieut. Stanley to reconnect his line with Gen. Kirk and hold his ground. At the same time I ordered all the company reserves on the picket line, forming a very strong skirmish line. Scarcely had this disposition been made when Kirk's pickets again gave way, and three regiments of rebel infantry, moving abreast in line of battle, were interposed between my picket line and the reserve companies. Many of my men were shot down at their post by the enemy who had moved into their rear. Seeing that the rebel line of battle was oblique to that of our right wing, and supposing that our brigade would either change obliquely on the Thirty-ninth Indiana, or place the batteries in position to enfilade the rebel lines, I, partly to support such a movement, and partly to secure an opportunity to rally the pickets on the reserve, ordered Capt. Herring to move the pickets in double-quick time by the right flank and take position behind the fence D, and open fire on the advancing foe, at the same time sending Lieut. Neal to the house E, to open the fence and show the companies where to commence filing to the right. We succeeded in rallying Company A, and parts of Companies D and K, behind the fence, when the enemy opened upon us a murderous fire. Lieut. Neal fell mortally wounded, and of the few who took position there, nearly one-half were either killed or wounded. Twice did our fire cause the enemy's lines to halt and waver, but he quickly rallied and moved forward. Had we been supported here, either with infantry or artillery, the enemy would have been repulsed with great slaughter. But no support came. Three rebel standards were within 30 feet of the fence when I ordered the men to double-quick to the cedar thicket C, where they again made a stand and covered the retreat of one piece of Goodspeed's battery. Here I first learned that my five reserve companies, under command of Capt. Cody, senior captain, had charged, front forward, on seven companies, and had bravely held their ground until the regiment on their left had given way, when they were forced to abandon their position. They retired in good order for some distance, when their ranks were thrown into confusion by the rush of stragglers through their lines. Seeing our colors at a distance, I ordered the skirmishers to fall back at once and join them. I met Col. Gibson near this point, and we selected a ground on which to rally our two regiments; but ignorance of the topography of the country, and the operations of our cavalry, threw me so far over to the right as to separate me from Col. Gibson and involve me in difficulty with the rebel cavalry, which was swarming on our flank. The division train being threatened by this cavalry, I rallied as many men as possible to its support, and escorted it safely and in good order to the Nashville pike. Here both myself and the other officers did our utmost to file the regiment to the right and join the center of our army; but at this time the panic on the pike was at the highest, and our men were swept away as by a whirlwind, leaving me but a handful of men and officers. With these, after having been under a murderous fire for over eight hours, with our colors lost and men dispirited, I joined Gen. Johnson, near the rear of the center of our army. Had I been better acquainted with the topography of the country I might have saved more men; but hour after hour elapsed, and I received no orders, and I did not even know where to direct my line of retreat; yet every obstacle, thicket, fence, or ravine was taken advantage of, and at no time was our fire relaxed. Our loss was terrible. We had 31 killed, including 1 lieutenant; 118 wounded, including 2 lieutenants, and 231 missing, including 1 captain and 1 lieutenant. Of those reported missing, I have reason to believe that very many are wounded, though, perhaps, slightly. How well the regiment fought let the above fearful list proclaim. Over 30 fell behind the fence D, while opposed to ten times their number, yet no man left his post until ordered. Lieut. Neal, acting adjutant, fell here. No truer gentleman, no better soldier or braver man belongs to the great patriot army. He fell at his post doing his duty. He is no longer with us, but his name is in his country's history and his memory is enshrined in; the hearts of us all who knew him well. Lieut. Leavell was also wounded while in the discharge of his duty. He is a brave man and good officer. Most of the company officers acted manfully. I am under obligations to Capt.'s McCoy, McClelland, Cody, and Graham, Lieut.'s Foote, Stanley, Mitchell, Clark, Hamilton, and Scott for efficient and timely aid. Of Capt. Thomas Herring, acting major, I cannot say too much in his praise. He was always at the post of danger, brave and cool, aiding here in rallying the men and there in directing the fire, so as to make it most effective. He deserves well of his directing the fire, so as to make it most effective. He deserves well of his regiment and his country. Private James Gray, of Company E, behaved nobly. No commissioned officer did more that day to rally the men than he did. He deserves promotion. Sergeants Boyer, Jones, Crozier, Noah W. Downs, Daniel Wilkins, and Mart Mollihan are also worthy of mention. Asst. Surg. John Gray did everything mortal man could do in caring for the wounded, and richly merits the deepest gratitude of the regiment and friends of the wounded. On January 1, 1863, the Forty-ninth Ohio and Thirty-ninth Indiana were consolidated, at the request of the Forty-ninth Indiana were consolidated, at the request of Col. Gibson, commanding brigade, and the request of the officers of the Forty-ninth. I assumed command of the two. My command took an important part in the maneuvering in the right wing on January 1, and also in the bayonet charge of the brigade on the evening of January 1, and also in the bayonet charge of the brigade on the evening of January 2. In this charge the men were in excellent spirits, and never in the history of the two regiments did they fight with greater desperation than on that night. Three men of the Forty-ninth Ohio were wounded by shells thrown from the enemy's batteries. My thanks are due to Capt.'s Hays, Gray, and Tyler; also to Lieut. Kessler and Adjt. C. A. Norton. Their untiring energy and zeal aroused the drooping spirits of the men, and excited enthusiasm out of despondency. Very respectfully, F. A. JONES, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Thirty-ninth Indiana. Capt. CARL SCHMITT, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 315-29 [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]

Thirty-ninth Regiment (8th Cavalry). INDIANA (3-YEARS) Thirty-ninth Regiment (8th Cavalry). Cols., Thomas J. Harrison, Fielder A. Jones; Lieut.-Cols., Fielder A. Jones, Thomas Herring; Majs. John D. Evans, Thomas Herring, Thomas Graham, Charles A. Gordon Justus G. Crowell, Thomas N. Baker, John Leavell. This regiment was organized at Indianapolis and was mustered in on Aug. 29, 1861. It left the state early in September, going into camp at Muldraugh's Hill near Elizabethtown,Ky., and from there moved to Camp Nevin and thence to Camp Wood. It marched to Nashville with Buell's army; moved to the Tennessee River in the spring; was engaged at Shiloh, where it lost 2 killed and 34 wounded; encamped at Shiloh until the movement was made for Corinth; participated in the siege of that place, and at its conclusion marched through northern Alabama to Nashville, thence to Louisville and through Kentucky in pursuit of Bragg. It returned to Louisville in November; accompanied Rosecrans' army to Murfreesboro, was heavily engaged at Stone's River, where it lost 31 killed, 118 wounded and 231 missing; and remained in camp near Murfreesboro until the early summer of 1863. In April 1863, the regiment was mounted and served as 1864. mounted infantry during that year. It reinforced the 2nd Ind. cavalry on the Shelbyvllle road near Murfreesboro in June, in a sharp fight with Wheeler's cavalry; was in skirmishes at Middleton and Liberty gap, and was engaged at Winchester during the movement upon Chattanooga. It participated in the battle of Chickamauga, and then took part in an expedition into East Tennessee. Authority was given to change the regiment from infantry to cavalry, and Cos. L and M were organized in Sept. 1863, joining the command in the field in October, and the regiment was reorganized Oct. 15, as the 8th Ind. cavalry. It was engaged on courier duty between Chattanooga and Ringgold during the winter, and reenlisted as a veteran organization, Feb. 22, 1864, being given a furlough in April. It participated in Rousseau's raid into Alabama, one battalion of the regiment routing a brigade on the Coosa River, and taking several prisoners. It also routed the enemy at Chehaw Station, Ala. It took part in McCook's raid around Atlanta, being the only regiment to preserve its organization, and made a charge which routed the enemy and opened the way for the escape of 1,200 of McCook's command. It was in Kilpatrick s raid into Georgia, leading the charge of the left wing at Lovejoy's Station, riding over Ross' division of Confederate cavalry and capturing all his artillery and 4 battleflags. It was also engaged in the battle of Jonesboro, at Flint River, and in several skirmishes following the capture of Atlanta. In the campaigns to Savannah and through the Carolinas, it participated in battles and skirmishes at Waynesboro, Buckhead Church, Brown's Cross-Roads, Reynolds' Plantation, Aiken, Averasboro, Bentonville and Raleigh. At Averasboro it charged and routed Rhett's South Carolina brigade of infantry -ten times its number -losing 14 killed and 59 wounded. A detachment left in Tennessee, fought Wheeler at Franklin and at other points, and was in a severe engagement at Pulaski with Forrest's cavalry. At Savannah, Feb. 20, 1865, the veterans and recruits of the 3d Ind. cavalry were transferred to and consolidated with the 8th. The last battle in North Carolina was fought at Morrisville, where the 8th cavalry whipped Hampton's entire force. It was on duty in North Carolina, until July 20, 1865, when it was mustered out. The original strength was 1,208; gain by recruits, 902; reenlistments, 305. It lost 56 by desertion: 137 were unaccounted for, and it lost heavily in killed and wounded. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Thirty-ninth Indiana (Mounted) Infantry. HDQRS. THIRTY-NINTH REGT. INDIANA VOLS. Chattanooga, September 28, 1863., On Thursday evening, 17th instant, I was ordered with my regiment to Bailey's Cross-Roads, in McLemore's Cove, which is opposite gaps were occupied at the time by a strong force of the enemy. About 3 p. m. my regiment was attacked by a brigade of rebel cavalry at Davis'Ford, on Chickamauga Creek. The fight lasted two hours. The field was left in our possession. We had 2 men slightly wounded; none killed. The enemy had 2 killed, one of whom was Col. Estes, of the Third Confederate Cavalry, and 8 wounded. On the next day we skirmished at the Widow Davis' Cross-Roads, retaining the ground without loss. The enemy's loss unknown. On the night of the 18th instant we were ordered to Pond Spring. On the morning of the 19th, were directed to protect the right and rear of Gen. Sheridan's division. My regiment was delayed in its movements by demonstrations made by the enemy on the La Fayette and Ringgold roads, thereby throwing us in rear of Gen. Mitchell's cavalry. Abut meridian, the enemy attacked our right flank, and succeeded in cutting off the Second Indiana Cavalry, the cavalry train and my regiment from the main body of troops. But after considerable fighting, we drove the enemy and rejoined our army; we reached Crawfish Spring at sunset. I learned that our soldiers on the field were suffering greatly for water. I directed my regiment to press all the canteens that could be found, and, with our own, we were enabled to deliver 1,000 canteens of water by midnight to our suffering soldiers on the battle-field. On Sunday, the 20th, we were again assigned a position on the extreme right of the infantry. Dismounting, we moved our horses to a secure position in the rear. At 11 a. m. we moved forward, meeting an advancing enemy. Col. Laiboldt's brigade, of Gen. Sheridan's division, was on our left; Col. Wilder's mounted infantry on our right. The enemy met us at the top of a high ridge, and neither party discovered the other until within 30 paces. The struggle was brief, but desperate; yet the enemy was unable to withstand our Spencer rifles, and gave way, running in disorder before both Col. Wilder's and my commands. At the same time Col. Laiboldt's command was driven back, entirely changing the direction of our line and bringing the enemy directly between us and our army, entirely cutting Col. Wilder and myself off. At that juncture we were ordered to take a train, which was also cut off, and make our way in the direction of Lookout Mountain and thence to Chattanooga, which we did, reaching the neighborhood of Chattanooga at dark. On the evening of the 21st I was ordered to take position with my regiment on Missionary Hill, 5 miles east of Chattanooga, and to hold the enemy in check as long as I could safely do so. On reaching the ridge I found the Forty-fourth Indiana and Thirteenth Ohio occupying the same position I was directed to hold. I arranged the three regiments to the best advantage, and on the next morning at 10 o'clock a division of the enemy attacked us. Company B, commanded by Lieut. Noble; Company C, Capt. Crowell; Company D, Capt. Herring, and Company F, temporarily commanded by Dr. Connett, received and withstood the attack for some time. But I thought it best to draw them back on the reserve line, where the action became general. Lieut.-Col. Aldrich, in command of the Forty-fourth Indiana, made a gallant fight; and I am pleased to call attention to the conduct of Lieut. Norvell, in command of Company H, of my regiment. Late in the evening, the superior force of the enemy, enabling him to outflank us, compelled a retreat; In these engagements we had 5 men killed and 32 wounded. Capt. Potts was wounded on the 20th, and fell into the hands of the enemy. Lieut.'s Garboden and Clark were both wounded. I was much pleased with the gallant conduct of Maj. J. D. Evans and Adjutant Fortner. Drs. Gray and Connett acquitted themselves with honor in their department. My line officers all discharged their duty in a most commendable manner. My non-commissioned officers and private soldiers were generally prompt and brave. All of which I respectfully submit. THOMAS J. HARRISON, Col. Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteers. [Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON,] [Indorsement.] HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, September 29, 1863. Respectfully forwarded, commending Col. Harrison, his officers, and men, for their good and gallant conduct. R. W. JOHNSON, Brig.-Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 547-50 KY., SW. VA. TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Indiana 8th Cavalry Battalion (Union)

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