Wabash Valley Visions & Voices: Vigo County Civil War

Vigo County Indiana Civil War Sesquicentennial Project
Indiana was the first state in the Old Northwest Territory to respond to the attack on Fort Sumter by voting to remain in the Union, despite the strong ties between many residents and the Upland South, and to supply men to quell the insurrection. Governor Oliver P. Morton issued the call to arms on April 14, 1861. The State organized 126 regiments of infantry, 13 cavalry regiments and 26 artillery batteries that fought in all major battles in the east and all minor and major engagements in the west. Overall, Indiana contributed 208, 367 men or 15% of its population to the Union cause. Of these 2,130 recruits served in the United States Navy. The majority of Hoosiers participating in the war were volunteers and 11,718 soldiers reenlisted at least once during the war. Indiana’s soldiers comprised 6.75% of the total war casualties with more than 50,000 wounded and 24,416 mortalities. Terre Haute and Vigo County were important centers of population, transportation and commerce during the Civil War era and played a significant role in Indiana’s war effort. Although 60% of the regiments were mustered in Indianapolis, Terre Haute served as a central collection point for the 14th, 43rd, 71st (later part of the 6th Indiana Cavalry), 85th, 124th infantry and the 10th Cavalry regiments, as well as Stewart’s Independent Company Cavalry. In addition, men from Vigo County and west central Indiana enlisted in units mustered at Indianapolis such as the 1st Regiment Heavy Artillery. Camp Harrison in Terre Haute served as a Confederate prison during 1862 and housed 500 prisoners. The items selected for digitization document the 85th Regiment, the experiences of individual soldiers, the service of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Morton Post No. 1.
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Vigo County Indiana Civil War Sesquicentennial Project

Indiana was the first state in the Old Northwest Territory to respond to the attack on Fort Sumter by voting to remain in the Union, despite the strong ties between many residents and the Upland South, and to supply men to quell the insurrection. Governor Oliver P. Morton issued the call to arms on April 14, 1861. The State organized 126 regiments of infantry, 13 cavalry regiments and 26 artillery batteries that fought in all major battles in the east and all minor and major engagements in the west. Overall, Indiana contributed 208, 367 men or 15% of its population to the Union cause. Of these 2,130 recruits served in the United States Navy. The majority of Hoosiers participating in the war were volunteers and 11,718 soldiers reenlisted at least once during the war. Indiana’s soldiers comprised 6.75% of the total war casualties with more than 50,000 wounded and 24,416 mortalities.

Terre Haute and Vigo County were important centers of population, transportation and commerce during the Civil War era and played a significant role in Indiana’s war effort. Although 60% of the regiments were mustered in Indianapolis, Terre Haute served as a central collection point for the 14th, 43rd, 71st (later part of the 6th Indiana Cavalry), 85th, 124th infantry and the 10th Cavalry regiments, as well as Stewart’s Independent Company Cavalry. In addition, men from Vigo County and west central Indiana enlisted in units mustered at Indianapolis such as the 1st Regiment Heavy Artillery. Camp Harrison in Terre Haute served as a Confederate prison during 1862 and housed 500 prisoners.

The items selected for digitization document the 85th Regiment, the experiences of individual soldiers, the service of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Morton Post No. 1.