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20th Indiana Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this regiment’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: July 22, 18611
Muster Out: July 12, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel William C. L. Taylor
Commander Image

Colonel William Orr
Commander Image

Captain John W. Shafer
Commander Image

Lieutenant Colonel George W. Meikel
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Lieutenant Colonel Albert S. Andrews
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army3,4

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army7,8

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army12,13

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel George W. Meikel (July 31, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army15,16

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel George W. Meikel (August 31, 1864)17
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army18,19

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army24,25

  • Commander: Major William Orr (October 31, 1864)26
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Received members of the 19th Indiana Infantry in a consolidation on either October 13 or 18, 1864.27

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army28 ,29

  • Commander: Major William Orr (December 31, 1864)30
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This regiment participated in Warren’s Stony Creek, or “Apple Jack” Raid to Belfield and Hicksford, Virginia in mid-December 1864.31

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union32,33,34

  • Commander:
    • Colonel William Orr (January 31, 1865)35
    • Lieutenant Colonel Albert S. Andrews (February 28, 1865)36
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.37

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39

  • Commander: Captain John W. Shafer (March 31, 1865)40
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles41:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864 to April 2, 1865.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon R. R., June 22-23, 1864.
  • Demonstration on North side of the James July 27-29.
  • Deep Bottom July 28-29.
  • Demonstration on North side of the James at Deep Bottom August 13-20.
  • Strawberry Plains August 14-18.
  • Ream’s Station August 25.
  • The Chimneys September 10.
  • Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2.
  • Yellow House October 2-5.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • Raid on Weldon Railroad December 7-12.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Watkins’ House March 25.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Vaughan Road, near Hatcher’s Run, March 29.
  • Crow’s House March 31.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Sailor’s Creek April 6.
  • Farmville April 7.
  • Appomattox Court House April 9.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    3. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 221
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 544
    5. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 43; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    6. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 43; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p,. 221
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 544
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 544
    10. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 43; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    11. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 43; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 253
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 731
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 731
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 118: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)”
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    18. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1299.
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 138: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)”
    20. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 39; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    21. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 39; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    22. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 20th Indiana Entry, Page 39; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
    23. Young, Henry F. “Camp 7th Wis Vet Vols.” Received by Dear Delia, Near Fort Howard Va, 13 October 1864, Petersburg, VA.: Henry F. Young, a member of the 7th Wisconsin, a sister regiment of the Iron Brigade, wrote a letter home that the 19th Indiana moved to consolidate with the 20th Indiana on October 13, 1864, the same day he wrote the letter.
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 154: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864”
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    27. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3): Dyer claims October 18 as the date.
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1116: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    29. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60).
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1116: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    31. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60).
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 326: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 740: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 64: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)”
    35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 326: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 740: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    37. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 64: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)”
    38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 568: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 583: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 568: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    41. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
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