Services Performed by the Invalid Corps – 5th Regiment

These posts are part of a larger series highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of the Invalid Corps/Veteran Reserve Corps during the Civil War. This post only captures some of the activities of individual regiments. Clearly, this is an area ripe for additional research.

5th Regiment

Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., October 10, 1863, by consolidation of the 33rd, 35th, 36th, 40th, 44th, 45th, 109th, 149th, 152nd and 154th Companies, 1st Battalion. Mustered out July 2 to November 23, 1865, by detachments.

Duty in the West. Headquarters at Indianapolis, Ind. Has guarded Government property and the rebel prisoners at Camp Morton, the latter averaging 4,000 present. Prisoners frequently planned outbreaks; several shot in the attempt to escape. Service severe; men on guard duty every other day; at one time patrol added to the ordinary guard; a battery of mountain howitzers manned by the regiment; officers and men sleeping on their arms for two weeks. Four companies aided in breaking up the Chicago plot. Frequent details to arrest disloyal men and conduct soldiers to the front. During February, March, and April 2,000 prisoners escorted to City Point for exchange. The regiment complimented for its services in a letter written by the adjutant-general of the State.

Reference:

The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies – https://archive.org/details/warrebellionaco17offigoog/page/n574