Services Performed by the Invalid Corps – 17th 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.

17th Regiment

Organized January 12, 1864, by consolidation of the 26th, 76th, 102nd, 119th, 123rd, 124th, 131st, 132nd, 133rd and 139th Companies, 1st Battalion. Mustered out by detachments July 3 to November 14, 1865.

On duty during the year at Indianapolis, Ind., patrolling the city, guarding U.S. arsenal, State arsenal, and Government store-houses, and conducting men to the front. Forwarded 1,300 conscripts, 1,335 deserters, 3,400 recruits, 3,062 stragglers, 1,040 convalescents; total, 10,137; escapes, 56. Nineteen of the escaped men were lost by one officer, who was court-martialled by the commandant of the regiment, but permitted to send in his resignation. General duty very severe; men sometimes on guard for sixty hours. During one period of eight days the average detail for guard was one-half the regiment. Officers generally on double duty.

Reference:

The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies – https://archive.org/details/warrebellionaco17offigoog/page/n578