58th at STRI PDF White

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The 58th Indiana Infantr

The Battle ofStones River

Dec 30th, 1862 - Jan2nd, 1863

Kraig W. McNuttDirector, Center for the Study

of the American Civil War

[email protected]

Tuesday, April 3, 12
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Indiana in the Civil War

208,000 men from Indiana fought to preservethe Union.

141 regiments of infantry; 16 cav; 26 arty

Fought in 17 states, mostly western theater.

24,000 Indiana soldiers killed/wounded.



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Gibson County boys in

the 58th Indiana Company B - 97 Company A - 73 Company C - 66

Company D - 42 Company K - 29

1,000 make a Regt.

10 companies.

First 200-300 fromforming county



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The Origins of Camp Gibson

Early October 1862, grounds given over for militaryuse, according to board member Dr. W.W. Blair.

Location near present-day North Embree Street.

15 acres in 1860 in what was known as EmbreeWoods.

Housed in makeshift barracks and tents. Usedexisting buildings, sheds & barns. The present-day merchant buildings are likely the

location of the original camp tent hospital.Tuesday, April 3, 12


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The 58th Musters In

The 58th formed and drilled from mid Oct til earlyDec 1861.

Mustered in on November 12, 1861.

Several recruits were entire families, including thefather (e.g., Gudgels - father plus five sons).

First recruit from the county? Dr. Samuel E.Munford. Company B (58th) made up of a contingency of

Indiana Home Guards who had organized back inTuesday, April 3, 12


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Relatives in the 58th IN

At least twenty relativesserved in the 58th. All were from multi-family

units serving. Gudgels - father and his five

sons (3 in the 58th).

Witherspoons - five sons (allin the 58th). 3/20 died in the Civil War.

Andrew Gudgel, father



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58th IN Death and Casualty Stats

Close to 250 of the 58th IN boys died in the war. More 58th boys died at STRI (33) than any other

place.

A combined 61 of the 58th boys died at STRI orNashville.

About 20 of the 58th boys died when sent home. Stops in Bardstown and Lebanon (fall 61) resulted in

lots of deaths (46), probably due to disease.

Five of the 58th boys died in the Carolinas, last days.



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58th IN deaths (by place)

1. Stones River - 33 2. Nashville - 28. 3. Chickamauga - 24 4. Lebanon, KY - 24

5. Bardstown, KY - 21

6. Savannah - 14

7. Unknown - 14

8. Louisville - 10

9. Bowling Green - 9

10. Chattanooga - 7



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58th IN deaths (by States)

1. Tennessee - 73

2. Kentucky - 69 3. Georgia - 44 4. Indiana - 20

5. Unknown - 14

6. Miss. - 10

7. Alabama - 5

8. North Car. - 5



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Top Ten Things to Know About the 58th

at Stones River (STRI)

1. STRI was the first real significant combat actionthe 58th saw.

2. The 58th fought next to several other Indianaunits at STRI: 57th, 40th, 15th, 51st, 73rd Infantries;

and the 8th & 10th Indiana Batteries.

3. The 58ths hospital and surgeon were capturedat STRI.



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4. Several letters survive from 58th IN soldierswho fought at STRI.

5. The 58ths Regimental history was written byJohn J. Hight, compiled by Gil Stormont.

6. Several 58th IN soldiers are buried in theNational Cemetery at STRI.



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Abraham, Jones was fromBovine, Indiana. He wasone of 19 enlisted menkilled at Stone's River.Jones was a member of

Company D.

John Vannagoner was oneof 19 enlisted men killeda t S t o n e ' s R i v e r .V a n n a g o n e r w a s amember of Company B.

Henry McCoy was from Eureka,Indiana. He was one of 19 enlistedmen killed from the 58th Indiana. Hewas a member of Co F.

58th Indiana boys buried at STRI



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7. The 58th saw most of their action on the far leftUnion flank (Hells Half-acre).

8. The 58th had roughly 400 men engaged at STRI.

9. The 58th lost 20 killed and scores wounded atSTRI, probably 80-100.

10. The 58th played a vital role at STRI.



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Nashville & Chattanooga RR, looking north



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Position of 58th IN / battery facing East in HellsHalf Acre, or the Round Pen



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Tools of the Trade



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anuar 3rd, 1863

We have had three days of terrible fighting here and thecontest not yet decided. But our men are veryhopeful . . . . How thankful we should be. God grant thesoldier's protection. I think our army will be successful.William Munford [wounded] slightly. Milton Munfordtaken prisoner, but he will be returned in a few days oras soon as the fight is over. Elias Skelton & Henry Curlkilled. 102 killed and wounded in the 58th. About 20killed the rest wounded in our division. I have that many

under my care. Oh my dear it is terrible beyonddescription. It is astonishing to see anybody come outalive. Dearest we should be thankful that my life so farhas been spared. . . . Dr. Holtzman was captured. - Dr.



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Gen. Milo Hascalls Recollections



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William Archer G.A.R. Post #28



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John J. Hights account of the 58th Indiana, Dec 31st

The 58th was ordered back to join the Division, which was to follow Van Cleve, Harkers Brigade was in advance ofWoods Division, and was nearly all across the river when our movement was arrested by news of disaster on the right. Afierce battle had been raging there for about two hours, and from the sound it was evidently getting nearer. Could it be thatour lines were giving way? This question was soon answered to our mortification and sorrow in the affirmative. Flying

couriers brought the news that the right of our army was broken and was being driven back. Hight, 114. Everything indicated that the condition of things was exceedingly critical. The field in the rear of our line, where all was

quiet a short time before, was suddenly turned into a scene of wildest confusion. Shot and shell from the rebel batterieswere plowing up the ground all around us, and wagons, teams, ambulances, etc., were flying about seeking places of safety.The usual compliment of camp followers were panic stricken and were making frantic efforts to get out of reach of theenemys shells.

Our orders for crossing the river were countermanded, and we were turned face about and sent to the support of theright and center. Harkers Brigade was the first to get into action. Our Brigade was moved back into the open field andcharged front several times. Meanwhile the conflict increased in fury and the victorious enemy was gradually crowding ourtroops back. We could not see them, for the battle was still hid by the cedar forest. But we could hear the defiant rebelyell as they charged upon our retreating columns. The stragglers and wounded were hurrying past us to the rear. . . .

The men in our ranks were becoming uneasy and demoralized on account on the confusion, and because of our changingfront so many times. By this time we were almost entirely surrounded and the rebel shells were coming from everydirection.

captured or be made to turn back to Nashville in a humiliating retreat.Although the 58th had been under fire for two hours or more there had not been a gun fired by the Regiment up to this

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