The 13th Indiana Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in the state of Indiana during the American Civil War. The regiment, like many other units in the Union Army was originally raised as infantry and designated as the 131st Indiana Infantry Regiment, however, the regiment would later be converted to cavalry. The 13th Indiana Cavalry was the last and final regiment of cavalry raised in the state of Indiana during the war.
Recruiting for the regiment began as early as September, 1863. The regiment was organized in Indianapolis, Kokomo, and New Albany from December 23, 1863, to April 29, 1864, with Gilbert M. L. Johnson elected as the regiment's Colonel. Johnson had previously served with the 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment and had briefly served as the Lieutenant Colonel of the 11th Indiana Cavalry Regiment.
The regiment left Indiana for Nashville, Tennessee as dismounted cavalry armed with infantry muskets on April 30, 1864. The regiment was stationed at Nashville until May 31, 1864, when it was ordered to Huntsville, Alabama where it would be garrisoned until November,1864. The regiment repulsed Confederate General Abraham Buford II's attack on Huntsville from September 30-October 1, 1864. After this period the regiment was split into 2 battalions.
On October 16, 1864, companies A, C, D, F, H, and I moved to Louisville in order to draw horses and equipment for the regiment. The regiment moved to Nashville and to La Vergne on November 30, 1864. On December 1, 1864, companies A, C, D, F, H, and I moved to Murfreesboro and then to Owens Cross Roads. Companies A, C, D, F, H, and I of the 13th Indiana Cavalry were involved in the Third Battle of Murfreesboro from December 5âÂÂ12, 1864. Companies A, C, D, F, H, and I were later stationed at Murfreesboro from December 8âÂÂ9 and again from December 13âÂÂ14. The companies moved to Nashville on December 19, 1864, before going into winter quarters.
Companies B, E, G, K, and L participated in the Battle of Decatur on October 26âÂÂ29, 1864 and the Battle of Nashville on December 15âÂÂ16, 1864. These companies later moved to Hillsboro, Alabama December 29 and Leighton, Alabama on December 30, 1864. The regiment was regrouped and moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to New Orleans, and then to Mobile Bay from February 11-March 23, 1865. The regiment participated in the Mobile Campaign and fought at both the Battle of Spanish Fort and the Battle of Fort Blakeley from March 26-April 9, 1865. The regiment was present for the capture of Mobile, Alabama on April 12, 1865. The regiment's last engagement was as part of General Benjamin Grierson's raid through Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi April 17-May 22, 1865 (not to be confused with Grierson's Raid in 1863). The regiment had garrison duty as part of the Military Division of the Mississippi until November. The regiment was mustered out of federal service in Vicksburg, Mississippi on November 18, 1865.
The regiment lost a total of 142 soldiers during its service: 1 Officer and 14 Enlisted men were killed and mortally wounded while 2 Officers and 125 Enlisted men were killed via disease.