1st Regiment Indiana Heavy Artillery was a heavy artillery regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was nicknamed the "Jackass Regiment". Before being converted into an artillery unit in 1863, it served as the 21st Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
The 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery was organized in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 24, 1861, as the 21st Indiana Infantry under the command of Colonel James Winning McMillan. The regiment was converted to heavy artillery in February 1863.
The regiment was attached to Dix's Division, Baltimore, Maryland, to February 1862. Butler's New Orleans Expedition to March 1862. 2nd Brigade, Department of the Gulf, to October 1862. Independent Command, Department of the Gulf, to January 1863. Unattached, 1st Division, XIX Corps, Department of the Gulf, to February 1863. Artillery, 1st Division, XIX Corps, to August 1863. District of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, to June 1864. Unattached, XIX Corps, and unattached, Department of the Gulf, to January 1866.
The 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery mustered out January 10, 1866, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Left Indiana for Baltimore, Maryland, July 31, and duty in the defenses of that city until February 19, 1862. Expedition to Eastern Shore of Maryland November 14âÂÂ22, 1861. Moved to Newport News, Virginia, February 19, 1862; then sailed on the steamer Constitution for Ship Island, Mississippi, March 4âÂÂ13. Duty at Ship Island until April 14. Operations against Forts St. Philip and Jackson April 14âÂÂ28. Occupation of New Orleans May 1 (first regiment to land). Camp at Algiers until May 30. Expedition to New Orleans and Jackson Railroad May 9âÂÂ10. Moved to Baton Rouge May 30, and duty there until August 20. Battle of Baton Rouge August 5. Evacuation of Baton Rouge August 20. Camp at Carrollton until October. Action at Bayou Des Allemands September 4âÂÂ5. Expedition from Carrollton to St. Charles Court House September 7âÂÂ8. Skirmish near St. Charles Court House September 8. Expedition from Carrollton to Donaldsonville and skirmish October 21âÂÂ25. Duty at Berwick Bay until February 1863. Bayou Teche November 3, 1862. Action with steamer Cotton, Bayou Teche, January 14, 1863. Operations in western Louisiana April 9-May 19. Teche Campaign April 11âÂÂ20. Fort Bisland April 12âÂÂ14. Advance on Port Hudson May 20âÂÂ24. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 9. Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14. Lafourche Crossing June 20âÂÂ21 (Company F). Brashear City June 23 (Company F). Expedition to Sabine Pass, Texas, September 4âÂÂ11 (detachment). Garrison duty at New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and at various points in the Department of the Gulf until February 1865.
Companies L and M were organized August 12 to November 2, 1863. Red River Campaign March to May 1864 (Companies G & I). Blair's Landing April 12âÂÂ13 (detachment). Monett's Ferry, Cane River Crossing, April 23 (detachment). Retreat to Morganza May 13âÂÂ20. Operations in Mobile Bay, Alabama, against Forts Gaines and Morgan August 2âÂÂ23 (Companies B, F, H, and K). Siege and capture of Fort Gaines August 3âÂÂ8. Siege and capture of Fort Morgan August 8âÂÂ23. At New Orleans until March 1865. Campaign against Mobile, Alabama, and its defenses March 17-April 12, 1865. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley March 26-April 8. Fort Blakeley April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12, and duty there until June 24. Garrison duty until January 1866. Companies B and C at Fort Morgan; Companies H and K at Fort Gaines; Companies F and L at Fort Barrancas, Florida; Companies I and M at Fort Pickens, Florida; Companies A, E, and G at Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Company D at Port Hudson, Louisiana.
The regiment lost a total of 390 men during service; 7 officers and 60 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 3 officers and 320 enlisted men died of disease.