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                               Sketch of the Thirteenth Regiment


The Thirteenth Regiment was first accepted for State service for one year, but later  was  one
of the four regiments that first entered the United States service for three  years,  and  was
mustered in at Indianapolis, June 19, 1861, with Col. J.C. Sullivan in command. On the 4th. of
July the regiment left Indianapolis and joined Gen. McCellan's forces, near Rich Mountain, Va.
on the 10th. The next day it fought in the battle of Rich Mountain, losing  eight  killed  and
nine wounded. On the 13th. it moved to Beverly,  thence  to  Cheat  Mountain  Pass,  where  it
skirmished several times with the forces of Gen.  Lee.  It  moved  in  the  reconnaissance  on
Greenbrier, October 3, and from October 29 to November  7  engaged  in  scouting  expeditions.
December 13, it fought at Allegheny under Gen. Milroy, and the 19th. left Beverly  and  joined
Gen. Lander at Green Spring Run where  it  remained  until  spring,  taking  part  in  several
expeditions. Early in March 1862, it moved to Winchester, then scouted to  Strasburgh,  thence
returned to Winchester and fought in the battle of Winchester Heights, March  22,  losing  six
killed and 33 wounded. It pursued Jackson's army to New Market and Columbia Bridge.  Early  in
May R.S. Foster became Colonel. May 7, at Summerville, the  regiment  lost  in  a  skirmish  4
wounded and 24 prisoners. It moved to Port Republic, thence to Luray,  thence  to  Alexandria,
thence by steamer, June 28, to Harrison's Landing, James River, arriving July 2. August 15, it
started for Fortress Monroe; thence, August 30, moved to Suffolk, on Nansemond River, where it
remained nine months, marching during that  time  over  400  miles,  and  losing  in  numerous
movements 2 killed 19 wounded and 7 prisoners. The principal movements were reconnaissances  to
Black Water; battle of Deserted Farm, January 30, 1863; action with Gen. Longstreet  in  April
and May; and the destruction of forty miles of railroad  track.  In  June  C.J.  Dobbs  became
Colonel. In various movements it reached White House, occupied Portsmouth  and  Folly  Island,
remaining at the latter place several months, skirmishing at Morris  Island,  assaulting  Fort
Wagner September 7, and veteranizing in December  at  Folly  Island.  It  then  returned  home
veteran furlough. February 23, 1864, it moved to Jacksonville Fla., and  April  17,  moved  to
transports on Gloucester Point Va., thence ascended James River, landing  at  Bermuda  Hundred
May 5. It participated in the action at  Wathal  Junction  May  7,  Chester  Station  May  10,
Foster's Farm May 20, losing in all about 200 men. It joined the Army of the Potomac  June  1,
fought at Cold Harbor June 3, and took active part in other movements until  June  12;  thence
returned to White House; thence removed to Bermuda Hundred; thence June 15, assaulted the works
of Petersburg after the mine explosion; then occupied the Federal  trenches  until  September;
then, September 15, fought at Strawberry Plains; at  Chapin's  Bluff;  at  Fort  Gilmore,  the
19th.; and October 10, on the defenses of Richmond. In November it was sent to New  York  City
to maintain order; thence December 3, moved to Fort Fisher, but returned to Chapin's Bluff the
31st. December 6, 1864, the regiment was formed into a battalion of five companies, but  later
was made a full regiment by the addition of five companies of drafted men. January  15,  1865,
it engaged in the assault on Fort Fisher, and February 19  helped  capture  Fort  Andrews.  It
occupied Wilmington February 22; thence moved to Raleigh, where it  remained  until  July  20;
thence moved to Goldsboro, September 5, 1865. it was mustered  out  and  sent  home,  reaching
Indianapolis the 15th. with 29 officers and 550 enlisted men