February 1865

80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
An American Civil War Regiment


"Beat the drum and toll the bell, For hard times in Dixie,
Chant rebellion's funeral knell, Hard times in Dixie;
And all o'er the land and sea, Floats the banner of the free,
Traitors shall forever be, Hard up in Dixie!"

--from the song Hard Times in Dixie
by M. K. and Eugarps


Below are brief descriptions of the 80th's day-to-day experiences during February, 1865, which begins with them camped just outside of Washington, D.C., awaiting transport south to re-join the federal forces being led by U.S. Lieut. Gen. William T. Sherman in the Carolinas, and ends with them in North Carolina.

Also included below are quotes from primary and secondary sources that are intended to give insights into what the times, and the soldiers' lives, were like. These quotes have been entered on the date they were written or published (unless otherwise noted) and without changing the original grammar or spelling.  Abbreviations used on this page include: Capt.=Captain; Co.=Company; N.C.=North Carolina; Va.=Virginia; and, '65=1865.

The 80th Indiana was formed in response to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 more volunteers for the Federal Army. The 80th left Indiana in September, 1862, and did not return until July, 1865. During that time it marched over 3,700 miles on foot and fought in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Of the roughly 1,000 men who served in it, only 320 were still with the 80th when it came home.

Sources: 80th Indiana Regimental and Company Order Books; Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Volumes III and IV, 1861-1865 (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1866); and other items as noted. 

 

Dates Synopsis Quotes

Feb.
Wednesday

Camp Stoneman.  Camped at Camp Stoneman, Va.

"I did not have an opportunity to see much of the town [Washington DC], but aside from the Government Buildings, from what I saw, it does not come up to my expectations.  It will not begin to come up to Cincinnatti or Louisville, and I do not know but Indianapolis will equal it in everything except population."
--Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, 80th Ind., letter to his wife.

Feb. 2
Thursday

Camp Stoneman.  Camped at Camp Stoneman, Va.


Feb. 3
Friday

Camp Stoneman.  Camped at Camp Stoneman, Va.

"...on or about the 20th day of April 1864, Private Jacob McMillen of Company "E", 80th Regiment Ind. Vol. Infantry, (the company now under my command) was tried by General Court-Martial, at Mossy Creek Tennessee, for alleged desertion...  said finding and sentence of the Court-Martial was never published; -- the same having been captured and destroyed by the enemy...on or about the 23rd of May 1864.  ...said Jacob McMillen now is and has been on duty with his company since the 8th day of March 1864.  His alleged absence without leave was from January 27th 1863 to March 8th 1864...  In view of the fact that I am precluded from instituting charges against the said Jacob McMillen for a second trial for the same offense, I would Respectfully ask for an order re-instating and restoring him to duty, with such conditions as may be required by military law."
--1st Lieut. Enos H. Kirk Co. E, 80th Ind., letter to the Asst. Adj. Gen. of 2nd Div, 23rd Army Corps.




Feb. 4
Saturday



Feb. 5
Sunday



Feb. 6
Monday

At Sea.  Traveling down the Atlantic coast by ship.


Feb. 7
Tuesday

At Sea.  Traveling down the Atlantic coast by ship.


Feb. 8
Wednesday

At Sea.  Traveling down the Atlantic coast by ship.


Feb. 9
Thursday

Fort Fisher.  Disembarked at Fort Fisher, N.C.


Feb. 10
Friday



Feb. 11
Saturday



Feb. 12
Sunday



Feb. 13
Monday



Feb. 14
Tuesday



Feb. 15
Wednesday



Feb. 16
Thursday



Feb. 17
Friday



Feb. 18
Saturday

Fort Anderson.  Participated in attacks on Fort Anderson, near Wilmington, N.C.


Feb. 19
Sunday

Fort Anderson.  Participated in attacks on Fort Anderson, near Wilmington, N.C.


Feb. 20
Monday

Town Creek.


Feb. 21
Tuesday



Feb. 22
Wednesday

Capture of Wilmington.


Feb. 23
Thursday



Feb. 24
Friday



Feb. 25
Saturday



Feb. 26
Sunday



Feb. 27
Monday

Wilmington.  Camped at Wilmington, N.C.

Mustered into the Army.
Recruit Hiram Rutherford Co. H


Feb. 28
Tuesday

Wilmington.  Camped at Wilmington, N.C.



This page Copyright by Scott Cantwell Meeker of Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Created July 2, 2000. Last updated January 1, 2005.

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