36th Regiment Flag, Civil War, Wayne County, Indiana

On display at Morrisson-Reeves Library from April 13th to May 13th, 2011.

The 36th Indiana organized in Richmond and mustered for a three-year enlistment on Sept. 16, 1861. This was the second regiment to form in Wayne County. This regiment fought at the Battle of Shiloh, losing nine men killed and 38 wounded in a battle that had casualties for both sides totaling almost 24,000. They fought at Corinth and later at Stone’s River, where it had 24 killed, 90 wounded and 18 missing. This battle cost a little over 23,000 lives from both sides.

In the Battle of Chicamauga the regiment had 14 killed, 110 wounded and 13 missing in a battle took just under 36,000 lives, or practically the total population of Richmond today. The regiment later moved with Sherman’s army in the Atlanta campaign, taking part in nearly every skirmish and engagement that resulted in the South losing the war.

The regiment fought in 17 major engagements. The original strength of the 36th Indiana was 1,177 men total. Loss by death was 234, plus 11 more unaccounted for, which was a twenty percent casualty rate, or one man out of five.

Information provided by Steve Martin, Reference Librarian at Morrisson-Reeves Library.

If you would like to make a donation toward the restoration of similar flags, donate to 'Save the Flags' at the Indiana War Memorial, 431 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. For more information, call the collections office at 317-233-8505.

Detail of Restoration Work