Forty-third Infantry. Cols., George K. Steele, William E.
McLean, John C. Major; Lieut.-Cols., William E. McLean, John C.
Major, Wesley W. Norris; Majs., William L. Farrow, John C.
Major, Wesley W. Norris, Charles W. Mess.
This regiment was organized at Terre Haute and was mustered in
Sept. 27, 1861. Soon afterward it moved to Spottsville, Ky.,
thence to Calhoun, where it went into camp until late in Feb.,
1862.
It was transferred to Missouri, attached to Gen. Pope's army,
and participated in the siege of New Madrid and Island No. 10.
Later it was with Foote's gunboat fleet at Fort Pillow for 69
days and was the first Union regiment to land in the city of
Memphis.
With the 42nd Ind., it formed the garrison there for two weeks
until reinforced. In July, 1862, it was ordered up the White
River, Ark., and later to Helena. It accompanied Hovey's
expedition to Grenada, Miss., and on its return to Helena took
part in the expedition to Yazoo pass.
At the battle of Helena it supported a battery, repulsing
three attacks and capturing a regiment greater in numbers than
its own. It assisted in the capture against Little Rock, and
re-enlisted there in Jan. 1864. It moved with the expedition
being engaged at Elkin's and Jenkins' Ferries, Camden and
Marks' Mills.
At the latter place its brigade engaged in guarding a train of
wagons from Camden to Pine Bluff, was attacked by 5,000 of
Marmaduke's cavalry, the 43d losing nearly 200 in killed,
wounded and missing. Among the captured were 104 reenlisted
veterans. It was furloughed home June 10 and while there it
volunteered to go to Frankfort, Ky., which was threatened by
Morgan's cavalry.
It remained at Frankfort until the enemy left that part of the
state, and on the way home it was in a skirmish with
guerrillas near Eminence, Ky. At the conclusion of its
furlough the regiment was placed on duty at Indianapolis,
guarding prisoners at Camp Morton.
Of 164 men captured in Arkansas and taken to the enemy's
prison at Tyler, Tex., 10 or 12 died, the others returning in
March, 1865, and joining the regiment at Indianapolis.
The regiment was mustered out June 14, 1865. Its original
strength was 985; gain by recruits, 1,154; reenlistments, 165;
total, 2,304. Loss by death, 206, desertion, 121; unaccounted
for, 285.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
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Report of Maj. Wesley W. Norris, Forty-third Indiana
Infantry, of engagement at Elkin's Ferry.
HDQRS. FORTY-THIRD REGT. INDIANA VOLS.,
Camp No. 9, April 5, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by the Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the engagements of the
3d and 4th instant: On the morning of the 3d, four
companies-Company A, commanded by Lieut. Harper; Company
B, commanded by Capt. Darnall; Company F, commanded by Capt.
Lane, and Company I, commanded by Capt. Hall, and all under my
immediate command-went to the relief of the cavalry pickets. On
arriving at the front and learning the location of the ground and the
position of the enemy I deployed my force, Capt. Hall on the right,
Capt. Lane on the left, and Capt. Darnall and Lieut. Harper in
the center. The cavalry skirmishers were called in, when I ordered my
line of skirmishers to advance. They did so, and the enemy were soon
routed from their position and driven before us for the distance of 2
miles, when I was ordered to fall back. My skirmishers pressed the
enemy so closely that the retreat of some 15 or 16 was cut off, and they
surrendered themselves as prisoners of war to our pickets. On the night
of the 3d, five companies of my command were ordered to the front,
three to support the cavalry pickets, to-wit, Company C, commanded by
Lieut. Holman; Company E, commanded by Lieut. Thompson,
and Company H, commanded by Lieut. Cooper, and two
companies, to-wit, Company K, commanded by Lieut. Moore, and
Company D, commanded by Capt. Brown, to support the batteries.
Companies C, E, and H were deployed on the left of artillery, Company
H being the center and advance. The attack was made at 6 o'clock in the
morning, from which time those companies were engaged with the
enemy until 10 o'clock, when they were forced to fall back by a
superior force of the enemy. The men and officers fought gallantly. The
remaining five companies of my command were held in reserve on the
right until about 3 p. m., when I was ordered to take position on the
left, which position I took and remained in line during the evening and
night of the 4th. A list of casualties has already been forwarded.
I am, with respect, your most obedient servant,
W. W. NORRIS,
Maj. Forty-third Indiana Vol. Infy., Cmdg. Regt.
Col. WILLIAM W. McLEAN,
Cmdg. Second Brigade.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 708-61 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI.
[Series I. Vol. 34. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 61.]
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