PREFACE.

So long as our nation has a history, the thrilling events of the late four-years war will occupy an important place. Our state sent to the field over 200,000 men, and of all that number there is not one but what has a history    for honor or dishonor. An hundred volumes, ably written, would not give all that should be known to future generations.

Save a very brief sketch by the author of " Indiana Soldiers," and the short sketch given by the Adjutant General, we find no history of a reg-ment numbering in all more than 1400 men, and which was in the field from the 24th of December, 1861, to the close of the year 1865.

Persons engaged in writing the history of Indiana soldiers were never iurnished with the proper data, and it is thoreforo unnoticed. The work is incomplete as a " history," in that it does not give the official reports of losses in each engagement, and the changes in commissioned officers.

The writer entertained no thought of commencing these sketches until after the close of the war. Had such a task been contemplated during our connection with the army, many facts now beyond our reach could have been furnished.

The roster of officers, and enlisted men, is taken from the published reports of the Adjutant General of the State. Many thanks are due to those men who have permitted us to use letters, and otherwise furnished items of importance. Especially are we under obligations to Lieut. Hines, of Company " H," whose diary we have used, and on which we have mainly de-ponded for chronological matter.

The sketch given after the discharge of tho " non-veterans," is taken exclusively from his notes, though the language in some cases is changed.

Deeming further apologies unnecessary, we submit this unpretending volume, andindulgo a hope that many of the returned soldiers, whose toils and privations we have attempted to record, will here find a truthful account of their distinguished services.

A. L. K.

Dayton, Ohio, November 1867.