MyIndianaHome.net

Record of Indiana Volunteers
in the Spanish-American War
1898-1899

The 161st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry was formed of volunteer companies from Hammond, Mount Vernon, Shelbyville, Madison, Jeffersonville, Richmond, New Castle, Rushville, Monticello, Columbus, Michigan City and Lawrenceburg and was organized to help fill the quota of Indiana under the second call of the President for troops.

The regiment was rendezvoused at Camp Mount, where the physical examination of officers and men were held, and was mustered in by batallions, and on July 15 the regiment was all mustered into the volunteer service of the United States. The regiment remained at Camp Mount engaged in drill until August 11, when they were ordered to Jacksonville, Florida, where they arrived on August 14 and were assigned to the 7th Corps (Gen. Fitzhugh Lee). Moved from Jacksonville to Savannah, Georgia, October 23, and, under orders to proceed to Cuba, the regiment left Savannah for Havana, Cuba, on December 13 and arrived at Havana December 15. Went into camp at Camp Columbia, Mariana, Cuba, December 17, 1898. Under orders to prepare for muster-out the regiment left Camp Columbia March 29, 1899, and embarked for Savannah, Georgia, arriving there on March 31. Went into camp and was finally mustered out and discharged April 30, 1899, at Savannah.

The regiment proceeded via Washington, D.C., where they were reviewed by the authorities, and the companies which were from north of Indianapolis reached that city on the morning of May 3, where they were welcomed by Governor Mount who made them an address which was responded to by Col. Durbin, who took the occasion to deliver the colors of the regiment into the hands of the State authorities.