WAR DEPARTMENT
THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE
STATEMENT OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF
JOHN W. FOSTER
_Lieutenant-Colonel, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and Colonel, Sixty-fifth and One Hundred and Thirty-sixth
Regiments, Indiana Volunteer Infantry_
The records show that John W. Foster was mustered into service August
19, 1861, as major, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, to serve
three years. He was subsequently commissioned lieutenant-colonel of
the regiment and is recognized by the War Department as having been
in the military service of the United States as of that grade and
organization from April 30, 1862. He was mustered out of service as
lieutenant-colonel to date August 24, 1862, to accept promotion. He
was mustered into service as colonel, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, to date August 24, 1862, to serve three years. He was in
command of the District of Western Kentucky, Department of Ohio, with
headquarters at Henderson, Kentucky, in October and November, 1862, and
in March, April, and May, 1863, but the records do not show either the
date on which he assumed command or the date on which he was relieved
therefrom. From August 21, 1863, to September 5, 1863, and from
September 7, 1863, to October 18, 1863, he was in command of the Second
Brigade, Fourth Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. The designation of
the brigade was changed to the Fourth Brigade, same division, October
18, 1863, Colonel Foster remaining in command to November 3, 1863. This
brigade was assigned to the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the
Ohio, November 3, 1863, and Colonel Foster commanded the Second Brigade
of that division from November 3 to November --, 1863, and he commanded
the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio, from November
--, 1863, to January --, 1864, exact dates not shown. He was honorably
discharged March 12, 1864, as colonel, upon tender of resignation.
The records further show that John W. Foster was mustered into service
as colonel, One Hundred Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
May 23, 1864, to serve one hundred days, and that he was mustered
out of service with the regiment as colonel September 2, 1864, at
Indianapolis, Indiana.
In the operations February 12-16, 1862, resulting in the capture
of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Major Foster was commended by his
brigade commander for "the fearless and energetic manner" in which
he discharged his duties. His conduct was said to be "worthy of the
highest commendation."
At the battle of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, April 6-7, 1862, the
command of his regiment devolved upon Major Foster on the first day.
The brigade commander, in his official report of that battle, stated
with reference to Major Foster as follows: "The command devolved on
Major Foster, who proved himself every way worthy of it. He was active,
brave, and energetic, inspiring his men with courage and confidence.
His worthy example was felt by all around him."
Official statement furnished to Hon. John W. Foster, 1323 Eighteenth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., October 13, 1915.
By authority of the Secretary of War:
P. C. MARTH
_Adjutant-General_
_In charge of office_
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Transcriber's note:
Obvious errors of punctuation and diacritical markings were corrected.
Hyphenation was made consistent.
P. 37: to take steamer for Cairo -> to take a steamer for Cairo.
P. 156: Brunside's cavalry -> Burnside's cavalry.