| Lightning Brigade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | February 1863 – November 1863 |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Type | Mounted Infantry |
| Size | Five regiments and one battery:
|
| Nickname(s) | Lightning Brigade Hatchet Brigade |
| Equipment | Spencer repeating rifle |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col. John T. Wilder |
The Lightning Brigade, also known as Wilder's Brigade or the Hatchet Brigade was a mounted infantry brigade from the American Civil War in the Union Army of the Cumberland from March 8, 1863, through November 1863. A novel unit for the U.S. Army, its regiments were nominally the 1st Brigade[4] of Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds' 4th Division of Thomas' XIV Corps. Operationally, they were detached from the division and served as a mobile mounted infantry to support any of the army's corps. Colonel John T. Wilder was its commander. As initially organized, the brigade had the following regiments:[5]
- 92nd Illinois Mounted Infantry:[6] Col. Smith D. Atkins (after 10 July 1863)
- 98th Illinois Mounted Infantry:[7] Col. John J. Funkhouser (w), Lt. Col. Edward Kitchell
- 123rd Illinois Mounted Infantry:[8] Col. James Monroe
- 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry:[9][10] Maj. William T. Jones
- 72nd Indiana Mounted Infantry:[11][12] Col. Abram O. Miller
- 18th Independent Battery Indiana Light Artillery:[13][14] Capt. Eli Lilly
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 2, p. 145–157.
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 2, p. 665–673.
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 3, p. 431–432.
- ^ U.S. War Dept., Official Records, Vol. 23/1, p. 483.
- ^ Atkins (1907); Baumgartner (1997); Dyer (1908).
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1085; Reunion Association (1875), p. 22.
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1088.
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1098.
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1125; Regimental Association (1913), p. 47.
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 4, p. 344–371.
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1145; McGee (1882), p. 13, 20-26.
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 6, p. 163–181.
- ^ Dyer (1908), p. 1116; Rowell (1975), p. 15.
- ^ Adj. Gen Indiana.Report, Vol. 7, p. 754–757.