John E. Wilkins

When the Civil War broke out, 25-year-old John E. Wilkins enlisted with the 11th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers on August 17, 1861. According to Wilkins, the 11th Regiment was the first unit in Indiana to perform duties during the war. Wilkins stood his first duty with "Wallace's Zouaves" guarding the State Capitol on April 20, 1861. In 1862 he resigned from the 11th Regiment, due to dissatisfaction with his unit. He then reenlisted in the 16th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He mustered in as a Sergeant Major and eventually was promoted to Adjutant. He remained with this regiment until the end of his military career in 1865.