It was composed mostly of volunteers from what was then Indiana's Tenth Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state.

The regiment was engaged both days, April 6–7, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, where it suffered 33 killed and 177 wounded.

It participated in the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and fought at Stones River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge.

The Indiana Chickamauga Commission (see references), however, reports the 44th's casualties as 350 killed and wounded in combat, and another 58 dead from disease.

Severely wounded at Fort Donelson, he was sent home to South Whitley, Indiana, where he was cared for by his mother and sister until he died of his injuries in July 1862 at age 26.