The 78th Indiana Infantry was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana for 60 days service and mustered on August 5, 1862 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William L. Farrow.
The regiment was engaged in guard duty at Evansville, Indiana and operated against guerrillas in Kentucky until October 3, 1862.
Part of the regiment was engaged at Uniontown, Kentucky on September 1, 1862.
Company K was detached and became engaged at the Battle of Munfordville, where it was captured with the Union garrison.
The regiment lost a total of 5 men during service; 1 officer and 1 enlisted man killed, 3 enlisted men died of disease.