metzner and his regiment left camp morton in indianapolis in september 1861 and was ordered to camp nevin, kentucky, in mid-october. the 32nd indiana's major engagements included the battle of rowlett's station (december 17, 1861), the second day at the battle of shiloh (april 7, 1862), and the battle of stones river (december 30–31, 1862, and january 1–3, 1863). the 32nd indiana also participated in the tullahoma campaign (june 22–july 7, 1863) and the chickamauga campaign (august 16–september 22, 1863), including the battle of chickamauga (september 19–20), where metzner was shot in his right leg. the 32nd indiana also took part in the chattanooga campaign (september 24–november 23, 1864) and joined william t. sherman's atlanta campaign (may 1–september 8, 1864). the regiment's three-year enlisted men mustered out of service at indianapolis on september 7, 1864.