1862–1863
In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units.
In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. Almost 330,000 Ohio men, including 5,092 African Americans, served in the Union military during the conflict.
Infantry regiments formed in Ohio became known as regiments of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. On September 15, 1862, the 117th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Camp Portsmouth, at Portsmouth, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve three years.
On October 2, officials ordered the 117th to eastern Kentucky, where the regiment encamped at Ashland until January 1863, when it advanced to Paintsville, Kentucky and successfully dispersed a Confederate force under the command of Colonel Jack Hays. The 117th then encamped at Buffalo Shoals, Kentucky, near Paintsville, until early February 1863. At that time, the regiment moved through the Kentucky communities of Peach Orchard, Louisa, and Catlettsburg, before arriving at Covington. During the spring of 1863, the 117th participated in several skirmishes with Confederate guerrillas and cavalrymen, principally commanded by John Hunt Morgan. Engagements occurred at Cynthiana, Lexington, Mount Sterling, and Paris, all located in Kentucky. On May 2, 1863, the United States War Department ordered the 117th to become the 1st Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery. The regiment spent the next several months recruiting additional men, formally becoming the 1st on August 12, 1863. During the recruitment period, the 117th constructed fortifications at Covington and Newport, Kentucky, helping to defend Cincinnati, Ohio from any Confederate threats.
Members of the 117th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry completed the war as the 1st Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery.
