1864
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. In 1864, the governors of several Northern states convinced federal authorities to call up state militia forces for regular military duty. The governors believed that these militiamen would free regular soldiers currently serving in forts or guarding other important sites in Northern states for duty with the Union's invading armies in the Confederacy. Hopefully this surge of men, known as Hundred Days' Men, would allow the North to defeat the South in one hundred days or less while keeping Northern states safe from Confederate attack and anti-war unrest.
On May 10, 1864, the 140th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Gallipolis, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve one hundred days and principally came from Meigs, Gallia, and Lawrence Counties, Ohio. Authorities dispatched the 140th to Charleston, West Virginia, where the regiment guarded military supplies and patrolled the Kanawha and Gurley Rivers for Confederate forces. The 140th served in this capacity during its entire term of service. On September 3, 1864, the 140th mustered out of service at Gallipolis.
During the 140th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry’s term of service, two men perished from disease or accidents, while no men died from wounds received on the battlefield.
