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 12, 1864, the 146th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Camp Dennison near Cincinnati, Ohio. Most enlistees came from the 31st Regiment Ohio National Guard from Warren County, the bulk of the 35th Battalion Ohio National Guard from Clarke County, and the 24th Battalion Ohio National Guard from Lawrence County. The men in the regiment were to serve one hundred days.
On May 17, 1864, authorities dispatched the 146th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Charleston, West Virginia, where it joined the Department of West Virginia. Upon reaching Charleston, Companies A and H escorted three hundred Confederate prisoners to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. On May 23, 1864, the remaining companies proceeded to Fayetteville, West Virginia, where it engaged in garrison duty. While at Fayetteville, the 146th had numerous minor skirmishes with small Confederate forces. On August 27, 1864, authorities sent the regiment to Camp Piatt, where the 146th received transportation back to Camp Dennison. On September 7, 1864, the regiment mustered out of service.
During its time of service, the 146th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry lost eight men to disease or accidents.
