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 2, 1864, the 35th Regiment Ohio National Guard and the 87th Battalion Ohio National Guard rendezvoused at Troy, Ohio. Officials furloughed both units until May 13, when the organizations reformed, before being sent to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio. At Camp Dennison, these National Guard organizations formed the 147th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry on May 16, 1864. The men in the regiment were to serve one hundred days.
On May 20, 1864, authorities dispatched the 147th to Washington, DC. Upon reaching Washington, officials initially assigned the regiment to garrison Fort Ethan Allen, but the next day, authorities sent the 147th to Fort Strong. On May 27, the regiment returned to Fort Ethan Allen, where six companies remained, while the remaining four companies garrisoned Fort Marcy. On June 1, 1864, officials assigned Company A to guard duty at division headquarters. Company A remained in this position for the duration of its term of service. On June 11, officials ordered the other nine companies to Fort Reno to help defend against Confederate General Jubal Early's raid on Washington. The 147th saw no combat and proceeded to Crystal Springs, Maryland that same day. Before reaching this location, officials ordered the regiment to Fort Stevens, where the Battle of Fort Stevens occurred on June 11 and 12, 1864. While the 147th came under enemy fire at this battle, the regiment did not engage the Confederates in this Union victory, which forced Early's men to retreat back to Virginia. The 147th remained at Fort Stevens until July 4, 1864, when it returned to Fort Ethan Allen. On August 23, 1864, authorities ordered the 147th to Camp Dennison, where the regiment mustered out of service on August 30, 1864.
During the 147th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry’s term of service, twenty-two men perished from disease or accidents, while no men died from wounds received on the battlefield.
