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, Allen County's 33rd Regiment Ohio National Guard rendezvoused at Camp Lima and Hocking County's 57th Battalion Ohio National Guard rendezvoused at Camp Logan. Officials furloughed both units from May 4 to May 10, when the organizations reformed at the respective camps before being sent to Camp Chase at Columbus, Ohio. At Camp Chase, these National Guard organizations formed the 151st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry on May 13, 1864. The men in the regiment were to serve one hundred days.
On May 14, 1864, authorities dispatched the 151st to Washington, DC. The regiment traveled via the Ohio Central Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The regiment arrived at Martinsburg, West Virginia on May 17, prevented from traveling further due to high water. The 151st reached Washington on May 21, and officials assigned it to the 22nd Army Corps, first in General Haskin's division and then in General Hardin's division. The 151st primarily garrisoned fortifications defending Washington. Portions of the regiment participated in the Battle of Fort Stevens (July 11 and 12), which resulted in the end of Confederate General Jubal Early's assault on Washington. During the battle, Companies C and G defended Fort Stevens; Company I saw action at Battery Smeade; and Company K engaged the enemy at Fort Kearny.
On August 17, officials re-concentrated the 151st at Fort Simmons and ordered the regiment to Camp Chase. Traveling via Baltimore, Maryland and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 151st reached Camp Chase on August 23, 1864, where authorities mustered the 151st out of service on August 27, 1864.
During the 151st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry’s term of service, ten men perished from disease or accidents, while no men died from wounds received on the battlefield.
