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173rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

1864–1865

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. On September 18, 1864, the 173rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Gallipolis, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve a one-year term of enlistment and most came from Ohio's 11th Congressional District.

Authorities immediately dispatched the 173rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Nashville, Tennessee, where the regiment arrived on October 1, 1864. Here, the 173rd engaged in drill and performed guard duty. Some of the men also rode on military trains, serving as guards. This service ceased with Confederate John Bell Hood's assault on Nashville in December 1864. Now, the 173rd remained in the trenches, anticipating a Confederate attack. Usually, the regiment guarded and supported various artillery batteries.

Following the Union victory at the Battle of Nashville, officials ordered the 173rd Regiment to continue on guard duty at Nashville. Members of the regiment also routinely escorted prisoners aboard trains from Nashville to Louisville, Kentucky. On February 15, 1865, military authorities ordered the 173rd to Columbia, Tennessee, where the regiment remained for just a few days before transferring to Johnsonville, Tennessee. The 173rd remained at Johnsonville until June 20, 1865, when it returned to Nashville and was mustered out of service on June 28, 1865. The 173rd then traveled to Camp Dennison in Ohio, where officials discharged the regiment from service on July 5, 1865.

During its time of service, the 173rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry suffered no casualties on the battlefield. The regiment lost 108 soldiers to disease or accidents.

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