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 October 11, 1864, with the exception of Companies I and K which joined the regiment later, the 175th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Camp Dennison at Hillsboro, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve a one-year term of enlistment.
Upon mustering, authorities dispatched the 175th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Nashville, Tennessee. Travelling via Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky, the regiment arrived at Nashville in October 1864, where it joined Major General George Thomas's Army of the Cumberland in the Military Division of the Mississippi and the Department of the Ohio. Officials ordered the 175th's men to Columbia, Tennessee, where the regiment performed garrison duty and guarded portions of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad.
In late November 1864, Northern forces evacuated Columbia, with the 175th retreating to Franklin, Tennessee, where it joined the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps. At the Battle of Franklin (November 29, 1864), the 175th performed admirably, driving back a Confederate assault while veteran soldiers fled the battlefield. At the Battle of Franklin, 161 men of the 175th Regiment were killed, wounded, or captured. The Union force at Franklin, including the 175th, retreated to Nashville the evening of November 29, where the 175th helped to defend Fort Negley during the Battle of Nashville.
Following the Union victory at the Battle of Nashville, officials ordered the 175th Regiment to Columbia, Tennessee, on December 25, 1864, where it remained on garrison duty until June 23, 1865. The regiment then reported to Nashville, where it remained for five days before being sent to Camp Dennison to be mustered out of service. The 175th arrived at Camp Dennison on July 3, 1865, and officials discharged the men on July 13, 1865.
During its time of service, the 175th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry had sixteen men, including one officer, killed on the battlefield. The regiment lost 108 soldiers, including two officers, to disease or accidents.
