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 28, 1864, the 179th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve a one-year term of enlistment.
In late September or early October 1864, authorities dispatched the 179th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment arrived at Nashville on October 8, 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. The 179th's men spent the next several weeks drilling and training in Nashville. The soldiers also participated in guard duty. On December 15, 1864, Union forces, including the Army of the Ohio and the Army of the Cumberland, attacked Confederate General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee as the Southerners approached Nashville. The 179th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry performed admirably at this battle but saw limited combat. The regiment lost no men killed. While most Union forces pursued the retreating Southerners, military officials ordered the 179th Regiment to remain at Nashville, performing garrison duty until June 17 or 18, 1865. On either of these dates, the 179th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered out of service. The regiment returned to Columbus, and authorities discharged the soldiers on June 27, 1865.
During its time of service, the 179th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry lost no men on the battlefield. Eighty soldiers succumbed to disease or accidents.
