1860–1861
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.
Artillery units in Ohio served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. In 1860, the Ohio Militia authorized the creation of the 1st Regiment Ohio Light Artillery. Upon organizing, this regiment became part of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Ohio Militia and consisted of six companies, with each company having a single artillery piece.
Following the Battle of Fort Sumter, Ohio officials ordered the 1st Regiment to Columbus, Ohio for state military duty. The men in the organization were to serve three months. The regiment arrived at Columbus on April 22, 1861 and immediately departed for Marietta, Ohio, where it joined General George McClellan’s command and encamped at Camp McClellan. The 1st remained at Camp McClellan until May 28, 1861, when General McClellan ordered two companies to Parkersburg, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where authorities assigned the detachment to protect portions of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The rest of the 1st advanced to Grafton, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia). The detachment at Parkersburg fought in the Battle of Philippi(June 3, 1861) and remained at this location for one month before rejoining the regiment. The 1st then joined a Union advance against Confederate forces at Laurel Hill (July 11, 1861) and also engaged the enemy in the Battle of Carrick’s Ford (July 13, 1861). Following this last encounter, the 1st returned to Laurel Hill. Authorities soon ordered the regiment to Columbus, where the 1st mustered out of service on July 26, 1861.
