Ohio Civil War » Civil War A-Z » 0-9 » 26th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

26th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

1861-1865

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. Almost 330,000 Ohio men, including 5,092 African Americans, served in the Union military during the conflict.

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. Soldiers of Ohio infantry regiments served the Union for varying lengths of time, ranging from one hundred days to three years. One of the three-year regiments was the 26th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Officials recruited the organization from Butler, Champaign, Delaware, Guernsey, Madison, Mahoning, Ross and Scioto Counties. The regiment formed at Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio, on July 26, 1861.

Soon after organizing, the 26th traveled to the Upper Kanawha Valley in western Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where the organization performed scouting duties. In late January 1862, officials transferred the 26th from the Department of West Virginia to the Department of the Ohio in the war's Western Theater. Upon reaching Louisville, Kentucky authorities brigaded the regiment with the 15th, 17th, and 50th Regiments Indiana Infantry. Serving as part of the Army of the Ohio, the brigade moved to Nashville, Tennessee in March 1862, before traveling to Savannah, Tennessee in early April 1862.

On April 6, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh erupted at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, eleven miles from Savannah. The 26th marched for the battlefield, traveling through thick swampland, but failed to arrive in time to participate in the engagement, which culminated in a Union victory on April 7. The regiment remained at Pittsburg Landing for several weeks, before embarking upon the Union's advance against Corinth, Mississippi. Beginning on April 29, 1862, the Northerners besieged the city's Confederate garrison and finally occupied Corinth on May 30, 1862. The 26th was one of the first Union regiments to enter the city.

Following Corinth's occupation, the 26th spent most of the summer of 1862 driving Confederate forces from southern Tennessee, northern Alabama, and northern Mississippi. In late August 1862, the regiment, along with the 17th and 58th Regiments Indiana Infantry engaged General Nathan Bedford Forrest's Confederate cavalry at McMinnville, Tennessee, driving the Southerners from the field. In this battle, the Northerners captured one of Forrest's horses, the general's personal body-servant, and also his carriage.

In early September 1862, the 26th joined the Army of the Ohio's pursuit of Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army, which had launched an invasion of Kentucky and was threatening Ohio's southern border. The Union army beat the Confederates to Louisville and, after several weeks of rest, advanced against the Southerners. On October 8, 1862, the Army of the Ohio engaged Bragg's Confederates at the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky. The 26th also participated in this engagement. As a result of this battle, the Confederates withdrew from Kentucky. The Army of the Ohio briefly pursued the enemy, before marching to Nashville, Tennessee and entering camp. After the 26th Ohio reached Nashville, officials ordered the 26th Ohio to Cumberland Gap, Kentucky to guard this important mountain passage.

In late 1862, the 26th Ohio returned to Nashville and joined the newly established Army of the Cumberland. The regiment joined this army's advance upon Bragg's Army of Tennessee, which was situated at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. At the Battle of Stones River, the two armies clashed from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863. In this engagement, the 26th primarily served in the rearguard. The regiment did help drive Confederate cavalry from the town of Lavergne, Tennessee. As the Army of Tennessee withdrew from the battlefield on January 2, 1863, the 26th attacked the Confederate rearguard and also extinguished a fire on an important bridge. After this Union victory, the 26th's commanding officer issued the following reports:

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, In Field, near La Vergne, December 28, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the following as the part performed by the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under my command, on the 27th instant:

Between 11 and 12 o'clock I first received orders to form the regiment in line of battle, and deploy my flanking companies as skirmishers. This being executed, and the order to advance being given, my skirmishers were ordered to enter La Vergne at a double-quick. On reaching the edge of the town, the firing on them became very severe, and at this point I received the order to advance my regiment at a double-quick and clear the town. This was performed by the regiment to my entire satisfaction. Having passed the town, the regiment, owing to the dense woods and the difficulty of seeing our proper position, obliqued too far to the left, and a part of it was thrown on the left of the railroad, and encountered considerable opposition from a force of the enemy's cavalry, which were finally driven forward. After dispersing this body of cavalry, I received orders to move over to turnpike, which I did, and was there relieved by the One hundredth Illinois Volunteers, which I was then ordered to support. I then advanced on line with the Fifty-eighth Indiana to the present point, and, in obedience to orders, was moving my regiment to the rear for the purpose of camping, when I received orders to change front and form on line with the One hundredth Illinois, to cut off the retreat of the enemy's cavalry, which, at this time, were endeavoring to escape by cutting their way through to the turnpike in advance of our forces. This force of the enemy having escaped by passing to the left of the line, I was ordered to camp my regiment. I regret to report the following loss of enlisted men in my regiment, nearly all of which occurred during the execution of the order to charge through the town, viz: Company A, 1 man wounded; Company B, 2 wounded; Company C, 1 wounded; Company D, 2 wounded; Company F, 1 killed and 2 wounded; Company H, 4 wounded; Company I, 3 wounded; Company K, 2 wounded; total, 17 wounded and 1 killed. In considering the circumstances under which the regiment went into the engagement, to wit, with but 1 acting field officer, 1 acting staff officer, 11 commissioned line officers, and 380 men, under arms, and the fact of the men being heavily laden, their clothes and contents of knapsacks being very wet, I have every reason to be satisfied with their conduct. I would also report the fact that Capt. Ewing, of Company B, and in command of my skirmishers, not having received the order to return to the regiment when relieved by the companies of the One hundredth Illinois, remained in advance of the skirmishers of the One hundredth, and, with the men under his command and the assistance of a few of the skirmishers of the Third Kentucky, saved the bridge a half a mile to our front and on the main pike. Not having received any report from the surgeons in charge of my wounded, I am unable to state the character of their wounds, though most of them are reported to be severe. In numbers, however, I believe the list of casualties to be perfectly correct.

My company officers deserve my most sincere thanks for their efforts and the success attained in keeping the men well in hand and perfectly cool.

I have the honor to be, yours, very respectfully,

W. H. SQUIRES, Cmdg. Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. EDMUND R. KERSTETTER.

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, In Field, January 5, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report the following movements on the part of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry on January 1:

At an early hour in the morning I was ordered to fall back with my regiment from the position in which I had been placed by Col. Wagner and join the Fifteenth Brigade. We were then drawn back and formed a reserve near and at right angles to the railroad.

At night the regiment was thrown across the railroad and into a hollow, for the purpose of allowing the men to build fires. At 9 p.m. we were ordered forward to relieve the Pioneer Brigade, and the regiment was formed in rear of the Fifty-eighth Indiana as a support. This position was held all night. There were no casualties in the regiment on this day.

On the morning of January 2, the regiment was ordered forward to relieve the One hundredth Illinois and support the Eighth Indiana Battery, on our left flank, and the Board of Trade Battery, on the center and right. Immediately after taking this position the batteries of the enemy opened on our artillery, and severe fighting ensued.

During the day the enemy's skirmishers, advancing under cover, annoyed our line, and were twice driven back by our own skirmishers. Immediately after sundown the regiment, with the brigade, were thrown across the creek, and, being held in reserve, were thrown back into the woods and allowed fires.

The casualties of this day were 2 men killed and 8 wounded, most of which were caused by the artillery of the enemy.

On the morning of January 3, the regiment was ordered to relieve the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and occupy the breastworks built during the previous night. In this position the regiment remained during the day and night, nothing of interest occurring and no casualties taking place.

On the morning of January 4, the regiment recrossed the creek and was placed in camp in the present position.

In conclusion, I will add that the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry entered into the engagement of December 31 with 374 guns, and lost during the interval a total of 1 commissioned officer killed and 2 wounded, and 9 enlisted men killed and 72 wounded. Many others were struck, and so slightly wounded as not to unfit them for duty, and are, therefore, not mentioned in this report.

I cannot mention in particular any of my officers, as each one seemed to vie with the other in deeds and examples of good conduct. The men, with a very few exceptions, behaved nobly, though a few, I regret to say, skulked to the rear.

I have the honor to be, yours, very respectfully,

W. H. SQUIRES, Capt., Cmdg. Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. ELWOOD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Fifteenth Brigade.

The 26th remained in the vicinity of Murfreesboro for the next six months. In late June 1863, the Army of the Cumberland, including the 26th, embarked upon the Tullahoma Campaign (June 24-July 3, 1863), a Union advance into southern Tennessee and northern Alabama. Upon the campaign's conclusion, the regiment encamped in southern Tennessee, where the organization performed garrison duty.

In early September 1863, the 26th joined the Army of the Cumberland's advance into northern Georgia. The regiment skirmished repeatedly with Confederate forces belonging to General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee. On September 19 and 20, 1863, the two armies fought the Battle of Chickamauga. The 26th remained engaged both days, losing nearly three-fifths of its members killed, wounded, or missing, On the evening of September 20, the entire Army of the Cumberland withdrew to Chattanooga, Tennessee. After this battle, the 26th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Chattanooga, Tenn., September 26, 1863. SIR:I have the honor herewith to report the part taken by the Twenty-sixth Regt. Ohio Volunteers, of Col. Buell's brigade, under my command during the series of battles recently fought between the Union and rebel forces on and near Chickamauga Creek, Ga.

During the 16th and 17th instant, while Col. Buell's brigade was occupying the left bank of the Chickamauga at Gordon's Mills, Ga., and holding the tongue of land between the creek and the La Fayette road, my regiment was posted near the sharp bend of said creek, convex to our position one-half mile from the mill.

On the 15th, being somewhat annoyed by the enemy's cavalry scouts approaching by the road and firing into my camp from the high ground beyond the creek, I stationed, by Col. Buell's direction, a line of sharpshooters along the left bank of the creek to hold them off. But on the 16th, as they became bolder, I threw a footway over creek, extending them across the neck of land formed by the bend in the stream. This last position was within musket range of the main road to La Fayette, on which the enemy's cavalry was continually showing itself with increasing boldness. On the same evening a detachment from my regiment was thrown still farther to the front, holding a point on the La Fayette road about 1 mile from the mills. On the evening of the 17th, a dash was made by a few rebel cavalrymen on this post, but was promptly repulsed, with the loss of 1 wounded on the part of the enemy.

This detachment was now immediately increased to 30 men, another post established one-quarter of a mile farther out on the road, and my whole line on the right bank of the creek considerably strengthened; about 100 men of my regiment now guarding this, the enemy's point of approach. During the night of the 17th, there was considerable movement on the road in front of this advanced line, and a systematic effort to draw the fire of the sentinels as if to ascertain their position.

On the morning of the 18th, the enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to surround and surprise my advanced post, 34 men, and at the same time my lookouts reported him advancing in heavy force, Shortly after, my sharpshooters were driven back by a heavy line of skirmishers covering the movements of the enemy now advancing in two lines of battle. In obedience to orders, my force beyond the creek was withdrawn to the left bank, the crossing cut away, and my regiment covered by a double line of sharpshooters and skirmishers posted on the creek and facing the enemy's lines. During the remainder of this day, the night, and the 19th up to 3 p. m., I held the last-described position, skirmishing occasionally with the enemy at long range, and without casualty on my side. The enemy in the meantime passing heavy columns of troops along our front from right to left in the rear and under cover of his troops who had taken position in my immediate front.

At about 2. 30 or 3 p. m. of the 19th, when the brigade was ordered to the left on the Chattanooga road, my regiment took the road in the rear of the One hundredth Illinois, and moved with the rest of the brigade at a double-quick some 2 miles to where the battle seemed to be raging with the utmost fury. Arriving at this point, where the conflict seemed fiercest, and the enemy was apparently pushing back our lines, my regiment was immediately thrown into line at double-quick on the right of, parallel to, and about 40 yards off the road, the Eighth Indiana Battery being on my right, my left resting in the woods.

In my immediate front, and for 75 yards in front of the prolongation of my line, to the right, was heavy timber, thickly grown with jack-oak bushes, making it utterly impossible to see what was going on 20 yards distant. Seventy-five yards to my right this timber made a right angle to the front, leaving on its right and in front of the road an inclosed field extending about 500 to 600 yards along the road and 600 to 700 yards to the front, being limited in each direction by timber and thickets. On my left and at my flank the line of timber in my front made a right angle to the rear, crossing the road and forming a dense cover for several hundred yards, and then opening into a half cleared, but bushy and thickly weeded field; 30 to 40 yards in the rear of, and parallel to, my line, as before mentioned, was the road, and in the rear of this another inclosed field extending about 400 yards to the rear of, and 600 to 700 yards parallel with, the road toward the right, and being bounded by timber in both directions. This last field descends with an easy slope from the road about 100 to 150 yards to a narrow ditch or gully and then rises with a slight grade to the timber in its rear. The gully varies in depth from 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet and in width weeds and willows. This description and the accompanying sketch* will, I trust, make plain the movements of my regiment during the battle on the 19th p. m. Having been originally posted in my first position under Col. Buell's immediate supervision, as above described and as shown in the sketch, I immediately caused my men to lie down and simultaneously received instructions from Gen. Wood that the position must be held. Even while receiving his instructions, and before the men had been allowed a moment to recover their wind after the rapid march, it became manifest the lines in our front were broken and the enemy pressing them rapidly back. In a moment more dozens, then scores, and finally hundreds, of straggling soldiers came rushing through the woods and over my line in the wildest disorder and most shameful confusion, there seeming to be no effort to either check or control the retreat, and at the same time a most galling fire began to reach and take effect upon my men, though lying close upon the ground.

In the meantime, I was holding my fire until our own men should be out of the way, intending, when the rebel line should show itself, to deliver my fire by volley and meet him at a charge with bayonets (previously fixed). As I was about executing this intention a mounted officer came galloping to the rear calling out, "for God's sake, don't fire; two lines of our own troops are still in the woods." At the same instant I discovered a rapid fire enfilading my line from the timber on the left, most cruelly cutting my command. My horse fell under me pierced, as afterward appeared, with nine balls; my acting major was dismounted and wounded, and the rebel line appeared in front within 20 yards, advancing firing. I immediately commenced firing and ordered a charge, but the command could be only partially heard, and the charge was not made. The rebel advance in front, however, was momentarily checked and his fire weakened; but the battery on my right had already been withdrawn; a heavy line of rebels were already on my left, and rapidly gaining my rear, making it impossible to hold my position even for a moment longer except with the certainly of capture. I reluctantly gave the command to retire across the road to the fence immediately in my rear.

This was done in tolerable order but under a most galling fire, Lieut. Burbridge, Company H, and a number of men being killed, and Capt. Ewing, acting major, with perhaps 30 to 35 men, too badly wounded to get away, being left on the ground. This conflict was short and bloody, begun at a great disadvantage, the bayonet had been freely used and defense had become hopeless.

On retiring to the fence to position No. 2 the regiment was in great part promptly rallied, though under a severe direct and cross fire and the loud cheers of the advancing rebels. From this position an effective fire was poured back into the enemy, and he was compelled to retire to the timber for cover. But now a most terrible fire was concentrated upon us, direct and right and left oblique, there being no support on either of my flanks. The officers and men conducted themselves most heroically; many of the latter and all of the former, particularly those of the left wing, to whom my attention was more closely directed, disdaining the cover of the low fence and defiantly receiving and returning the concentrated fire of more than twice their front.

Again the enemy was closing up on my left flank not 30 yards from in and rapidly gaining my rear. I still hoped, though I had not seen it, there was some support on the left, and, depending for support for my right upon a rally that was being made around some old buildings 250 yards distant on the prolongation of my right, as well as upon a few brave heroes scattered along the fence between me and those buildings, I determined to hold the fence a few minutes longer; but it seemed of no avail. There was now almost a semicircle of fire around us; it was growing hotter every moment; we were beginning to receive the fire of our own troops rallied in the ditch below us and in the woods beyond. The five left companies had lost from one-half to three-quarters of their numbers. The left center company had but 5 men left from 24, and 1 of its officers was killed. Lieut.'s Morrow, Ruley, and Williams, each commanding a left wing company, had been cut down while most gallantly cheering on their men in the unequal contest. Lieut. Platt, of Company G (the Ninth), though still commanding his company, was painfully wounded, and already too many noble privates had written themselves heroes with blood stains upon the sod. It was a proud thing to have died there with those that were dead; it was duty to save the remnant of the living for still another struggle.

I now gave the command to fall back to the ditch. Many wounded had already sought this as a place of refuge from the storm of musketry, grape-shot, and shell now sweeping the field from the edge of the timber on both sides. Many others had also rallied here from the troops that had retreated over my line as above mentioned. Many of my own men had rallied here when the line first fell back ditch afforded. From this third position another defense was now opened, and for a few moments vigorously and effectually maintained. But this line, like the others, was flanked and raked with a murderous fire. Many of the wounded were again struck, even the second and third time. The enemy had not yet attempted to cross the open field. Our own artillery and infantry were already pouring into them an effective fire from the timber in the rear. The troops collected around the old buildings before mentioned were successfully holding the enemy's left, and under cover of their fire a brave remnant of my command with myself made good our retreat by the right and rear, many others moving directly to the rear through a very storm of bullets.

I immediately proceeded to reform my regiment, and after moving my colors into the open field, succeeded-with the assistance of my officers, conspicuous among whom were Capt.'s Ross, Adair, Hamilton, and Acting Adjutant Grafton-in rallying the bulk of my surviving men. Supported by a few men of the Thirteenth Michigan bravely rallied around their colors, and another fragmentary regiment of, I think, Davis' division, and a few brave spirits of various regiments under the immediate command of Gen. Wood, we charged across the field under cover of Bradley's and Estep's batteries, but in the face of a galling fire. We were joined as we charged by many brave fellows who had staid in the ditch, and a few others who had remained by the fence. But here Capt. Ross wounded, and many others less conspicuous, though equally brave, the concentrated fire opened upon it from the woods, but pressing quickly forward firing we entered the woods at the point where the Eighth Indiana Battery had formerly stood, and nearly parallel to our original line, driving the enemy steadily before us. We entered the woods 200 yards, when, perceiving a rapid cross-fire on my left flank, I charged front to the rear on my first company, and, taking cover behind the fence at the edge of the woods, soon beat off the enemy in that direction. At this juncture I perceived a compact rebel line 500 to 600 yards distant advancing across the field from the woods in front of the road. I now changed front to the rear on my tenth company and ordered my men to lie down until the enemy should approach; other troops of our brigade then being on my right, somewhat to my rear, and a strong line of Sheridan's division at the same time coming up in my rear across the field in the rear of the road, this line halted near the road just as the enemy's fire was becoming severe, and commenced firing into my rear. I promptly moved back to the fence, and taking position under its cover awaited the onset. It was opened with a most murderous fire, driving back upon me a Kentucky regiment (of Sheridan's division, perhaps), which was advancing in line obliquely across my front. The entire line was broken by the shock. I held my command for a few minutes at the fence, but seeing the uselessness of attempting to hold the position, fell back to the ditch, where I rallied a few men, and from which Capt. Potter and Lieut. Renick, with their companies, A and F, gallantly advanced and drew off one of Capt. Estep's guns which had been left behind. In this effort Capt. Potter was badly hurt by being run over by the gun.

At this point Capt. Hamilton was wounded. We drew back in tolerable order to the timber, when the regiment was again formed, mustering about 147 officers out of 24. Our ammunition was here replenished, and in obedience to Col. Buell's orders, we were moved to a position in the woods near the road and on the right of the field in front of the road. It was now night, and movements for the day were over with. While moving to and after getting into our last position about 40 more men joined me who had become separated from the command during the progress of the battle, but the most of them gave sufficient evidence of having acquitted themselves well, fighting under the colors of other regiments of the brigade. The casualties of the day were very heavy. The officers and men behaved excellently, in many instances heroically. I know not a single instance of bad conduct on the part of an officer, nor can I say that a man was clearly guilty of misconduct, a few perhaps might have rallied better, despite the stampeding around them.

Immediately when all was quiet for the night, I detailed Lieut. Foster and 10 men to go carefully over the battle-field and see that all my wounded were gathered up. He found many who had been overlooked by the hospital attendants and saw them carried away. Four musicians were wounded carrying off the wounded during the action.

Lieut. Platt, of Company G, though wounded almost at the first fire, remained with his company until the close of the action, and when urged to go to the hospital consented but first found his way back to the battle-field, where he remained until midnight until his last wounded man was cared for, and at the hospital gave his attention to his men rather than to himself during the night.

About 3 a. m., Sunday, my regiment, with the rest of the brigade, was moved about a mile to the left, where breakfast was taken, rations issued, and then again to the front, and put in position under Col. Buell's immediate supervision, on the crest of a hill on the right of the brigade. After resting there perhaps half an hour, about 8. 30 or 9 a. m. we were again moved to the front one-half to three-quarters of a mile, and posted behind a rude breastwork of logs on the extreme right of the first line of the division, having the One hundredth Illinois on my left, the Thirteenth Michigan in my rear, and Davis' division, Twentieth Army Corps, on my right. We seemed to be occupying the middle line of a valley about one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide, between two parallel ridges. From this point I threw forward a line of skirmishers, who almost immediately drew the fire of the enemy. A few minutes later I was ordered to the front to support the One hundredth Illinois, which had gone forward. I immediately moved to the front to my line of skirmishers, but not knowing exactly where to find the One hundredth, halted a moment, had my men lie down under the fire they were receiving and endeavored to discover Col. Bartleson's position.

At this moment Col. Buell ordered me to remain where I was until further orders. A half hour later I was ordered to leave four companies on the line of skirmishers and return to the breastwork. This movement drew upon me the enemy's fire, by which were wounded Second Lieut. Mathias, commanding Company I, and 3 men. From this time, while we held this position, my skirmishers were more or less actively engaged with the enemy.

About three-quarters of an hour later I received an order from one of the brigade staff-Lieut. Williams or Jones, I think-to move my command off by the left flank, and to follow the One hundredth Illinois. As my skirmishers (four companies) were then engaged, I asked if they were to be called in, and was told they were. I hesitated a moment lest there might be some mistake, but was told the order was imperative and the movement to be executed promptly and rapidly. I at once ordered my skirmishers in. The movement I since learned was made by the whole division. My skirmishers were scarcely drawn in until their line was occupied by the enemy's and before I had marched a regimental front stray shots came whistling through the trees. I was marching in very quick time to keep in sight of the One hundredth. The battery marching in a parallel line on my left found much difficulty in making its way over the rocks and through the timber, and the enemy's fire was rapidly approaching nearer and increasing in rapidity. At this time we received orders to double-quick, which tended much to increase the excitement of the moment, the artillery dashing along against trees and over stones at a headlong rate. The One hundredth rapidly gaining the rear, first by a left oblique, and then by the rear rank, and the growing unsteadiness of my own men made me extremely anxious for the issue. I immediately fell back from the head of the column to gain a position on its left flank, as it was now very sensibly inclining to the rear, but at the same moment a mass of fugitives from the front struck my command on its right flank, and, becoming completely mingled with it, carried the whole to the rear about 50 or 75 paces into a corn-field before we could extricate ourselves and to the front, and ordered to charge back into the woods. It was gallantly done, but revealed an extended rebel line rapidly approaching and already considerably advanced on my right. I immediately retired my regiment to low ground in the corn about 200 paces from the edge of the timber from which we had emerged and just at the foot of the hill in our rear, but finding myself supported neither on the right nor left, and the position being untenable by reason of timber 150 yards to the right from which the enemy was already firing upon me-striking down several of my men, and Lieut. Hoge, commanding Company H-I retired half way up the hill to a fence now parallel to my line.

Rallying behind this, I hoped, which the support of several batteries posted on the crest of the hill several hundred yards above and another regiment rallied under cover of the same fence row with mine 100 yards to my left, to hold the position. Capt. Baldwin, of Col. Buell's staff, here joined me and assisted in rallying the men of various commands who were falling back from the woods below.

He could give me no information of Col. Buell's whereabouts. I remained at this fence about fifteen minutes, maintaining and receiving a steady fire. The enemy in front was held in the timber below, but meeting no opposition he advanced on the right under cover of a tongue of timber stretching part way up the hillside, and being entirely hidden from view by the weeds and bushes along a fence row perpendicular to my line and at the edge of the timber, had almost turned my right flank before he became visible. At the same time I discovered the regiment on the left had fallen back before a heavy line advancing on its left, and that the guns above were being retired. I promptly fell back rapidly, but in tolerable order, halting for a moment in rear of the Eighth Indiana Battery; but the enemy had already gained the timber crowning the prolongation of the ridge to the right, and scarcely 150 yards distant, from which position he had forced back a portion of the Thirteenth Michigan; he was also coming up in heavy lines on the left.

There was no support anywhere in sight; every man in the command saw and felt the hopelessness of attempting a stand at this point, and as the batteries were already moving off, finding it impossible to rally my command in any force, I fell back into the woods, assisting one of the batteries as we retired. The woods here were filled with fugitives from various commands (utterly disordered, and, in spite of [the efforts of] my own and other officers of Col. Buell's brigade, both of the staff [and] line), making their was to the rear. With the assistance of Maj. Hammond and several line officers of the One hundredth, my own officers, still all together, and Lieut. Lillie, of the Thirteenth Michigan, bearing his regimental colors, my own men and few of the One hundredth Illinois and Thirteenth Michigan, [were rallied] at a point on the crest of another hill perhaps 200 yards in rear of the first. With my command [and] another battalion made up of the men of various regiments rallied on the ground under command of a colonel unknown to me, and a battery or parts of batteries near by it was determined to hold the position. But being entirely cut off from any organized support, ignorant of the extent of the disaster, Capt. Baldwin, Lieut. Jones, Lieut. —–, of Col. Buell's staff, being unable to indicate the position of brigade or division headquarters, I though it my duty to establish communications with the troops who still seemed fighting to the left and front. Accordingly, instructing my officers to pick up and keep together any men who should be found, I went in the direction of the firing, and for some time, perhaps a half hour, sought to make my way to our troops, but found myself completely cut off from them by the enemy. Returning to where my command was left, I found the ground likewise occupied by the rebel skirmishers. (I have since learned that soon after I left the command the artillery was all withdrawn, and the battalion of infantry, commanded by the colonel of whom I have spoken, had been removed by the rear, whereupon, after consultation, my own officers and those already mentioned of the Thirteenth Michigan and One hundredth Illinois and Col. Buell's staff, finding themselves entirely unsupported and with no object to remain longer where nothing could be effected, and capture was almost certain, determined to retire.) Making my way out with much difficulty, and under frequent fire, from skirmishers, I finally gained the road, finding it filled with soldiers, artillery, trains, line, staff and field officers. Learning by inquiry that a stand was being made several miles to the rear, I rode rapidly for this point in order to rally the greatest possible number of my command.

Arriving here about 4 p. m., I found the most of my regiment detachments of the other regiments of the brigade, a few of the Third Brigade, the most of Col. Buell's, and a part of Col. Harker's and Gen. Wood's staffs, and the colors of the Third Brigade. Assuming command of the whole, I took immediate measures to pick up and collect any others of the division who should come in, and reported to Col. Lodor, of Gen. Crittenden's staff. He ordered me to fall back to Rossville, where I arrived after dark and went into camp. On the next morning (the 21st), I turned over the command numbering about 600 officers and men, to Col. Buell and resumed command of my own regiment. My regiment has since remained with the brigade, without further action or casualty, to the present time. Subjoined is a schedule report of the casualties on the 19th and 20th; the most of them occurred on the 19th. The left wing, it will be observed, suffered most severely, both in officers and men, not less than one-third being left on the ground of our first position. I think no prisoners were taken except the wounded, among whom was Capt. S. H. Ewing, Company B, acting major. Surgeon McGavran, Hospital Steward Dunnen, and 4 musicians were captured at the field hospital, near Gordon's Mills.

The command was most unfortunate in its positions on both days, but, under all the circumstances, behaved with the most commendable valor where valor could be available for good. I cannot wonder that after more than half its officers and men were killed and wounded up to noon of the 20th, and many others were unavoidably separated from the command during the terrible struggle of the 19th, and by the overwhelming force thrown upon the flank of the brigade while marching to the left on the 20th, completely crushing it, and dashing it to atoms, as it were, against the hill in the rear, the remnant of the men, still gathered around their colors with their officers, pressed farther and farther back by continued flank attacks, left entirely without support, and nearly surrounded, should fall in with the immense columns of troops moving to the rear, and seek, with the rest, a place of safety. It might have been wiser to have done so sooner.

The following are the casualties of the command during the actions of the 19th and 20th: The staff surgeon, McGavran, captured at field hospital; Capt. Ewing, Company B, acting major, wounded and captured; non-commissioned Staff Serg. Maj. B. A. Rabe wounded; Hospital Steward V. E. Dunnen captured at field hospital.

Aggregate loss of officers……………………………. 18

Aggregate loss of enlisted men…………………………201

I am, sir, very respectfully,

W. H. YOUNG, Lieut.-Col., Comdg.

Capt. J. G. ELWOOD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Brigade.

At Chattanooga, Bragg’s Confederates besieged the Union’s Army of the Cumberland from late September to late November 1863. On November 24, 1863, the 26th participated in the Battle of Lookout Mountain, helping the North to drive enemy soldiers from this vantage point. On the following day, the 26th fought in the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The regiment attacked the center of the Confederate line, helping to drive Bragg's remaining soldiers from the ridge. The Union victory in this battle ended the Chattanooga Campaign. After the siege, the 26th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 27, 1863. SIR: I have the honor herewith to report the part taken by my command, the Twenty-sixth Regt. Ohio Volunteers, in the movements of the 23d, 24th, 25th, and 26th instant in this vicinity.

About 2 p.m. on the 23d, in obedience to orders from the brigadier-general commanding, my regiment was moved to the front and formed in the center of the rear line in line of battle a few yards in the rear of the picket line and immediately in front of Fort Palmer. An hour later, while the brigade was advancing and driving in the enemy's pickets, I took command, in obedience to orders formerly received from Gen. Wagner, of the rear line, consisting of the Fifteenth Indiana on the right, Twenty-sixth Ohio in the center, and Fifty-seventh Indiana on the left, which line was advanced in line of battle and halted with brigade near the enemy's picket line, where it lay until night. During this movement the Twenty-sixth Ohio was under the immediate command of Maj. W. H. Squires.

During the night my regiment was advanced to the front line, moved with the brigade to the left about 400 yards and assigned the front center, having the Fortieth Indiana on its right and Fifty-eighth Indiana on its left. In this position rifle-pits were constructed during the night.

On the 24th, we lay in line of battle in our rifle-pits without change of position or interruption, except by an occasional harmless shell from the enemy's batteries in our front.

About 3 p.m. of the 25th, on orders from Col. Wood, commanding the front line, to advance my regiment with the rest of the brigade, I moved to the front across an open field in view of the enemy, some 500 yards, where we lay down half and hour, receiving, but without casualty, a severe fire of shell. I here received and gave to my officers orders to "advance slowly and steadily in line until ordered to halt, as it was intended, if possible, to take all before us to the top of Missionary Ridge."

The movement to the front began as directed (about 3.45 o'clock), but the line had advanced but a few hundred a few hundred yards when the troops on my either flank without orders, so far as I understood, quickened their pace to a double-quick. After endeavoring for some time to preserve the prescribed pace, finding my men were falling to the rear and chafing under the restraint, I quickened their step, regained my place in the line, and double-quick under a terrific fire of shot and shell for 800 to 900 yards to the enemy's line of rifle-pits at the base of the mountain, which being found empty, were immediately cleared and the charge enthusiastically continued up the mountain slope, the crest at this point being 600 to 800 yards distant. About half this latter distance was made most gallantly and without serious casualty, but the distance the men had double-quick, some, 1,200 to 1,500 yards, and the increasing angle of the acclivity had completely exhausted them. We were now, too, receiving a very hot fire of musketry from the enemy's rifle-pits on the crest in front as well as an enfilading fire of shell and solid shot from the right and left, the position of the line we were assailing being much retired and our line of march bisecting the arc of a circle whose limbs were lined with rebel batteries throwing upon us a concentrated fire.

I thereupon ordered my men to move slowly, advancing firing as skirmishers, availing themselves of every shelter available, avoiding undue exposure, but to keep up a forward movement. The latter I found extremely difficult by reason of the great exhaustion of officers and men, both behaving with the utmost gallantry, but in a number of ceases falling at my feet completely outdone. We were, however, steadily approaching a point much sheltered by the configuration of the ground and already occupied by a few men in advance, when I received an order to fall back to the ground and already occupied by a few men in advance, when I received an order to fall back to the rifle-pit at the base of the ridge. The order was promptly repeated but reluctantly obeyed, for we left that with a little rest and strengthened by the second line the ridge could be carried. Up to this time but 2 officers and a few men of my command had been struck, and though so entirely for the moment exhausted, their enthusiasm was still high and their confidence unabated.

We fell back rapidly under a galling, and, losing several men, took refuge behind the before-mentioned rifle-pits and for a number of minutes, perhaps fifteen, lay under a most terrific cannonade sustaining but little it any loss. Two of my lieutenants and a number of my men, perhaps one-fifth, failing to comprehend the order to fall back, remained on the hill-side and rejoined their command when the second charge was made.

After remaining nearly a quarter of an hour under cover, the line was again ordered forward, advanced rapidly and gallantly across the gentle but exposed slope (300 yards) with which the acclivity begins, and then seeking shelter, began again the more toilsome ascent in the face of a bitter fire. For more than 200 yards we had slowly and laboriously worked our way up the mountain side, suffering serious loss, and beginning to feel most sensibly the exhaustion that was breaking down both officers and men, when, perceiving the line fearfully weakened by the cause just mentioned, and by the necessity of extending it to cover an arc of which our original line had been the chord, I galloped back to urge up the rear line to support us in the final struggle at the enemy's works. They, however, were on the way ere I reached them, and soon joined us, filling up the gaps in the front line, and giving fresh encouragement to the few heroic spirits who were already closing upon the rifle-pits with which the mountain crest was fringed, and from which a steady fire was still pouring down upon us.

My color sergeant was already severely wounded, the senior corporal had been killed, another had fallen down exhausted, a fourth and the last seemed scarcely able to climb farther, when, feeling the moment had come for the crowning and final effort, I took the colors and led the advance of my command the remaining 150 yards into the enemy's works as the threw down his arms and took to flight. On advancing some yards farther, I found the enemy was already in rapid retreat beyond the ridge, pushing forward his wagons and endeavoring to carry off his cannon. Halting a moment to permit the men with me to again their breath and those in the rear to come up, we then pushed immediately forward to gain a knob beyond, from which I hoped to be able to stampede and capture a wagon train still in sight.

After advancing about 300 yards, passing and leaving a guard with two brass guns, being without support, I again halted to rally around my colors a few more men, when I was joined by the Fifteenth Indiana and at the same time received orders through an orderly to retire. I sent back by the orderly the information that a large wagon train was near at hand, and asked permission to attempt its capture. Ere an answer was received Gen. Wagner joined me and directed me to take the Fifteenth Indiana, Maj. White commanding, and my own regiment, and move off to the left and take possession of a battery about 300 yards distant, which the enemy were endeavoring to carry off through a ravine on my left. Placing the Twenty-sixth Ohio under command of Maj. Squires, and throwing out skirmishers from the Fifteenth Indiana, the command was moved rapidly to the left oblique in order to capture the party in charge of the guns. They were, however, already cutting loose the horses, and succeeded in getting away, leaving all the guns (four brass pieces and two Parrotts) and several caissons and limbers, and 3 horses still harnessed. Never having captured cannon before, and hence not appreciating the importance of claiming the guns as trophies, besides feeling they were entirely sate in my rear, and thinking I might need all my command in front, I left no guard with them, but immediately pushed forward upon the [retreating enemy] some hundreds of yards to the front. I was now about three-quarters of a mile from the ridge. The troops on my left, who had previously advanced several hundred yards, had all been withdrawn. There was a gap of one-third of a mile between my right and the left of our brigade, and deeming it prudent to advance no farther without support, especially as it was already dark, I was about to retire, when there was opened up a brisk fire of musketry and artillery form a hill or ridge about three-fourths of a mile to my right oblique. After waiting a few minutes until I discovered a stout resistance was being made, and the issue possibly doubtful, directing my original line of skirmishers to protect my left flank I changed front to the right oblique, directing Maj. Squires to throw out two companies of skirmishers to cover the new front; and sending notice around by the rear of my intention, I took up a line of march for a knob, from which I expected to turn the enemy's position by attacking his left flank. The exceeding and unexpected roughness of our route, comprising steep acclivity, dense thicket and thickly tangled swamps, made the undertaking one of no little difficulty. It was, however, finally accomplished and the height was gained, and so successfully that 1 lieutenant and 8 men, comprising the enemy's right, were captured and their line immediately broken, with the capture of two brass guns. The Federal troops here engaged proving to be our own brigade, I again assumed command of my own regiment, which however, saw no further special service, but remained with the brigade until it returned to camp on the evening of the 26th.

At every step of our advance from the time we reached the enemy's rifle-pits, prisoners were picked up by the men under my command, but, as we were constantly in the extreme front, they were at every opportunity passed immediately to the rear and handed over, without credit asked or given, to whoever would relieve us of their care. There were reported to me 45 thus disposed of; many others were passed, as we advanced, and no notice taken of them, as they seemed making fair time for our rear, and I had good reason to believe they would be carefully looked after and kindly cared for by officers and men who were giving their attention to that part of the work.

Of the conduct of my command perhaps nothing need be said; it was mostly witnessed by the general commanding the brigade. We were in no sense repulsed, not even checked beyond what a prudent caution demanded under the shifting condition of the conflict.

I can only account for being ordered back after getting nearly or quite half way from the base to the summit of Missionary Ridge on the 25th by supposing the ardor of the command had already carried it beyond instruction.

Too much cannot be said in commendation of the personal gallantry of my officers. Maj. W. H. Squires, who at several times was left in command of the regiment, and Adjt. James A. Spence, both unhorsed in the very beginning of the action, most gallantly, heroically acquitted themselves, lending me most material assistance from first to last.

Assistant Surgeon Rush acquitted himself with commendable zeal and fidelity of his duties as field surgeon.

It is but simple justice to deserving merit to record here as worthy of particular mention the following names of line officers of my regiment, who, with the exception of Second Lieut. Johnson, remained with their companies until the fighting was over, though several were painfully, but not seriously hurt; Capt. Peatman, Company F; Frazier, Company D; Adair, Company I; Baldwin, Company G (wounded in the face); First Lieut. Hume, commanding Company K; Franklin, commanding Company B (wounded in the leg); Foster, Company A (wounded in the left); Renick, Company F; Timberlake, Company D; Second Lieut. Guy, Company K; Johnson, Company E; Ogan, Company F; Hill, commanding Company A; Goodhue, commanding Company C (wounded in the leg), and Platt, Company G.

Your attention is respectfully invited to the following statement of casualties in this regiment: Commissioned officers wounded, 5; enlisted men killed, 2; enlisted men wounded, 29; 1 of them has since died.

During the brief period that I was in command of the rear line of three regiments on the afternoon of 23d nothing occurred worthy of mention. The regiments were all ably handled by their respective commanders.

While temporarily in command of the Fifteenth Indiana on the evening of the 25th, I could not fail to notice the very gallant bearing of that regiment, and particularly the spirit and ability displayed by Maj. White and Capt. Hegler.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. H. YOUNG, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.

Capt. H. C. TINNEY, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Following the Chattanooga Campaign, officials quickly dispatched the 26th Ohio to Knoxville, Tennessee to aid this city's besieged Union garrison. Northern forces successfully lifted the siege in early December 1863, prompting the regiment to return to Chattanooga in mid-December 1863. On January 1, 1864, a majority of the 26th’s members reenlisted in the Union military. The re-enlistees received a thirty-day furlough to their homes in Ohio. When the regiment returned to the front lines, the organization entered camp at Bridgeport, Tennessee.

In early May 1864, the 26th Ohio embarked upon Union General William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The goal of this expedition was for Northern forces to capture the important manufacturing center of Atlanta, Georgia. The regiment fought in many of the largest engagements of the campaign, including the Battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Atlanta. With the Union's seizure of Atlanta on September 2, 1864, the regiment entered camp for three weeks. After the campaign, the 26th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRs. TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO VETERAN VOL. INFTY., Near Atlanta Ga., September 20, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the recent campaign of the army under Gen. Sherman, commencing May 3, 1864, and ending on the 8th instant:

On the morning of the 3d of May the regiment, numbering 314 enlisted men, in command of Lieut. Col. W. H. Squires, left Cleveland, Tenn., and marched with the brigade and division in the direction of Dalton, Ga. Arrived near Catoosa Springs on the 4th and bivouacked there until the 7th, when we advanced to Tunnel Hill and again bivouacked until the 9th. Advanced on that day with the brigade to the top of Rocky Face Ridge to the support of Gen. Harker, who after our arrival made a charge upon the enemy's works. During the charge the regiment was under a brisk fire of musketry, but met with a loss of only 2 men wounded. On the 10th commenced moving slowly upon the enemy, and on the 14th and 15th had engagements with him near Resaca. Had 1 man mortally wounded. On the 16th moved forward, and found the enemy at Adairsville on the 17th, and had an engagement with him. Loss, 13 wounded, 2 mortally. Moved on from Adairsville and arrived at Kingston on the 20th; encamped at the latter place until the 23d. After leaving Kingston we found the enemy in force near Dallas on the 25th. Commenced skirmishing On the 26th, continuing it more or less until the 5th of June. Losses near Dallas were Lieut. Platt, Company G, killed; Lieut. Renick, Company F, wounded, and 5 enlisted men wounded. June 6, arrived at Acworth and remained there until the 10th. Kept maneuvering and skirmishing from that date almost continually until the 15th, and drove the enemy the mean time some three miles to one of his strong positions near Pine Mountain. In this advance Lieut. Hoge, Company H, was wounded. Here the regiment lay in reserve for two days with the brigade. On the 18th, at 2 a. m., the regiment was ordered to the front on the skirmish line, and during the day in a heavy rain-storm we made a charge on the rebel skirmishers and drove them to their main works, capturing some prisoners. Losses that day were Capt. Baldwin, Company G, wounded, and 17 enlisted, 3 mortally. On the 19th Lieut.-Col. Squires went back to the hospital sick, and I succeeded him in command of the regiment. Moved forward on that day some two miles, being in reserve, and halted in close proximity to Kenesaw Mountain. Regt. in the evening was ordered to the skirmish line in front of the Fourteenth Corps and remained there until 7 a. m. the next day. Skirmishing was brisk during the night, but no casualties occurred. Moved on the 21st with brigade and division two miles to the right, lying a part of the time in reserve. On the 22d had 3 men wounded, 1 mortally. On the 23d the regiment was sent to the skirmish line in front of Gen. Kimball's brigade, when we were ordered to make a charge on the enemy's skirmishers, causing them to fall back to their main line. Losses that day 4 men killed and 9 wounded, 3 mortally. June 27, we participated in the charge made that day on the enemy's works, occupying position in the second line of battle, and lost in killed 3 enlisted men and 21 wounded, 2 mortally. Lieut. Foster, Company A, was also wounded. 1 was wounded myself in this engagement and was succeeded in command of the regiment by Capt. Adair, Company 1.

July 3, after the enemy had evacuated their works near Kenesaw Mountain, the regiment moved forward, with the column five miles, via Marietta. July 4, had some skirmishing with the enemy and built works for defense. Loss in the skirmish, 1 man. On the 5th marched to the Chattahoochee, near Vining's Station. Lieut.Col. Squires returned from absent sick and took command of the regiment. On the 7th moved up the river about two miles, where the regiment was put on picket and remained until the 12th, while the most of the division went on a raid across the Chattahoochee. On the 13th crossed the Chattahoochee, advanced some two miles and went into camp, remaining there until the 17th. Two commissioned officers and fifty-six enlisted men were sent to Chattanooga to be mustered out, their term of service being about to expire. On the 18th moved to Buck Head, distance six miles. On the 19th moved to Peach Tree Creek. Crossed that stream on the 20th and was engaged in the battle of that day, suffering a loss of but 3 men wounded, but inflicting a heavy loss on the enemy. Advanced on the 22d to a position in front of the enemy's works, two miles north of Atlanta. That night a line of works was thrown up in the reserve line of the brigade, where we remained until the 25th of August, doing in the mean time considerable skirmishing; also fatigue duty in erecting fortifications. Losses while in front of Atlanta were only 3 men wounded. I had returned for duty from absent wounded July 27. August 24, Lieut.-Col. Squires, on account of sickness, was carried back to the hospital, when the command again fell to me. On the night of August 25 we were ordered to march, starting about midnight. We moved with the intention, as it was evident afterward, of striking the Macon railroad, and thereby cut off communication between Atlanta and the south on the 31st we crossed the Montgomery railroad, and on the 1st of September reached the Macon railroad and spent a considerable portion of the day in destroying it. About 6 p. m., having come up with the enemy intrenched on the railroad near Jonesborough, we were formed in line and maneuvered under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery and skirmishers until after dark, when we bivouacked for the night and threw up works of defense. Regt. lost 1 man mortally wounded. That night the enemy fell back to near Lovejoy's Station. We followed him up on the 2d and fortified in his front. The regiment was exposed more or less to the fire of the rebel skirmish line and artillery until 8 p. m. of the 5th. Our loss while in front of Lovejoy's Station was 2 men mortally wounded. On the night of the 5th we fell back with the division to Jonesborough. On the 7th took up march for Atlanta, where we arrived on the 8th instant.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. T. PEATMAN, Maj., Cmdg. Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry.

Lieut. L. L. Cox, Aide-de-Camp, Second Brig., Second Dir., 4th Army Corps.

In late September 1864, the 26th joined the Union’s pursuit of General John Bell Hood’s Confederate army, which was advancing through northern Georgia, northern Alabama, and southern Tennessee, headed for Nashville. The regiment participated in the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee (November 30, 1864), with the Northerners withdrawing from the field to Nashville the night after the engagement. The two sides skirmished frequently on the outskirts of Nashville over the next two weeks, before the Union army advanced against Hood’s Confederates at the Battle of Nashville (December 15-16, 1864). In this engagement, the Northerners drove the Confederates from the field, prompting the Southerners to withdraw into Alabama. After the battle, the 26th’s commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO VET. VOL. INFANTRY, Near Huntsville, Ala., January 12, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor of forwarding the following report of the part taken by this command in the engagements in front of Nashville on the 15th and 16th ultimo:

On the morning of the 15th ultimo the regiment, consisting of 116 guns and 6 commissioned officers (1 field and staff and 5 line), was ordered to deploy along the works covering the old front of the Second Brigade, and hold them at all hazards. We remained here until the morning of the 16th, at 4 o'clock, nothing of importance occurring, when we were ordered to rejoin our brigade on the Granny White pike, where we found them advancing on the enemy, who had retired to a strong line of works near the Franklin pike. Advanced with the brigade, driving the enemy's skirmishers from their pits, and taking a position within seventy-five yards of their main works; but were forced to retire after a few minutes to the rebel skirmish pits, where we kept up a heavy fire and constructed a line of works. Remained here until the enemy's lines were broken on our right, when we moved forward, driving them from their works, and pursued them about three miles, where we were overtaken by night and went into camp. Lost during the day 1 man wounded and 1 missing.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM CLARK, Capt., Cmdg.

Lieut. LOUIS L. COX, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

After pursuing Hood’s Confederates, the 26th entered camp at Huntsville, Alabama. In early 1865, the regiment traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization next moved to Texas to help to subdue Confederate forces in that state. The 26th visited the Texas communities of Port Lavaca and San Antonio, before entering camp at Victoria, Texas. The 26th Ohio mustered out of service at Victoria on October 21, 1865. The command then traveled to Camp Chase, where officials formally discharged the men.

During the 26th Ohio's term of service, 122 men, including six officers, died from wounds received on the battlefield. An additional 116 enlisted men died from disease or accidents.

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