1863
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.
Regiments formed in Ohio served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. In July 1863, Ohio Governor David Tod called for the creation of several new units to defend the state against Morgan's Raiders. Columbus resident John F. Ijams recruited a company of cavalry soldiers. Officials stationed the company along the Ohio River. During Morgan's Raid, these men saw no combat.
Following Morgan's capture, Tod ordered the company to Camp Chase, a military recruiting center in Columbus, where Ijams organized three more cavalry companies, establishing the 5th Ohio Independent Cavalry Battalion. The men enlisted for six months of service. On September 8, 1863, the battalion left for Cincinnati, Ohio. Soon after arriving there, officials sent the 5th to eastern Kentucky, where the battalion engaged guerrillas in numerous skirmishes. Following the destruction of most of the guerrilla forces in the region, the 5th Ohio returned to Camp Chase, where officials discharged the battalion in November 1863. During the battalion's term of service, one man died on the battlefield, and two men perished from accidents or from disease.
