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.
Regiments formed in Ohio served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. In 1864, the federal government also mustered into regular service Ohio militia units. Some of these units fought on the battlefield, but most of them garrisoned military bases, fortifications, or railroads in the North. One such unit was the 8th Ohio Battery of the Ohio National Guard. Mustered into regular service on August 15, 1864, at Johnson's Island, a Confederate prison on an island in Lake Erie, the 8th Ohio Battery was to serve for sixty days. The battery was to assist in defending the island prison. The 8th Ohio Battery remained in service until October 17, 1864, when officials discharged it from military duty due to the expiration of the battery's term of enlistment. On December 9, 1864, the federal government mustered into service the 8th Ohio Battery a second time. The battery was to serve for four months, guarding Johnson's Island. Officials discharged the 8th Ohio Battery on April 19, 1865, upon the end of the battery's enlistment term. The battery saw no combat.
