Ohio Civil War » Civil War A-Z » 0-9 » 93rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

93rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

1862-1865

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 93rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The organization formed at Camp Dayton, near Dayton, Ohio in July and August 1862. The 93rd departed Camp Dayton for Lexington, Kentucky on August 23, 1862. The regiment included thirty-nine officers and 929 enlisted men.

Upon reaching Lexington in late August 1862, the 93rd Regiment quickly joined a Union retreat to Louisville, Kentucky. The Northern force withdrew due to an advancing Confederate army under the command of General Braxton Bragg. The 93rd remained encamped at Louisville for most of September 1862, until advancing to Frankfort, Kentucky. At this new location, the Ohioans performed garrison duty.

By December 1862, the 93rd had advanced to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment performed occasional foraging missions and, on one such expedition, experienced its first combat, having one man killed and three wounded. The 93rd fought in the Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862-January 2, 1863). The regiment found itself in the fiercest of the fighting on December 31 but remained on the field for the battle's duration.

Upon the conclusion of the Battle of Stones River, the 93rd Regiment's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. NINETY-THIRD OHIO REGIMENT, Camp near Murfreesborough, Tenn.,;;; January 5, 1863.

SIR: In obedience to your order, I beg leave to submit the following report:

At 1 o'clock on the morning of December 27, the regiment left Mill Creek for Nolensville, at which place we arrived at 4 a.m. We went into camp 1 mile south, on the Nolensville road.

At 7 a.m. took up our line of march. The brigade commenced skirmishing with the enemy about 4 miles south of Nolensville. We were then ordered to file to a field on the left of; the Nolensville road, and were supports to the Sixth Indiana Volunteers. We marched in;; the above order until we arrived at Triune. Here quite a brisk skirmish ensued; but, as the enemy's cavalry retreated before us on the road to Eagleville, my regiment was not engaged. We went into camp on the farm of Perkins at 4 p.m.

On the morning of the 28th, was ordered on picket, to relieve the Seventy-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Col. Read commanding. Remained until 12 m. of the 29th, when the brigade was moved back a short distance beyond Triune.

Here we encamped until 7 a.m. of the 30th, when we started to join our division, which; was encamped 3 miles northwest of Murfreesborough. Arrived at 3 p.m. We were then immediately ordered to report to Gen. Stanley, chief of cavalry. After reporting to Gen.;; Stanley, Company A, of my regiment, was deployed as skirmishers through a cotton field and drove in the rebel cavalry.

The regiment then advanced through cotton and corn fields and meadows some 1 1/2 miles, when we were drawn up in line of battle, and marched so nearly one-half mile, when a very large cavalry force was seen drawn up in line of battle. We advanced to a fence and commenced firing at them; but, the range being so great and our loads having been long wetted, our shots did no apparent execution.

We were then ordered to fall back, Stanley's cavalry covering our retreat. The rebel cavalry advanced a short distance, but made no demonstration. We were then ordered to go into the division encampment, at the intersection of the Murfreesborough road and a; country road, crossing it about 2 miles from Murfreesborough. This we did; but, finding that our brigade had been in the mean time ordered to act as reserve of the First and Second Brigades, under advice of Gen. Willich, I ordered up the regiment and marched it; into the reserve camp, about 1 mile back and near Gen. Johnson's headquarters, and remained in this camp all night.

Upon the attack by the enemy immediately in our front, a little before 7 a.m. on the 31st, the brigade was ordered out to re-enforce our front division lines. The other regiments having been placed in their several positions, the Ninety-third Ohio was ordered by myself to form line of battle upon the left of the Fifth Kentucky, in the rear of which it had marched. But this movement was arrested by an order from Col. Baldwin, with an order for it to remain in its form of column, and to await further orders. This order was obeyed, and the regiment [with two slight changes in advance as the other regiments marched forward into the open field to the second positions] so remained, awaiting orders.

All this time the Ninety-third Ohio was in the wood of our encampment, parallel to the field in which the First Ohio and Fifth Kentucky were marching and forming their lines, while the Sixth Indiana, in line of battle, occupied the fence at the head of this wood, and between it and the adjacent fields on the south. No further orders were given to the regiment, though twice asked for.

In the retreat, the First Ohio fell back from the second position in line of battle. When that event took place, and while the two regiments in the field were retreating back to their first position, I ordered and began a deployment of my skirmishers across the woods and extending from the left flank of these two regiments to the road on the east. While in the actual process of this movement, the colonel commanding the brigade intercepted it, and ordered the regiment to form in line of battle to the left flank of the two other regiment.

I ordered the skirmishers to rally on the right wing, which had not yet begun its deployment, and the colonel commanding the brigade then gave me orders, in person, to retreat. The regiment being still in line of battle, I ordered it to about-face, and to march in slow time. This order was executed for a little time in some regularity. The enemy poured into the woods and pressed on to our rear. The regiment, like the rest of the retreating troops, of course much increase its speed, so that by the time it passed out of the woods into the cotton-field to the northward the march had degenerated into a run.

At this point, and in the cotton-field, the men of my regiment suffered quite severely. Notwithstanding, however, the number of killed, wounded, and scattered, a small remnant of the Ninety-third Ohio was rallied with those of the division, and it may be from some other divisions, and formed in line of battle in the large woods, containing in all several hundred men.

This line was again faced to the front, and marched a short distance against the enemy, which by this time passed the cotton field, entered the woods, and were again flanking our right in very great force.

Another retreat having been ordered, this whole body of troops retreated once again, under the support of Gen. Crittenden's wing.

No other event of special interest occurred in the regimental history of this day, except that several of its officers and many of its men, after being separated from the regiment, united themselves to other regiments, and fought gallantly during the subsequent conflict. Several of these men were thereby killed and wounded.

In a temporary absence from my regiment, in order to have two slight wounds looked at and dressed by a surgeon, the remnant of mine, with that of his regiment, was left with Maj. Stafford, of the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Upon rejoining my regiment, I received orders from Lieut.-Col. Michler, aide-de-camp of Gen. Rosecrans, to form on the extreme right of the line of battle. This I did, and then rejoined the colonel commanding and what was left at that time of the brigade.

These little and trivial details seen to make a sufficient record of my regiment's share in these great proceedings. For a fuller statement of the various casualties to my command, I; beg leave, respectfully, to refer to previous reports and this accompanying addendum.

Total number killed, as far as heard from, 12; total number wounded, as far as heard from, 45; total number missing up to date, 64.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES ANDERSON, Cmdg. Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Col. BALDWIN, Cmdg. Third Brigade.

Following the Union victory at Stones River and the Confederates' withdrawal, the 93rd Regiment entered encampment on the banks of Stones River, just south of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In March 1863, the regiment moved to Camp Drake, west of this community.

On June 23, 1863, the 93rd departed Camp Drake and joined the remainder of the Union's Army of the Cumberland on the Tullahoma Campaign. The regiment first marched to Liberty Gap, where the Ohioans engaged in a small skirmish with Confederate forces. The 93rd then proceeded to Hoover's Gap and arrived at Tullahoma, Tennessee on July 2, 1863. The regiment remained in camp at Tullahoma until August 17, 1863, when the organization advanced to Bellefonte, Alabama. After two weeks at this location, the 93rd relocated to Stevenson, Alabama, before moving into northern Georgia in mid-September 1863.

On September 19 and 20, the Union's Army of the Cumberland, including the 93rd Ohio, fought in the Battle of Chickamauga against the Confederacy's Army of Tennessee. At the engagement's outbreak, the 93rd served as pickets on the extreme right of the Union line, but officials quickly ordered the regiment to join General George Thomas's command on the Union left. At approximately noon on September 19, the 93rd attacked a Confederate artillery position, killing all of the Southerners' horses and seizing every cannon. The regiment remained in constant combat until 9:00 PM, before withdrawing back to Union lines. The 93rd lost 124 men killed, wounded, or captured the first day of the battle. On the morning of September 20, the regiment withstood a Confederate attack thanks to breastworks that the Ohioans constructed during the night. Light skirmishing continued for the duration of the morning, with another Southern assault occurring at noon. The 93rd repulsed this assault but withdrew from the field at approximately 4:00 PM, when the Confederates launched a final attack. The regiment arrived at Ringgold, Georgia the evening of September 20 and continued its retreat with the remainder of the Army of the Cumberland to Chattanooga, Tennessee the following day.

Upon the conclusion of the Battle of Chickamauga, the 93rd Regiment's commanding officer issued the following report:

CAMP NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENN., September 26, 1863.

SIR: The following is and unvarnished report of the action taken by the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the battle of the 19th and 20th instant:

On the morning of the 19th instant the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteers, under command of Col. Hiram Strong, was ordered as a support to the Fifth Kentucky Volunteers, then marching in line of battle. The advance becoming engaged with the enemy, the enemy's batteries opened fire with shell, one shell exploding directly between Companies G and C (as we then lay at double column at half distance), wounding 6 men. After driving the enemy about a mile, met him strongly posted in the edge of a corn-field and thick woods. The Ninety-third Ohio was ordered to deploy in line of battle and take position the left of the Fifth Kentucky. Companies A and K, in command of Maj. William Birch, were deployed as skirmishers and were immediately engaged with the enemy, and forced to fall back, losing several men killed, wounded, and missing. Great credit is due Maj. William Birch for his gallantry and bravery during the several engagements; he was always wherever duty called him, and I cheerfully recommend him to the notice of our commander-in-chief.

After taking our position we were attacked by a superior force. The coolness and bravery of our men repulsed the enemy. In this engagement our brave and heroic colonel (Strong) was severely wounded and carried from the field. Upon the wounding of Col. Strong I took command of the regiment. At this time the enemy had returned to our front with a battery of two 12-pounder guns, strongly supported by infantry, and undertook to plant his battery within 75 yards of my front. At the first volley from my regiment every horse was killed, and a large number of the gunners killed or wounded. They succeeded in firing one round of grape into my regiment over their dead horses, which killed and wounded several of my men. By this time our gallant and lamented colonel (P. P. Baldwin, commanding Third Brigade) ordered my regiment to charge the battery, he (Col. Baldwin) leading the charge in person, with the flag streaming high over his head, which resulted in the complete rout of the enemy and capture of his battery of two guns. Lieut. John R. Gallup, acting adjutant, with 12 men, drew one of the guns to the rear, and delivered it to Capt. Simonson, commanding Third Brigade battery. I was then ordered to return to my position, where I was first attacked, and ordered to build temporary breastworks, where we were soon attacked again by a superior force on our front and right flank; nevertheless we kept them at bay about half an hour.

The enemy being in such overwhelming numbers, I was ordered to fall back a short distance, my left flank forming on the right of the Sixth Indiana Regt. By this time it was quite dark; nevertheless the battle raged furiously from forty minutes to one hour, which terminated in a repulse of the enemy. I then received orders to fall back with the brigade and take possession of a hill one-half mile to the rear, where we bivouacked for the night.

The casualties of my regiment to this time were heavy, having 5 commissioned officers wounded and not less than 100 enlisted men killed and wounded.

Sunday morning, September 20, 1863, at daylight, I received orders from Capt. Strader, of brigade staff, to build breastworks connecting on my right with the Sixth Indiana. About 8 a. m. we were attacked by a large force; my regiment, with the Sixth Indiana, held their fire until the rebel lines were within 100 yards, when the Ninety-third Ohio and Sixth Indiana raised up and poured a volley into their front line (which was one of three) nearly demolishing it; nevertheless they pressed forward new lines, which met with the same fate. This engagement lasted one hour and a half. The enemy was completely routed with great slaughter, leaving his dead and wounded (which were numerous) on the field. Our skirmishers were pressed forward, and report finding at least 300 dead and wounded in front of the Sixth Indiana and Ninety-third Ohio, and a greater number of small-arms. The casualties of my regiment in this engagement were 5 wounded and 1 killed. Nothing more of importance occurring through the day until 3.30 p. m., the enemy again attacked us. We held them at bay for one hour, when it became necessary, by movements on other parts of the field, to fall back, which ended the fight for the day.

The casualties of my regiment in the two days' hard fighting were as follows, as near as opportunities would permit of ascertaining:

Commissioned officers wounded, 5; enlisted men killed, 15; enlisted men wounded and missing, 110. Aggregate, 130.

I cannot draw any line of distinction between the bravery of officers and men of my regiment. All stood up alike to the work before them. But cases present themselves of such a character that I must make special mention of them for their coolness, bravery, and determination, who were wounded slightly but remained with their companies and performed duty: Sergeant Holmes, Company B; Abia C. Zearing, Company B; John Sloan, Company B; John Drewry, Company B; Samuel Rohrer, Company B; Allen Dodge, corporal Company C; George Rosscoe, Company C; G. W. Gifford, John McClay, William Armstrong, and James M. Logan, of Company D; Sergt. John H. Parks, of Company D, I would mention especially on account of his gallant conduct in the hottest of the battle, he having to my knowledge two guns shot from his hands, two bullets passing through his hat, and one through the bottom of his pants, cutting his sock, and left the field with the regiment fully equipped; Sergts. John H. Atherton, Company F; John Murphy and John Eberts, Company G; Chris. J. Sensenbaugh, Company I; Corpl. James E. Fairchild and Private David Kinsey, Company K. Private Kinsey deserves especial mention for gallant conduct while skirmishing, capturing important maps and papers.

I cheerfully recommend Sergt. Maj. Oscar M. Gottschall for a commission; he was wounded by a piece of a shell, but was ever present and ready to do any duty he was called on to perform.

I could not help but notice the bravery and coolness of our brigade staff; wherever duty called they were present, rendering important aid in every instance.

Respectfully submitted.

Your obedient servant,

WM. H. MARTIN. Lieut. Col., Comdg. 93d Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. FRANK P. STRADER Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.

Confederate General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee pursued the retreating Northerners and laid siege to the beleaguered Union forces at Chattanooga. At this location, Northern officials reorganized the Army of the Army Cumberland, placing the 93rd in the Second Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps. On October 25, 1863, Second Brigade floated on pontoon boats down the Tennessee River from Chattanooga to Brown's Ferry. This expedition succeeded in driving off a detachment of Confederates and finally opened a tenuous supply line for the Northerners into Chattanooga. The 93rd remained at Brown's Ferry for a few days before returning to Chattanooga.

After the expedition to Brown's Ferry, the 93rd Regiment's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. NINETY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, October 30, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report: On the 26th, I received orders to take command of the following detachments: First Ohio Volunteers, seven companies, commanded by Maj. Stafford; Sixth Kentucky Volunteers, five companies, commanded by Maj. Whitaker; Twenty-third Kentucky Volunteers, two companies, commanded by Capt. Hardiman; Sixth Ohio Volunteers, one company, commanded by Lieut. Meline; Sixth Indiana Volunteers, six companies, commanded by Maj. Campbell, and Ninety-third Ohio Volunteers, five companies, commanded by Capt. Lake–in all twenty-six companies. We were to make a night attack on a position held by the rebels, about 3 miles below Lookout Mountain, simultaneous with detachment commanded by Col. Wiley, of the Forty-first Ohio.

The command numbered as follows: Field officers, 4; line officers, 26; non-commissioned officers, 104; privates, 520; total, 654.

We embarked on board twenty-six pontoon boats about 2 a.m. the 27th, and held the rebel position at daylight. The rebels were completely surprised and made but feeble resistance.

Killed none; wounded, 1 slightly in the Sixth Indiana; missing none. The rebels lost several killed and wounded. Every man seemed determined to succeed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. BIRCH, Maj. Ninety-third Ohio Vol. Inf., Comdg. Detachment.

Capt. JOHN CROWELL, Jr., Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

On November 23, 1863, the 93rd, with the 41st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, led the Union assault on Confederate lines at Orchard Knob. This attack was the first Northern assault intended to end the Confederate siege of Chattanooga. The Union forces drove the Southerners from Orchard Knob, but the 93rd took especially heavily casualties. In the six-minute attack, the regiment had eleven men killed and forty-nine more soldiers wounded. Six men who carried the regimental flag into combat were killed or wounded, including the 93rd's current commanding officer, Major William Birch. Two days later, the 93rd participated in the final engagement of the Chattanooga Campaign, the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The Northerners drove the Confederates from the ridge, which overlooked Chattanooga. In this battle, the 93rd had eight men killed and twenty more wounded.

After the Chattanooga Campaign, the 93rd Regiment's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. NINETY-THIRD REGT. OHIO VOLUNTEERS, Camp near Knoxville, Tennessee, December 8, 1863.

SIR: I respectfully submit the following as my official report of the part taken by the Ninety-third Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the late battles of the 23d and 25th ultimo:

On the afternoon of the 23d ultimo, the Ninety-third Regiment, under the command of Maj. William Birch, consolidated with the Forty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. A. Wiley commanding. The consolidated battalion advanced toward the breastworks of the enemy in front of Fort Wood. When within about 200 yards of the rebel works bayonets were fixed and the works were taken by assault. While advancing through the woods, and before reaching the enemy's lines, Maj. Birch received a mortal wound and was carried to the rear, Capt. Daniel Bowman assuming command of the Ninety-third Regt.

Upon entering the rebel works the colors of the Twenty-eighth Alabama Regt. were surrendered to Capt. Bowman. Our loss in the charge was comparatively heavy, caused by exposure to an enfilading fire from both sides, besides that from the front. The regiment retained and occupied the position it had gained until the afternoon of the 25th, when, being consolidated, as before, with the Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, it advanced against the rebel works at the foot of Missionary Ridge, assaulted and carried them.

During the few minutes it remained behind the last-mentioned works, Col. Wiley, commanding the consolidated battalion, was seriously wounded and Capt. Bowman, commanding the Ninety-third, received a slight wound. Both were carried to the rear.

Lieut.-Col. Kimberly assumed command of the consolidated battalion and I, being the senior officer present with the regiment, assumed command of the Ninety-third.

Being ordered forward, I advanced with the regiment to the assault of the rebel works on the summit of Missionary Ridge, which, the Ninety-third participating, were so brilliantly carried by the brigade. Upon entering the works, the colors of a rebel regiment (number unknown) were surrendered to Sergt. D. L. Sutphin, of the Ninety-third Regt.

The following is a list of the killed, wounded, and missing of the Ninety-third Regt. in the battles of the 23d and 25th ultimo:

Date.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Killed.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Wounded.;;; Missing.;;;;;;;;; Total.

November 23…. ..;;; 12;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 3;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 42 ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 57

November 25…. ..;;; 3;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 2;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 19 ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 24

Total…….. .. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 15;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 5;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 61;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 81

All of which is most respectfully submitted.

Very respectfully,

SAML. B. SMITH. Capt., Comdg. Ninety-third Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry.

Capt. JOHN CROWELL, Jr., Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

On November 28, 1863, Union officials dispatched the 93rd Ohio towards Knoxville, Tennessee, where Confederates besieged the Northern garrison. The regiment's members saw limited action but suffered severely due to cold and illness. At one point in this campaign, the organization had only four officers and ninety men available for duty. On January 16, 1864, an additional seven officers and eighty enlisted men rejoined the 93rd at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, almost doubling the size of the regiment. That evening, officials dispatched the 93rd and the 1st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry on picket duty north of Dandridge, Tennessee. The next morning, a Confederate force attacked, killing one, wounding four, and capturing three members of the regiment. The Union line held but withdrew under cover of darkness the night of January 17. The 93rd next traveled to Knoxville, before entering winter encampment at Lenoir's Station, Tennessee. After just three weeks, the regiment returned to Knoxville, before encamping for one month at Blair's Station. On April 3, 1864, the organization moved to Cleveland, Tennessee and encamped at McDonald's Station, Tennessee.

On May 3, 1864, the 93rd 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 Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Pine Knob, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesborough, and Lovejoy's Station. The Atlanta Campaign concluded on September 2, 1864, with the Union occupation of the city.

During the Atlanta Campaign, officers in the 93rd Ohio issued the following reports:

HDQRS. NINETY-THIRD REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY., Before Atlanta, Ga., August 17, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor of submitting to you the following report of the operations of the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in this campaign:

Left encampment at McDonald's Station, Tenn., May 8, 1864; regiment detailed as train guard, rejoining the brigade at Catoosa Springs on the night of the 4th. At Tunnel Hill, on the 8th, two companies had a slight skirmish with the enemy, but suffered no loss. On the 9th, in line of battle at foot of Rocky Face Ridge, 4 enlisted men were wounded. On the 14th and 16th was engaged in battle near Resaca, Ga., suffering a loss of 4 enlisted men killed and 16 wounded. Also engaged May 97, near Dallas, Ga., with a loss of 11 en.listed men killed, 88 wounded, and 6 missing. June 1, while on picket near Dallas, Ga., lost 1 enlisted man killed and 1 wounded. June 17, our loss was 1 enlisted man killed and 5 wounded. June 88, near Kenesaw Mountain, had a severe skirmish, losing 1 captain and 2 enlisted men killed and 37 enlisted men wounded. July 8, moved through Marietta, Ga. July 4, skirmished with the enemy, losing 8 enlisted men wounded. July o, four companies were detailed to assist in holding the rebel pontoon bridge at Pace's Ferry. July 19, moved across Peach Tree Creek with the loss of 1 enlisted man wounded. July 22, moved into position in line of trenches near Atlanta, which we now occupy, and in which we have lost 1 enlisted man wounded by stray ball.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DANL. BOWMAN, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninety-third Regs. Ohio Vol. Infty.

Capt. JOHN CROWELL, Jr., Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 3d. Div., 4th Army Corps.

HDQRS NINETY THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Near Atlanta, Ga, September 12, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor of submitting the following report of operations of the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in this campaign, under the command of Col. P. Sidney Post:

The regiment, being detailed on picket when the brigade moved, was left on the picket-line with orders to move at 11 p. m. August 26, 1864. Rejoining the brigade at 5 a. m. on the 27th of August, moved with the bridge at 8 a.m., around the Red Oak, on the 28th. The regiment assisted in destroying the Montgomery railroad on the 20th; returned to camp on the same day. Broke camp at 6 a. m. on the 30th and marched to a point near the Decatur road; found the enemy in line on the morning of the 31st. The regiment was placed in line of battle and commenced constructing rifle-pits. The enemy evacuating about 11 a. m., an advance was ordered; struck the Macon railroad about, 5 p. m. during the night constructed rife-pits. The regimental pioneers were detailed to destroy the Macon railroad. On the 1st of September marched in rear of wagon train arriving at camp about 7 p. m., near Jonesborough, Ga. On the morning of the 3d of September moved through Jonesborough and about four and a half miles south of that place. In the afternoon the regiment was deployed and placed in the second line; an advance was made near sundown, but the Ninety-third dire not become engaged. The regiment was moved to the right of the front line and ordered to build breastworks; continued in the pits until the evening of the 5th of September 5 the forces commenced moving back toward Atlanta. On the 6th the regiment was detailed as advance guard for the corps supply train; arrived at Atlanta on the 8th of September. Rejoined brigade at 12 m. on the 9th, and went into camp.

Very respectfully,

DANIEL BOWMAN, Lieut.,-Col., Cmdg. Ninety-third Regt.

Capt. John Crowell, Jr. Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

HDQRS. 124TH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Atlanta, Ga., September 13, 1864.

CAPT.: I would respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and twenty-fourth Regt. Ohio Foot Volunteers in the campaign just closed, and would also include the Ninety-third Ohio Foot Volunteers, from May 6 to August 19, it being placed during that time under my command by the general commanding the brigade:

The battalion on the,3d of May, after a short rest of but two weeks from a hard and continuous campaign in East Tennessee, broke camp at McDonald's Station and marched to Catoosa Springs, reaching the Springs wax the 4th. On the 9th, the command having moved up and confronted the enemy's position at Buzzard Roost, this battalion forming the front of the right line, with the Twenty-third Kentucky deployed as skirmishers in front, was ordered to make a demonstration on Rocky Face Ridge, where the enemy were posted in force. Obeying the sound of the bugle, the battalion advanced up the sides of the mountain, passing over the skirmish line, which had been checked by the', fire of the enemy, until it reached a perpendicular ledge of rocks about forty feet from the summit of the ridge; here the battalion remained for several hours, inflicting by their firing considerable damage upon the enemy. The object of the demonstration being accomplished the battalion fell back to the foot of the ridge. The One', hundred and twenty-fourth lost in this movement 2 enlisted men killed and 18 wounded; the Ninety-third Ohio, 4 enlisted men wounded. On the 10th, 11th, and 12th the battalion lay under the fire of the enemy without loss. On the night of the 12th, the enemy having evacuated his position, at daylight the command followed them up, passing through Dalton, bivouac ing for the night a few miles south of the village. At daylight the next morning the pursuit was continued, and about noon of the 14th the enemy were overtaken, strongly posted in front of Resaca. This battalion, forming the left of the front line of the brigade, was ordered to relieve a battalion of the Twenty-third Corps, which, finding most miserably posted on the slope of a, hill, scattered along behind the trees, and resembling more a skirmish line than a, line of battle, I ordered the battalion to charge and take a ridge within 200 yards of their main line of works, which was most handsomely and gallantly done with but slight loss. This position the battalion held and during the night strengthened with fortifications, remaining here until the enemy evacuated his position. On the afternoon of the 15th orders were received to assault the enemy's works in our front, it being understood that a general assault was to be made along the whole line, commencing with the division on our immediate left. At about 1 p. m., in obedience to orders from our brigade commander, the battalion moved to the attack, but this being the only brigade moved forward the enemy concentrated a murderous fire on both Banks as well as our front and easily and badly repulsed us. During the night the enemy abandoned his position and fell back to the south of the Oostenaula River. In the operations before Resaca, the Ninety-third sustained a loss of 4 enlisted men killed and 10 wounded. The One hundred and twenty-fourth, 5 enlisted men killed and 29 wounded. In the pursuit of the enemy through Calhoun to Adairsville, the battalion was constantly skirmishing with the enemy, sustaining, however, but slight loss. At Adairsville we came up to them strongly posted, and the battalion spent the night of the 17th in gaining and fortifying a position preparatory to operations in the morning, but daylight found the position in our front evacuated, and the pursuit continued to Cassville; here a much needed rest of several days was given to the command. On the 23d active movements against the enemy were resumed, and on the 20th, the command having crossed Burnt Hickory Ridge, came upon the enemy posted near Dallas. During the night of the 26th the battalion was actively engaged in gaining and fortifying a position within a few hundred yards of the enemy's position. At daylight May 27, having just completed the fortifications, the battalion was relieved with the division and massed near Pickett's Mills preparatory to making an assault on the enemy's right Hank. The column of assault was formed with two battalions front, this battalion occupying the left of the front line, with skirmishers thrown out frown both regiments; thus formed, at about 12 m. the movement commenced.

Advancing to the left of our army a, bout two miles, encountering only the cavalry of the enemy, which were easily driven before us, we came up to their fortified position. Expect.ing that we were now near their right Hank, we were moved back some forty yards, and about 1,000 yards farther to our left, when the lines were rectified preparatory to making the assault. At 4 p. m. the final attack was made. This battalion moved briskly forward through a thick woods, coming up with the skirmish line at the foot of the deep ravine, where it had been stopped by a rapid fire from the opposite hill, the sides of which were, thickly covered with an almost impenetrable thicket and in many places were almost perpendicular. He, re, stopping long enough to rectify the lines, I ordered them forward, the battalion gaining the hill, and had advanced a few yards from the crest of the hill within about thirty paces of the enemy's works, when it was met with such a withering fire from the front and each flank that it was checked and compelled to find shelter behind the crest of the hill. So rapid and close was the fire, that seeing that it would be impracticable to make another effort to carry the works with the battalion, now much depleted, I ordered the battalion to cover themselves as well as possible and hold the position, expecting every moment to be re-enforced by the second line. It not making its appearance, I sent an officer to find it and to communicate to the general commanding the brigade my position. Still the line did not come, and not until I had held the position for nearly an hour did any re-enforcements come up to the position the battalion occupied, and then only the left of one of the lines of the First Brigade, which indifferently lapped the right wing of my battalion, reached me in strength so weak that a feeble effort to advance beyond my position was easily repulsed by the enemy. Not hearing from the general, I now dispatched another officer to him for orders, but he, as well as the officer I had previously sent, I learned afterward, failed to find any one in authority. A little before dark the Ninety-third Ohio and Companies I and B, of the One hundred and twenty-fourth, seeing the left give way, and supposing that the whole line had been ordered back fell back with them. And reformed with the brigade which had been relieved and ordered to the rear. Not receiving any order myself, I maintained my present position with the rest of my battalion until 7.30 o'clock; when it becoming quite dark, and feeling apprehensive that should the enemy make an offensive movement, the position could not be held, I started myself to report the situation, but had just reached the rear when the rebels suddenly and in large force attacked the battalion, which, seeing that it would be impossible to maintain their position, fell back before them into the new line already established, where the battalion was collected and placed in position on the line, not being again engaged while the enemy occupied the position in our front, though constantly under fire, on account of the close proximity of the lines. This attack, though unsuccessful, was made by the battalion with spirit and marked bravery, and I venture to say no more honest or bold attempt to carry the enemy's works has occurred during the campaign. Every officer and enlisted man in this battalion, as far as my observation extended, behaved with great gallantry, and if valor and heroism could have gained the point would most assuredly have succeeded. At no time did the battalion become in the least disorganized, and had orders reached me at the same time the brigade received them to retire, the battalion could have withdrawn in order, bringing off all its wounded and dead, as it was some were of necessity left on the field.

In the operations of the day the Ninety third Sustained a loss of 11 enlisted men killed, 32 wounded and 6 missing. One hundred and twenty-fourth, 1 officer killed, 3 mortally wounded, and 3 severely wounded, 14 enlisted men killed, 41 wounded and 10 missing. The loss in officers to the One hundred and twenty-fourth Ohio was irreparable. Maj. Hampson, temporarily serving on the staff of the general commanding the division, an officer, who by his kind disposition, dash, and efficiency, as well as possessing all those finer qualities which distinguish one officer above another, had become greatly beloved axed endeared to the regiment, was mortally wounded early in the morning while superintending the construction of epaulments to a battery. Lieut.-Col. Pickands, commanding the regiment, was severely wounded and his distinguished services taken away from the regiment for the rest of the campaign. Capt. Irwin and Lieut. Waldo, model soldiers, whose bravery had been conspicuous on every battle-field the regiment had been engaged in, were mortally wounded; Lieut. Stedman, a stranger to fear, killed; Lieut. McGinnis, a very gallant officer, severely wounded, and Capt. Wilson, slightly wounded.

On the night of June 5, the enemy evacuating the position in our front, the battalion at daylight occupied their works, and following them up to within three miles of Acworth, went into camp, where it remanded until the morning of the 10th, when it took up position confronting the enemy at Pine Knob. On the 15th the enemy evacuated our immediate front. The Ninety-third Ohio was thrown out as skirmishers, drove in the enemy's pickets, and took up position within a few hundred yards of their works. On the morning of the 17th, the works in our front being evacuated, I was ordered to develop their position; threw out a few companies of the Ninety-third as skirmishers, advanced about two miles, driving in the enemy's skirmish line and establishing our line about 1,000 yards from their works. During the day the Ninety-third sustained a loss of 1 enlisted man killed and 5 wounded. On the night of the 10th the enemy evacuated our front, falling back to their last line in front of Marietta. On the following morning a skirmish line from the One hundred and twenty-fourth was advanced, driving the enemy into their works. On the 21st the battalion was moved to the right, and relieved a battalion of the Twentieth Army Corps. On the 23d the Ninety-third, deployed as skirmishers, charged and drove back the enemy, advancing our lines about 1,000 yards, with a loss to the Ninety-third of 1 officer killed, 2 enlisted men killed, and 37 enlisted men wounded. The battalion was no further engaged, with the exception of constant picket-firing, in which both battalions suffered, the One hundred and twenty-fourth having 1 officer slightly wounded, until the enemy evacuated their position, which they did the night of July 3. In the pursuit of the enemy to the Chattahoochee River, the One hundred and twenty-fourth, on the morning of the 5th, was deployed as skirmishers, and vigorously pushed the rear guard of the enemy to and across the river, with a loss of 1 enlisted man killed and 5 wounded. On the 12th the battalion crossed the Chattahoochee and took up position on the south side of the river. On the 17th the battalion moved down opposite Vining's Station; details from both regiments briskly skirmished with the enemy without loss. That evening the battalion returned to its former position. From the 17th to the 21st of July the battalion was more or less engaged in obtaining the position before Atlanta which it afterward held, with but slight loss, until August 25. On the night of August 25 the battalion joined in the movement to the right and rear of Atlanta; on the 89th ultimo assisting in the destruction of the Montgomery railroad; on the 1st instant marching to Jonesborough, and on the 2d to Lovejoy's Station, where the battalion remained till the night of the 5th, where it joined in the retrograde movement to Atlanta, which place it reached on the 8th instant. But few casualties occurred during this movement, as the battalion was st no time engaged.

My thanks are due to Lieut.-Col. Bowman, commanding the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the able manner in which he handled his regiment; and I desire to make honorable mention of the subordinate, officers of his regiment, a.'s well as those of the One hundred and twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, all of whom did their duty most gallantly from first to last.

Accompanying this report I send a list, of casualties, to which I call the general's especial attention.

I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

O. H. PAYNE, Col. 124th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. JOHN CROWELL, Jr., Asst, Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 3d Div., 4th Army Corps.

Following Atlanta's capture, the 93rd entered encampment at Gailsville, Georgia. On October 25, 1864, the regiment joined in the pursuit of Confederate General John Bell Hood's army, which was advancing through northern Alabama to south-central Tennessee in the direction of Nashville. The 93rd passed through Chattanooga on the organization's march to Pulaski, Tennessee. The Ohioans remained at Pulaski until November 23, 1864, when they withdrew to Columbia, Tennessee, reaching this new location the following day. The regiment fortified its position at Columbia with breastworks but retreated to Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. The 93rd saw no combat in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, remaining as part of the Union reserve force. As the Union retreated from the battlefield, the regiment served as a guard for a corps-train, reaching Nashville the next day.

At Nashville, the 93rd Ohio remained on the frontlines, preparing for a Confederate assault. On December 15, 1864, the Union military engaged Hood's Confederates at the Battle of Nashville. The 93rd took a position on the Northern right. Officials ordered the regiment to hold the Union entrenchments, while additional units advanced against the Confederates. On December 16, the 93rd engaged the enemy along the Franklin Pike. The Northern military emerged from this battle victorious, prompting the Southerners to withdraw to northern Alabama. The 93rd entered the Battle of Nashville with just ninety men available for duty. In this engagement, the regiment had four men killed and twenty-one more wounded.

The 93rd Regiment's commanding officer issued the following report after the Battle of Nashville:

HDQRS. NINETY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Huntsville, Ala., January 9, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor of submitting the following report of the operations of the Ninety-third Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the battle before Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864:

On the morning of the 15th of December, 1864, I received an order from the colonel commanding the brigade to relieve the picket guard in front of the brigade, requiring a detail of two commissioned officers and sixty enlisted men, and to deploy the remaining portion of the regiment in the line of rifle-pits when vacated by the brigade. This order I complied with, remaining in that position until 4 p.m., when I received an order to withdraw the pickets and rejoin the brigade, which at that time was halting on the Granny White about one mile in front of the position we had occupied. After rejoining the brigade we moved with the brigade and crossed the Franklin pike. After crossing the pike the brigade moved down the pike, halting at a point known as the second line of the enemy's defenses. Here I was ordered to take a position on the right of the front line, the right resting on the turnpike. The brigade advanced, halting at a slight eminence on the pike about 600 yards from the line of the enemy. At this point the regiment was moved to the right and in the rear of the battery, the left of the brigade now resting on the pike. While lying in this position I received an order to furnish two commissioned officers and fifty-six enlisted men to be placed on the skirmish line. This detail was not relieved, and did not participate in the assault. I remained in this position on the right of the turnpike until in the afternoon, when I was directed to unsling knapsacks, place them on piles, and detail a small knapsack guard. The regiment now recrossed the turnpike, the right resting on the pike. This was the position of the regiment in the line during the assault, in which our loss is as follows: Commissioned officers-killed, 1; wounded, 3. Enlisted men-killed, 2; wounded, 22. Total, killed, 3; wounded, 25. Total loss, 28.

Very respectfully,

DANIEL BOWMAN, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Ninety-third Ohio.

Lieut. HAMILTON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Following the Battle of Nashville, the 93rd joined the Union's pursuit of the defeated Confederates. The Southerners escaped their pursuers, and the 93rd entered encampment at Huntsville, Alabama. On February 1, 1865, the regiment departed Huntsville for Nashville. The Ohioans remained at this new location for just five days before returning to their camp at Huntsville. On March 15, 1865, the 93rd departed on an expedition to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. The regiment passed through Bull's Gap, Tennessee, Greenville, Tennessee, and Ashville, North Carolina, before marching to Nashville, Tennessee, reaching this final destination on May 1, 1865. The 93rd entered encampment at Camp Harker on the outskirts of Nashville, where officials mustered the regiment out of service on June 8, 1865. The 93rd departed Nashville, reaching Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio a few days later. Authorities discharged the 93rd's members on June 14, 1865.

During the 93rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry's service, 110 soldiers, including four officers, died from wounds, while an additional 107 enlisted men perished from disease. An additional eight officers and 241 enlisted men received discharges for wounds, illness, or injuries during the course of the war. At least 252 of the regiment's members were wounded once in the conflict, with thirty men being shot twice, and eight men wounded three times.

Related Entries