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.
Infantry battalions formed in Ohio became known as battalions of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. On November 18, 1864, due to the small number of men left for duty, Special Order No. 21 consolidated the companies of the 96th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry into four new companies and also added one company from the 42nd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, creating the 96th Battalion Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The creation of the 96th Battalion occurred at the mouth of the White River in Arkansas.
The 96th Battalion remained at the White River until February 4, 1865, when it moved to Kennersville, Louisiana and then to Mobile Point, Alabama on February 16. The battalion participated in the Union movements around Mobile, Alabama, including the capture of Spanish Fort on April 8, 1865 and the seizure of Mobile itself on April 12, 1865. After the city's capture, the 96th conducted expeditions to Namahubbal Bluffs and McIntosh Bluffs, returning to Mobile on May 9.
Following the Confederacy's demise in April 1865, the 96th mustered out of military service at Mobile, Alabama on July 7, 1865. The battalion then traveled to Camp Chase at Columbus, Ohio via New Orleans, Louisiana, Cairo, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
