1862–1864
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 regiments formed in Ohio became known as regiments of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. On August 26, 1862, the 99th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Camp Lima, at Lima, Ohio. The men in the regiment were to serve three years. Allen, Shelby and Hancock Counties, Ohio provided two companies of men each, while Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert, and Putnam Counties provided one company each. Officials recruited 1,700 men for the 99th, but regiments typically numbered just one thousand men. For this reason, authorities assigned seven hundred of these recruits to form the basis of the 118th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Upon organizing the regiment, officials ordered the 99th to Lexington, Kentucky. Departing Camp Lima on August 31, 1862, the regiment arrived at Paris, Kentucky on September 2, where it remained until September 3. Confederates had taken possession of Lexington, and officials ordered the 99th to withdraw from Paris to Cynthiana, Kentucky. The regiment spent several weeks garrisoning Cynthiana, as well as Falmouth and Butler's Station, Kentucky, before transferring to Covington, Kentucky, where the 99th garrisoned Fort Mitchel. On September 17, the regiment departed via steamboats for Louisville, Kentucky, where it encamped across the Ohio River from Louisville at Jeffersonville, Indiana. The 99th soon returned to Louisville, helping to defend the city against a suspected attack by General Braxton Bragg's Confederates. At Louisville, the regiment became part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 21st Corps. As Bragg's Confederates withdrew, the 99th followed in pursuit as far as Wild Cat, Kentucky. Near Wild Cat, the regiment intercepted some recruits for Bragg's army, capturing twenty-five men and twelve horses. From Wild Cat, the 99th marched through the Kentucky communities of Mount Vernon, Somerset, Columbia, Glasgow, Gallatin, and Lebanon. At Lebanon, the regiment attempted to attack General John Hunt Morgan's Confederate cavalry, but the Southerners retreated as the Northerners advanced. The Union soldiers withdrew to Silver Springs, Kentucky, and Morgan's Confederates captured approximately twenty stragglers from the 99th.
After resting for a few days at Silver Springs, the 99th moved to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment participated in the Battle of Stones River, advancing to the battlefield on December 26, 1862 and taking position on the Union left. For the first several days, the 99th saw little action, but on January 1, 1863, Confederate forces, under the command of Braxton Bragg, concentrated much of their efforts on the 3rd Brigade, including the 99th. The Union forces retained control of the field, prompting Bragg to retreat. At the Battle of Stones River, the 99th had twenty men, including three officers, killed, another forty-three soldiers, including two officers wounded, and an additional thirty men, including one officer, captured. An officer of the 99th issued the following report after the battle of Stones River:
Report of Lieut. Col. John E. Cummins, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, of engagement January 2.
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,
Near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 24, 1863.
SIR: The following is a copy of my remarks accompanying my report of killed, wounded, and missing of this regiment in the battle of Stone's River, which report was made on the 4th day of January, 1863:
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report:
The Ninety-ninth Regt. went into action on January 2 with 369 men, rank and file.
The regiment lost, as the foregoing shows, 1 commissioned officer and 11 enlisted men, killed; 3 commissioned officers and 41 enlisted men, wounded; 1 commissioned officer and 35 enlisted men are missing. Of this number some are known to have been wounded on the field, and some to be prisoners in the hands of the enemy.
After the regiment was compelled to fall back, I found that, with but few exceptions, the men rallied and went back into the action. The conduct of the officers and men of the regiment was all that could be asked, and I might to injustice to some to mention particular instances of good conduct. Col. Swaine, who was in command, and is wounded and absent from the regiment, sends back word that he was well satisfied with the conduct of all the officers and men of his command, and that they obeyed every order which he gave, with promptness.
J. E. CUMMINS,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Col. PRICE,
Cmdg. Third Brigade, Third Division, Left Wing.
There are several inaccuracies in the report made at that time. It should have reported 12 enlisted men and 1 commissioned officer killed; 1commissioned officer and 29 enlisted men missing.
J. E. CUMMINS,
Lieut.-Col. Ninety-ninth Ohio.
Col. STANLEY MATTHEWS,
Cmdg. Third Brigade, Third Division.
Following the Battle of Stones River, the 99th remained in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. During a scout to Snow Hill, the regiment encountered some Confederate soldiers, having one man wounded in the ensuing engagement. On June 30, 1863, the 99th advanced via Woodbury to McMinnville, Tennessee, where the regiment stayed until August 16, when it moved to Pikeville, Tennessee. On August 31, five companies of the regiment escorted a supply train from McMinnville to Dunlap, Tennessee and then to Poe's Tavern, Tennessee. From Poe's Tavern, the companies marched through Bridgeport, Tennessee and Chattanooga, Tennessee, before rejoining the rest of the 99th at Ringgold, Georgia. The 99th next fought at the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19 and 20, 1863) in Georgia, engaging the enemy both days and having five men, including two officers, killed, twenty-eight men wounded, and an additional twenty-four men captured. Following this Union defeat, the 99th retreated to Chattanooga with the rest of the Northern army. At Chattanooga, the 99th became part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps. Officials first stationed the regiment at Williams Island and then at Shell Mound on November 1, 1863. On November 22, the 99th moved to Chattanooga, where it engaged Confederate forces at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, 1863. On November 25, at the Battle of Missionary Ridge, the 99th attacked the left portion of the Confederate line. Following the Confederate withdrawal, the regiment pursued the Southerners as far as Ringgold, when it returned to Shell Mound on December 1, 1863. In these engagements, the 99th had three men killed andthirteen men, including one officer, wounded. Following the Battle of Chickamauga, officers of the 99th issued the following reports:
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEERS, Chattanooga, Tenn., September 26, 1863.
SIR: In giving a report of the operations of my command, I must preface by saying it varied from a regiment to a brigade.
On the 4th instant, my regiment crossed the Tennessee River [Lieut. Col. John E. Cummins being back with 139 officers and men escorting a train].
Marched on the 5th to Whiteside‘ 6th, to Murphy's Valley; 8th, to Trenton Valley; 9th, to Rossville, Chattanooga Valley; 10th, to within 6 miles of Ringgold; 11th, through Ringgold and 3 miles beyond, fighting rear guard of enemy all day [was joined by Col. Cummins' command that night]; 12th, to Gordon's Mills; 13th, made part of a reconnoitering force under the division commander to feel the enemy, the reconnaissance resulting in a sharp skirmish with the enemy; 14th, to within 16 miles of Chattanooga, in Chattanooga Valley; 15th, to a position about 2 miles beyond Crawfish Spring, on the West Chickamauga Creek; there we remained on the 16th, 17th, and 18th, our pickets on the latter day having a very lively skirmish with the cavalry and artillery of the enemy.
That night we were marched back to Gordon's Mills, and on the morning of the 19th we participated in the great battle.
Soon after daylight I was placed in command of the Thirteenth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Mast; the Eighty-sixth Indiana, Maj. Dick; Stevens' [Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania] battery; a section of Swallow's [Seventh Indiana] battery, and the Ninety-ninth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Cummins, and occupied a very prominent and commanding position on the creek, from which point the batteries did good execution in silencing the enemy's guns and preventing them from establishing batteries. This command was ordered by detachments farther to the left, and I was ordered with my regiment to join my brigade, then on its advance upon the enemy. I was placed in command of the second line, the Thirty-fifth Indiana, Maj. Dufficy, and the Ninety-ninth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Cummins.
The first line soon got hotly engaged with the enemy, driving them for about 1, 200 yards, part of the distance through a dense thicket of trees and underbrush. Suddenly a heavy force of the enemy appeared in their front and, as I afterward heard, on their flank, compelling those two brave regiments [the Eighth Kentucky and Fifty-first Ohio] to fall back. The second line was in supporting distance, lying on the ground. I ordered the men to lie still until the colors of the advance regiments should fall to our rear, and as soon as our front was cleared of our own men, I ordered an advance, which was gallantly made in the face of a deadly fire of musketry, the Irishmen and Buckeyes keeping up a perfect flame of fire and shower of lead. Our line staggered for a moment, the command "Lie down" was promptly obeyed, and the volley from the enemy's re-enforcements sped harmlessly over their backs. In an instant they obeyed the command to advance again, and were dealing terrific punishment to the foe, when another line opened upon our right flank, doing us more injury than we had suffered before. The time had come to retreat, and I cautioned them in retiring to fight their way back. The line fell back in good order, fighting, and retired to the battery in our rear, where the brigade was ordered to remain and [hold] the position, a commanding one.
That night we were ordered to march to the left, leaving our pickets, and next day were pushed early into action, moving hither and thither to the support of our troops wherever they were hard pressed, our last position being with Gen. Baird's division, of the Fourteenth Army Corps. This division received the order to fall back, fighting, late in the afternoon, after all the support on the right had been driven from the field.
On the top of the ridge to our rear, I halted my retreating force, and seeing that a general rout had taken place from all the forces in our vicinity, I assumed command and ordered all the bugles to blow the assembly. The color-bearers of some twenty regiments planted their colors, and at the cry "Rally round the flag, boys!" the tide of retreat was checked, and I found myself commanding a force worthy to be led by one of much higher rank. I formed to resist cavalry, requiring the men to divide their cartridges with those out of ammunition. Knowing, however, the command was too much disorganized to resist a further attack from infantry, I directed that it should fall back to Rossville and there reorganize.
At this juncture we were joined by general officers and brigade commanders, relieving me from further responsibility, but they accomplished my suggested movement.
The next morning we took position on the left of the works at Chattanooga, and I was placed in command of the advance forces of the division composed of the Second Brigade, Col. Dick, and detachments from the First and Third Brigades. The enemy that day massing troops in the valley, compelled me to withdraw the troops from Missionary Hill, the Thirteenth Ohio and Forty-fourth Indiana making a good resistance under the command of Lieut.-Col. Aldrich, and falling back in good order as a grand guard on the picket line. The Fifty-ninth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Frambes, came near being cut off, but forced their way in with a loss of 2 officers and 14 men. Since that day nothing of importance has occurred except skirmishers on the picket line.
My regiment entered into battle with 24 officers and 333 enlisted men. Aggregate loss, 57, as follows: Killed, 3 enlisted men; wounded, 2 officers and 19 men; wounded and missing, 9 men; missing, 24 men.
[See report* in full herewith inclosed.]
In closing my report, it becomes my duty to speak of the conduct of the troops I commanded in battle, the Ninety-ninth Ohio and Thirty-fifth Indiana. They behaved with coolness, bravery, and daring, were obedient to a fault and maneuvered in the hottest of the fight as handsomely as on drill. Lieut.-Col. Cummins, who knows not what fear is, managed his men with coolness and judgment, particularly on Saturday, when he changed front with two companies–Capt. Bopes' and Lieut. Davidson's–to resist an enfilading fire on his men. Maj. Dufficy could always be found at his post giving commands, and anticipating my orders very anxiously. I must leave for his report a particular mention of those of his regiment who behaved most gallantly. Lieut. William Zay, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, held his post on the picket line all Saturday night with 15 men of Gen. Bragg's escort, who had a fine revolving pistol. I recommend that he be allowed to keep this pistol as a compliment to him and the brave little band he commanded.
Capt. Harrison Strong volunteered to advance skirmishers upon the enemy when they were reported marching upon us at a certain point, and he with Capt. Barnd and Lieut. McConnell were very efficient as commanders of skirmishers. Color-Serg. William Duncan deserves the warmest praise for the gallant manner in which he bore the Stars and Stripes in the strife, and was cool and collected, holding the colors aloft even in retreat, that the men might "Rally round the flag." Maj. Le Fever was with us through the battle, but was absent four days after, reporting sick, and that his leg was bruised by a piece of shell. Capt. Persinger left us in the battle Sunday morning reporting sick. Lieut. Richards the same, Lieut. Goble and First Sergeant Bennett, Company G, were not in the battle, but left before a shot was fired; their conduct reflects on themselves and regiment. The absence of Capt. Persinger and Lieut. Goble left Company H without an officer. Lieut. Harper, of Company K, ably commanded it in Sunday's battle. Lieut. Shaw, Company C, was not in the battle on account of sickness.
With the exceptions mentioned, my whole regiment did their duty well and proved themselves soldiers.
I remain, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. T. SWAINE,
Col. Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Capt. WILLIAM H. CATCHING,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Shellmound, December 3, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the late engagement at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Ringgold, Ga.:
The regiment marched from Shellmound on Monday morning, November 23, with 24 commissioned officers and 276 enlisted men. Fifteen men and 1 commissioned officer were detailed to guard brigade headquarters teams, and 12 enlisted men to guard ammunition train. These men were not afterward with the regiment until our return to Shellmound. The regiment went into the fight on Lookout Mountain with 23 commissioned officers and 241 enlisted men, of which 3 enlisted men were killed, 12 enlisted men wounded, and 1 commissioned officer wounded, viz.*
In marching up Lookout Mountain, with very few exceptions, the men and officers behaved exceedingly well. From the time the firing commenced on the skirmish line in the advance, the men pressed forward so eagerly that it was impossible to keep them back, and they rushed through the line in front, running right over the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Infantry, and taking the extreme advance. I tried to halt the regiment and reform it in the intrenchments to the left of the white house, but it was impossible; the men rushed on, sweeping around the mountain until we met a heavy force of the enemy near where they had built rifle-pits on the side of the mountain next Chattanooga. I ordered the men to take position behind a stone wall, which position they held the men to take position was nearly exhausted, and they were relieved by other troops. Nearly all of the officers and men behaved gallantly, and I only mention those who fell under my immediate notice. Adjt. E. B. Walkup was close by my side during the whole engagement, and rendered me valuable assistance. Capt. Bope, when we were in the extreme advance, took charge of a party of men, stationed them among the rocks, and skirmished with the enemy back in a large open space between our troops and those on the right of the front line. I should remark that a portion, or perhaps the whole of the Fortieth Ohio Regt. and the Ninety-ninth, became mingled together in the impetuosity of the charge in the front, and remained there until relieved, fighting gallantly. Private Jacob Butler, of Company G, who captured a rebel major and was the first man in one of the rebel earth-works, deserves special notice; also Sergeant Duncan, color bearer of the regiment.
At Mission Ridge the regiment was not under fire. At Pigeon Mountain, Company D [Capt. Bope] and Company B [Lieut. Davison] were deployed as skirmishers, and advanced up the ridge on double-quick, capturing a rebel captain of artillery and 1 private.
At Ringgold the regiment was ordered to charge up Taylor's Ridge on the right of the gap, which they started to do with great alacrity, the skirmishers being advanced one-third of the way up the ridge, when the regiment was ordered back.
Private Clark Thornton, of Company D, who was a deserter from the regiment, voluntarily went with the regiment and engaged in the fight, acting with great coolness and bravery, always being in the front rank. I therefore recommend that he be restored to duty with the loss of pay during his absence.
The regiment returned to camp yesterday with all of the men it started with, except the killed and a portion of the wounded.
Respectfully, yours,
J. E. CUMMINS,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Lieut. J. ROWAN BOONE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
P. S.–Company B was detailed in charge of regimental wagons, and the company joined us before the charge on Lookout Mountain, except 8 men left in charge of wagons.
The 99th remained at Shell Mound until February 27, 1864, when the regiment advanced to Cleveland, Tennessee. On May 3, 1864, the 99th embarked upon William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The regiment fought in the Battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesborough, and Lovejoy. One engagement was especially bloody for the 99th. Occurring on June 20, near Kennesaw Mountain, the 99th and other Union troops were in the process of fortifying a hilltop with wooden breastworks, when Confederate forces launched an artillery barrage and made infantry assault after infantry assault on the Northern position. The Union soldiers held the ground. In this engagement, the 99th had eight men killed and seventeen, including two officers, wounded. During the Atlanta Campaign, the 99th had a grand total of thirty men killed and fifty-six wounded. Upon the campaign's successful conclusion, the regiment reported to Decatur, Georgia on September 8, 1864. Now part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps, the 99th's men experienced several weeks of rest while at Decatur. During the Atlanta Campaign, officers of the 99th issued the following reports:
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, In the Field, July 10, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the present campaign since the 24th day of June:
Since that date the regiment has not been engaged with the enemy. The regiment in the rear line until the 27th, when it occupied works in very close proximity to the skirmishers of the enemy. Our skirmishers were ordered upon that day to make a demonstration upon the pickets of the rebels, which they did, keeping up a brisk fire during the greater part of the day. Our loss on that day was 2 killed and 4 wounded. We remained in the same position on the 28th, with a loss of 1 killed and 1 wounded. The evening of the 28th the regiment was relieved by the One hundred and thirtieth Indiana, and took position in the rear line.
On the 1st day of July the regiment moved with the entire brigade to the extreme right of the army, where our lines were advanced several miles. Company A, under the command of Capt. Exline, occupied the extreme right of our skirmish line, but without loss. The men worked during that night and the following day building breast-works. On the 4th day of July the regiment again moved forward several miles; being in the rear line, was not under fire, since which time nothing of interest has occurred.
Casualties since June 24.+
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN E. CUMMINS,
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Col. P. T. SWAINE,
Comdg. Second Brig., First Div., 23d Army Corps.
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Before Atlanta, Ga., July 30, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the present campaign since the 7th instant:
On that day the regiment was camped at Ruff's Station on the railroad. Marched on the 8th to the Chattahoochee River, near Isham's Ferry, where it camped with the rest of the brigade until the 11th, when we crossed the river, camping on this side until the 19th, when the brigade marched to Decatur. The Ninety-ninth Regt. was in advance on that day, and after Crossing Peach Tree Creek soon encountered a strong cavalry force of the enemy. Four companies were soon deployed as skirmishers, and shortly afterward the whole regiment was deployed, and moved forward (supported by several companies of the One hundred and twenty-third Indiana) and skirmished constantly with the enemy until we came within a few hundred yards of Decatur, when the regiment being out of ammunition, was relieved by the One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
The casualties of the regiment on that day were as follows.*
On the 20th the regiment moved with the rest of the brigade to within three miles of Atlanta, where the enemy was found in force in our immediate front. On the 22d instant, the enemy having evacuated their works in our immediate front, the regiment moved to its present position, where it has furnished its regular details for the picket-line where they are constantly skirmishing with the enemy, but so far without any loss to the regiment.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN E. CUMMINS,
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Vol. Infty.
Col. P. T. SWAINE,
Comdg. Second Brig., First Div., 23d Army Corps.
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Near Atlanta, Ga., August 12, 1864.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in this campaign since the 31st day of July, 1864:
On the evening of August 1 the regiment moved from near the extreme left of the army toward the right. Nothing of interest transpired until the 3d, when, together with the rest of the brigade,
the regiment moved across ——- Creek in the face of the enemy, driving the enemy's skirmishers from a prominent hill, which was immediately fortified, where the regiment lay until the 6th instant under a very heavy fire, frequently from the enemy's batteries, the regiment losing 2 enlisted men killed; also 1 officer, Lieut. Zay, of Company D, was wounded on the skirmish line. On the 6th the regiment again moved with the brigade to the extreme right of the army, where we became engaged with the enemy, driving them half a mile, and holding the position until ordered to retire. The loss of the regiment on that day was 1 killed and 4 wounded. From that date the regiment has not been engaged with the enemy, but has been almost constantly engaged in building fortifications. The extreme exposure and constant working is telling badly on the health and vigor of the men of the regiment.
The following is a list of the casualties:*
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN E. CUMMINS,
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Vol. Infty.
Col. P. T. SWAINE,
Comdg. Second Brig., First Div., 23d Army Corps.
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH; REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Near Decatur, September 8, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the late campaign since the 12th day of August, 1864:
Nothing of interest transpired until the 19th of August, when the brigade made the reconnaissance in the direction of the Montgomery railroad. The Ninety-ninth Ohio on that day was in the advance and upon the skirmish line. It met with very slight resistance from a small number of rebel cavalry, who rapidly withdrew before us, exchanging a few shots without loss to either party. The officers and men on that day were especially diligent and faithful in the discharge of their duties and staid closely at their posts.
Nothing more than the regular routine of camp occurred from that day until the 28th instant, when the brigade moved away from the front of Atlanta. The regiment on that day was left until the rest of the brigade had moved to protect our rear, and four companies of the regiment skirmished with the rebel cavalry, but without loss.
In the campaign beyond Jonesborough the regiment was at no time engaged with the enemy, and although under the enemy's fire, both of artillery and musketry, on the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th of September, the regiment met with no loss except 1 man wounded–John August, Company H, severely wounded, right shoulder.
The officers and men of the regiment uniformly conducted themselves as soldiers should. No opportunity was given for any officer or soldier to especially distinguish himself during the time.
JOHN E. CUMMINS,
Lieu. Col., Comdg. 99th Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Brig. Gen. J. A. COOPER,
Comdg. First Brig., Second Div., 23d Army Corps.
On October 1, 1864, Union forces, including the 99th, set out in pursuit of Confederate General John Bell Hood's command, which was advancing towards Nashville, Tennessee. The 99th marched through Resaca, Johnsonville, and Waverly to Centerville on the Duck River, where the regiment guarded several crossings on the river. On December 1, officials ordered the 99th to Franklin, Tennessee. As the regiment approached this city, it became clear that the Confederates were in possession of the community. For this reason, the regiment marched to Nashville, where the main Union army was located, arriving on December 10. On December 15, the Union army advanced on Hood's entrenched position, with the 99th being in the center of the Northern line. The regiment and the other Union forces drove the Confederates from the field during the Battle of Nashville (December 15 and 16). The 99th pursued the Rebels as far as Columbia, Tennessee. At this location, due to the small number of soldiers remaining in the 99th Regiment, officials consolidated the 99th with the 50th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 99th became part of the 50th and ceased to exist as a separate organization. Following the Battle of Nashville, officers of the 99th issued the following report:
HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY., In the Field, December 22, 1864.
SIR: In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the engagement near Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant:
The regiment moved with the brigade early on the morning of the 15th toward the enemy. Nothing of interest transpired until about the middle of the afternoon, when the regiment moved forward a considerable distance in line of battle, meeting with no enemy until in passing across an open field the enemy appeared on the left flank of the brigade behind a stone wall, and in our front on a high steep hill a small body of infantry with three pieces of artillery. As soon as the rebel battery opened, the men yelled and rushed forward without orders, charging up the hill on a run. The rebels were driven from their position and the artillery captured. The officers and men of this regiment contributed their fair share to the success of this movement. On the top of a hill beyond the one on which the artillery was captured the regiment went into position, with the Third Tennessee on the right and Twenty-fifth Michigan on the left, and remained until after night, when the regiment, by orders, moved to another position and spent the whole night in fortifying.
On the morning of the 16th we found the enemy entrenched on a hill in our immediate front, within rifle-range, and all days shots were being exchanged between the rebels and skirmishers from this regiment. The regiment was also exposed to shots from the enemy's main line of works, but sustained no loss. The regiment was not otherwise engaged during the day.
The following is the list of casualties in this regiment on the 25th instant.+
The officers and men of the regiment conducted themselves well, but no opportunity was given for special acts of courage.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN E. CUMMINS.
Lieut. Col., Cmdg. Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Capt. T. C. HONNELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
During its term of existence as its own independent organization, the 99th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry had 258 men, including two officers, die from disease or accidents, and an additional eighty-four men, including two officers, receive mortal wounds.
