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Battery K, 2nd Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery

1863–1865

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.

Artillery units in Ohio served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. By mid 1863, Union soldiers had captured numerous Confederate fortifications in the South. The United States government authorized the creation of heavy artillery units to garrison these forts. Ohio provided the government with the 2nd Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery, which consisted of twelve different batteries. The 2nd's Battery K mustered into service on September 7, 1863, at Covington Barracks, at Covington, Kentucky. The men in the battery were to serve three years.

On October 11, 1863, Battery K left Covington for Munfordsville, Kentucky. The battery garrisoned Munfordsville until May 26, 1864, when the organization began an advance to Charleston, Tennessee. On August 18, 1864, Battery K engaged Confederate forces under Joseph Wheeler, helping the Union soldiers to repulse the Southerners' attack at Charleston.

On October 9, 1864, Battery K began an advance to Knoxville, Tennessee. The battery departed Knoxville for Strawberry Plains, Tennessee on November 18, 1864. Officials ordered the battery to assist beleaguered Union forces at Strawberry Plains. Two days later, Battery K returned to Knoxville. On December 7, 1864, the battery, along with other Union forces, participated in a brief campaign into western Virginia. During this expedition, the battery garrisoned Clinch Gap, Tennessee until December 31, 1864, when it returned to Knoxville and manned Fort Lee. In January 1865, the organization moved to Greenville, Tennessee, guarding this community until August 23, 1865.

On August 23, 1865, officials ordered Battery K to Nashville, Tennessee, where the organization mustered out of service. Authorities then sent Battery K to Camp Chase at Columbus, Ohio, where officials discharged the battery's members from military duty on August 29, 1865.

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