125th Ohio Infantry
in the American Civil War
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Online Books
125th Ohio Infantry Soldier Roster - Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866, Volume 8, by Ohio Roster Commission (Joseph B. Foraker, Governor, James S. Robinson, Sec'y of State and H. A. Axline, Adjutant-General), 1886 View Entire Book Regimental History One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Infantry. — Col., Emerson Opdycke; Lieut.-Cols., Henry B. Banning, David H. Moore, Joseph Bruff; Maj., George L. Wood. This regiment was organized at Columbus and Camp Cleveland from Sept. 16, 1862, to Dec. 5, 1863, to serve for three years. Co. A was mustered out of service on June 8, Co. B on June 20, and the remaining companies on Sept. 25, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department. The following is an official list of battles in which this regiment bore an honorable part, as given in the Official Army Register: Franklin, Tenn., (March 9, 1863); Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dandridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Kennesaw mountain, Big Shanty, Peachtree creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Spring Hill, Franklin (Nov. 30, 1864), and Nashville. Chickamauga was the first general engagement the regiment participated in, and just as it entered the battle Col. Opdyke turned in his stirrups and said : "Men of the 125th Ohio, if I or others fall, stand in the ranks until victory is ours." At a crucial moment during the second day's fighting, Gens. Thomas and Garfield rode up to the regiment, and the former said : "This point must be held." And to this Col. Opdyke replied : "We will hold this ground or go to Heaven from it." Then ordering the regiment to fix bayonets, he rode to the front and said : "Men, I will lead you ; follow me !" and plunged into the midst of the fight, followed by the entire brigade. While the battle was raging at its fiercest Opdyke rode along the ranks of his regiment and raising his voice above the din, said: "Stand firm, my boys: I am willing to fight for my country, to die for her, and I hope you are with me." His men responded with cheers and the enemy was repulsed at that point with great slaughter. So prominent was the bravery and the noble fighting of the regiment that Gen. Rosecrans gave it a personal compliment, and Gen. Woods christened it "The Tiger Regiment of Ohio." This fittingly describes the morale of the regiment, and the list of battles tells the story of its heroic service.Footnotes: Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 2 |
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