11th Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on June 20, 1861, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Virginia, Maryland, and Western Theater campaigns. It was mustered out at Camp Dennison on June 21, 1864. The 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is distinct from the earlier three months’ regiment of the same designation.

Organization & Service

The 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Dennison and mustered in on June 20, 1861. The regiment was initially ordered to the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia, on July 7, 1861, where it remained on duty through the winter and into the following summer. In August 1862, the regiment was transferred east, moving to Alexandria, Virginia, and then ordered to Manassas Junction. Upon arrival at Fairfax Station, the regiment found Confederate forces in possession of Manassas and subsequently participated in actions near Bull Run, acting as rear-guard during the Federal retreat.

In September 1862, the regiment advanced into Maryland, engaging near Frederick City and participating in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. At Antietam, the 11th Ohio led the storming party to capture the bridge, suffering the loss of Colonel Coleman, who was mortally wounded. The regiment continued to serve in the Eastern Theater until the spring of 1863, when it was transferred to the Western Theater. In June 1863, it participated in the engagement at Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee, and led the advance into Manchester. The regiment fought at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, where it captured a battle flag and artillery. It pursued Confederate forces toward Ringgold and later participated in reconnaissance toward Rocky Face Ridge and Buzzard Roost, suffering significant losses in a charge up a steep hill.

In March 1864, the regiment’s veterans returned to Ohio for recruiting, while the unit remained on garrison duty at Ringgold until June. The 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered out at Camp Dennison on June 21, 1864.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Kanawha Valley operations (West Virginia), 1861–1862
• Movement to Alexandria and Fairfax Station, August 1862
• Actions near Bull Run, August 1862
• Maryland Campaign (Frederick City, South Mountain, Antietam), September 1862
• Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee, June 1863
• Manchester, Tennessee, June 1863
• Chickamauga, September 1863
• Lookout Mountain, November 1863
• Missionary Ridge, November 1863
• Ringgold, November 1863
• Reconnaissance toward Rocky Face Ridge and Buzzard Roost, early 1864

Casualties

According to official reports, the 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) suffered significant losses in several major engagements, including Antietam and Buzzard Roost. Exact figures for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in all sources. Fox’s Regimental Losses and the Ohio Adjutant General’s reports provide partial data, but some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles A. De Villiers
• Colonel Philander P. Lane
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Frizell
• Lieutenant Colonel Augustus H. Coleman (mortally wounded at Antietam)
• Lieutenant Colonel Ogden Street
• Major Lyman J. Jackson
• Major Asa Higgins

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 11th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 12, 16, 23, 30
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 2
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 2