21st Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 21st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Findlay, Ohio, the regiment mustered in for three years’ service on September 19, 1861. The unit participated in major campaigns in the Western Theater and was noted for its active engagement in numerous significant battles and operations.

This unit is distinct from the 21st Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 21st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Findlay, Ohio, and mustered into Federal service on September 19, 1861. Shortly after organization, the regiment received marching orders and was supplied with arms at Camp Dennison on October 2, 1861. The same day, it moved to Nicholasville, Kentucky, and participated in the campaign in eastern Kentucky, including the engagement at Ivy Mountain, where the regiment played a key role in repelling a Confederate ambush.

Assigned to General O. M. Mitchel’s division, the 21st Ohio marched on Bowling Green, Kentucky, and then participated in the advance on Huntsville, Alabama, capturing prisoners and railroad equipment. During the siege of Nashville, the regiment was involved in the capture of part of the 3rd Alabama Rifle Regiment at La Vergne, Tennessee.

The regiment fought at the Battle of Stone’s River, suffering significant casualties and capturing three brass field pieces. It subsequently participated in the Tullahoma Campaign and was engaged at Dug Gap. At the Battle of Chickamauga, the regiment endured heavy fighting and losses. The 21st Ohio was also present at Missionary Ridge.

After veteranizing, the regiment was furloughed home and rejoined the army for the Atlanta Campaign, participating in actions at Buzzard Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Vining’s Station, Nancy’s Creek, Peachtree Creek, and Jonesboro. The regiment continued with Sherman’s March to the Sea, engaging enemy outposts before Savannah, and later fought at Rocky Mount (South Carolina), Averasboro (North Carolina), and Bentonville. The regiment marched through Richmond to Washington, D.C., participated in the Grand Review, and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 25, 1865.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Ivy Mountain (Kentucky)
  • Bowling Green (Kentucky) operations
  • Huntsville (Alabama) operations
  • La Vergne (Tennessee)
  • Battle of Stone’s River
  • Tullahoma Campaign
  • Dug Gap
  • Battle of Chickamauga
  • Missionary Ridge
  • Atlanta Campaign (Buzzard Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Bald Knob, Vining’s Station, Nancy’s Creek, Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro)
  • Sherman’s March to the Sea (Savannah operations)
  • Rocky Mount (South Carolina)
  • Averasboro (North Carolina)
  • Bentonville (North Carolina)

Casualties

At the Battle of Stone’s River, the regiment lost 1 officer and 46 men killed, 76 wounded, and 17 captured. At Chickamauga, losses included 1 officer and 50 men killed, 3 officers and 98 men wounded, and 12 officers and 104 men captured. During the Atlanta Campaign (May 7 to September 2, 1864), the regiment lost 2 officers and 32 men killed, and 5 officers and 119 men wounded, with many of the wounded subsequently dying. Additional losses occurred in other engagements as detailed in official reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Jesse S. Norton
  • Colonel James M. Neibling
  • Lieutenant Colonel Dwella M. Stoughton
  • Lieutenant Colonel Arnold McMahon
  • Major Samuel A. Strong
  • Major George F. Walker

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 21st 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 for those who served in the regiment during its three years of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 21st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 16, 20, 23, 30, 38, 44
  • Ohio Roster Commission, “Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion”
  • 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, Vol. 2
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