31st Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 31st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Columbus, Ohio, in August and September 1861, the regiment was mustered in for three years’ service. It participated in major campaigns in the Western Theater and was noted for its discipline and active engagement in several significant battles.

The regiment was attached to various commands within the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland. Its service included operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas, and it was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 31st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Columbus, Ohio, during August and September 1861. The regiment mustered in under Colonel Moses B. Walker. On September 30, 1861, it departed Ohio and arrived at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky, on October 2, where it underwent intensive drill and training.

Initially attached to Buell’s Army of the Ohio, the regiment advanced toward Corinth, Mississippi, engaging in frequent skirmishes and participating in the siege of Corinth. In July 1862, the regiment was divided into detachments, with two companies sent to Decatur and one to Trinity, Alabama. The Trinity detachment, consisting of 28 men, was attacked by a much larger Confederate force but successfully repulsed the assault, though with heavy casualties.

The regiment joined the march to Louisville, Kentucky, and was under fire at the battle of Perryville in October 1862, though not actively engaged. At the battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863), the 31st Ohio was actively engaged and performed with distinction. After a period of rest, the regiment participated in the Tullahoma Campaign in June 1863, notably engaging at Hoover’s Gap, where it, alongside the 17th Ohio, captured a position defended by two Confederate brigades.

The regiment fought in both days of the battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, suffering significant losses. It was next engaged at Brown’s Ferry and then at Missionary Ridge, where it was among the first to enter the enemy’s works. Around this time, many men reenlisted as veterans and received a 30-day furlough.

In the spring of 1864, the 31st Ohio joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, participating in the assault at Resaca and suffering heavy losses. The regiment took part in nearly all major actions of the campaign except the battle of Jonesboro. It then marched with Sherman to the sea and through the Carolinas, culminating in the end of the war. The regiment was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Advance on Corinth, Mississippi (Spring 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Operations near Decatur and Trinity, Alabama (July 1862)
• March to Louisville, Kentucky (September–October 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
• Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
• Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Engagement at Hoover’s Gap (June 24–26, 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Brown’s Ferry (October 27, 1863)
• Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including Resaca (May 14–15, 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (February–April 1865)

Casualties

According to Fox’s Regimental Losses and official reports, the 31st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) sustained the following losses:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 6 officers, 86 enlisted men
• Died of disease: 2 officers, 119 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 213

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Moses B. Walker
• Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus W. Grant
• Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Lister
• Lieutenant Colonel Milton B. W. Harmon
• Major Samuel L. Leffingwell
• Major John W. Free

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 31st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 31st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 38
• 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, Volume 2