36th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 36th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Marietta, Ohio, from July 30 to August 31, 1861, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Virginia and later in the Western and Shenandoah theaters. It was known for its active participation in numerous campaigns and battles, and for reenlisting as a veteran regiment in early 1864.

This unit served under the Union banner and was attached to various brigades and divisions throughout its service, seeing action in both eastern and western campaigns before mustering out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 36th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Marietta, Ohio, between July 30 and August 31, 1861. The regiment was mustered in for three years’ service and initially deployed to western Virginia, where it remained until the spring of 1862. Early in its service, the regiment was engaged at the Battle of Lewisburg in May 1862, where it, alongside the 44th Ohio, repelled a Confederate attack and captured prisoners, artillery, and small arms.

During the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, the 36th Ohio was held in reserve and later played a key role in controlling stragglers and fugitives after the Union defeat. The regiment was involved in a skirmish at Frederick, Maryland, and participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam in September 1862. At South Mountain, the regiment took part in a bayonet charge that contributed to the Union success on that part of the field. Its losses at Antietam were minimal, with most exposure to artillery fire.

In the spring of 1863, the regiment was transferred to the western theater, participating in the Tullahoma Campaign and the engagement at Hoover’s Gap. The 36th suffered significant losses at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. It was also present at Brown’s Ferry and Missionary Ridge, losing 83 men at the latter.

Early in 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and was furloughed home. Upon return, it resumed operations in West Virginia, fighting at Cloyd’s Mountain in May 1864 and participating in the Lynchburg expedition and subsequent retreat. The regiment saw further action at Kabletown, Kernstown, Halltown, Berryville, the Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek during the Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1864. The 36th Ohio Infantry was mustered out at Wheeling, West Virginia, on July 27, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Western Virginia operations (1861–1862)
• Battle of Lewisburg (May 1862)
• Second Battle of Bull Run (August 1862)
• Frederick, Maryland skirmish (September 1862)
• Battle of South Mountain (September 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 1862)
• Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Hoover’s Gap (June 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 1863)
• Brown’s Ferry (October 1863)
• Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Cloyd’s Mountain (May 1864)
• Lynchburg Expedition (June 1864)
• Kabletown (July 1864)
• Kernstown (July 1864)
• Halltown (August 1864)
• Berryville (September 1864)
• Battle of Opequon (Third Winchester, September 1864)
• Fisher’s Hill (September 1864)
• Cedar Creek (October 1864)

Casualties

At the Battle of Lewisburg, the regiment lost 7 killed, 44 wounded, and 5 captured. At Chickamauga, 70 were killed. At Missionary Ridge, 83 men were lost. At Kabletown, 3 were killed and 4 wounded; at Berryville, 25 were killed and wounded; at Opequon, 33 killed and wounded; at Fisher’s Hill, 4 wounded; and at Cedar Creek, 22 killed and wounded. Comprehensive total casualty figures for the entire service term are not provided in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel George Crook
• Colonel Melvin Clark
• Colonel Ebenezer B. Andrews
• Colonel William G. Jones
• Colonel Hiram F. DuVal
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. G. Adney
• Lieutenant Colonel William S. Wilson
• Major Jewette Palmer
• Major Benjamin J. Ricker

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 36th 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 36th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Western Virginia, Army of the Potomac, Army of the Cumberland, and Army of West Virginia reports)
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 4
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)