51st Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 51st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Meigs, near Canal Dover, Ohio, from September 9 to October 12, 1861. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment was mustered for three years and participated in operations primarily in the Western Theater. The 51st Ohio Infantry was engaged in numerous significant campaigns and battles throughout its service, including actions in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and later Texas.

This unit is distinct from any later organizations or service terms of the 51st Ohio Infantry.

Organization & Service

The 51st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Meigs, near Canal Dover, Ohio, between September 9 and October 12, 1861. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for three years. On November 3, 1861, the regiment traveled by rail to Wellsville, Ohio, and then by transport to Louisville, Kentucky. During its first year, the regiment was stationed at various points in Kentucky and Tennessee, performing garrison and guard duties.

The regiment saw its first significant engagement in the fall of 1862 during a foraging expedition at Dobson’s Ferry, Tennessee, where it encountered and defeated Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry. The 51st Ohio suffered 13 wounded in this action, with 3 later dying of their wounds. The regiment participated in the Battle of Stone’s River, where it sustained heavy losses: 32 killed, 105 wounded, and 46 captured. After remaining at Murfreesboro until June 24, 1863, the regiment joined the Tullahoma Campaign and engaged Wheeler’s cavalry at Ringgold, Georgia, driving them to Tunnel Hill.

At the Battle of Chickamauga, the regiment lost 8 killed, 37 men and 1 officer wounded, and 30 captured. The 51st Ohio participated in the storming of Lookout Mountain and the assault through Missionary Ridge at Rossville Gap, suffering 1 killed and 7 wounded in these actions. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization, was furloughed home, and returned in time for the Atlanta Campaign. It fought at Resaca (1 killed, 1 officer and 10 men wounded) and at Kennesaw Mountain (2 officers and 10 men killed, 30 wounded). The regiment continued to see frequent action until the fall of Atlanta, including at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station (10 wounded at the latter).

Following the Atlanta Campaign, the 51st Ohio participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. After the conclusion of major hostilities, the regiment was ordered to Texas, where it was mustered out of service on October 3, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Dobson’s Ferry, Tennessee (1862)
• Battle of Stone’s River
• Tullahoma Campaign
• Ringgold, Georgia
• Battle of Chickamauga
• Lookout Mountain
• Missionary Ridge (Rossville Gap)
• Atlanta Campaign (including Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station)
• Battle of Franklin
• Battle of Nashville

Casualties

• Dobson’s Ferry: 13 wounded (3 died of wounds)
• Stone’s River: 32 killed, 105 wounded, 46 captured
• Chickamauga: 8 killed, 37 men and 1 officer wounded, 30 captured
• Lookout Mountain & Missionary Ridge: 1 killed, 7 wounded
• Resaca: 1 killed, 1 officer and 10 men wounded
• Kennesaw Mountain: 2 officers and 10 men killed, 30 wounded
• Lovejoy’s Station: 10 wounded

Comprehensive total casualty figures for the regiment are not fully detailed in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Stanley Matthews
• Colonel Richard W. McClain
• Colonel Charles H. Wood
• Lieutenant Colonel David W. Marshall
• Major Nathaniel Hayden
• Major John M. Frew

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 51st 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 members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 51st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports on Stone’s River, Chickamauga, Atlanta Campaign)
• Ohio Adjutant General’s Report
• 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