Overview
The 56th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Morrow in October and December 1861, the regiment was mustered in for three years’ service. The unit participated in major campaigns in the Western Theater and was noted for its involvement in several significant battles.
The regiment’s service extended beyond its original three-year term, with veterans and recruits continuing as a battalion until April 1866. The 56th Ohio Infantry is recognized for its actions at Port Gibson and Champion’s Hill, among other engagements.
Organization & Service
The 56th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Morrow, Ohio, in October and December 1861. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for a three-year term. Its initial field officers included Col. Peter Kinney and Col. William H. Raynor, with Lieut.-Cols. Sampson E. Varner and Henry E. Jones, and Maj. Charles F. Reiniger.
The regiment was attached to various brigades and divisions in the Army of the Tennessee and later the Department of the Gulf. It participated in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862 and the Siege of Corinth. The 56th Ohio was actively engaged in the Vicksburg Campaign, including the battles of Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, Big Sand Run, and the Siege of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg, the regiment took part in operations in Louisiana, including actions at Carrion Crow Bayou, New Iberia, Sabine Cross Roads, Monett’s Ferry, Snaggy Point, and Dunn’s Bayou.
Original members (except veterans) were mustered out in November and December 1864 as their terms expired. The remaining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of three companies. A new company was organized at Columbus on November 23, 1864, for one year’s service and designated as Company D; it was mustered out on November 22, 1865. The remaining three companies continued in service until April 25, 1866, when they were mustered out by order of the War Department.
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
- Battle of Shiloh (Tennessee)
- Siege of Corinth (Mississippi)
- Port Gibson (Mississippi)
- Champion’s Hill (Mississippi)
- Big Sand Run
- Siege of Vicksburg (Mississippi)
- Jackson (Mississippi)
- Carrion Crow Bayou (Louisiana)
- New Iberia (Louisiana)
- Sabine Cross Roads (Louisiana)
- Monett’s Ferry (Louisiana)
- Snaggy Point (Louisiana)
- Dunn’s Bayou (Louisiana)
Casualties
At Port Gibson, the regiment lost 40 killed and wounded. At Champion’s Hill, the loss was 135 killed, wounded, and prisoners. At Sabine Cross Roads, the regiment lost 40 killed, wounded, and missing. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not specified in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Peter Kinney
- Colonel William H. Raynor
- Lieutenant Colonel Sampson E. Varner
- Lieutenant Colonel Henry E. Jones
- Major Charles F. Reiniger
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 56th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for those who served in the unit.
To view the complete roster, visit the 56th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)