66th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 66th 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 McArthur in Urbana, Ohio, in December 1861, the regiment was mustered in for a three-year term. The unit saw service in both the Eastern and Western Theaters, participating in major campaigns and battles throughout the war.

The 66th Ohio Infantry was noted for its active engagement in significant actions, including the Shenandoah Valley campaign, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization in December 1863 and continued to serve until the end of the conflict, mustering out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 66th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp McArthur, Urbana, Ohio, in December 1861, with an initial strength of 850 men. Additional recruits brought the total to approximately 980 before the regiment departed for active service. In January 1862, the regiment joined General Lander’s forces along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in West Virginia.

The regiment’s first major operations were in the Shenandoah Valley campaign against Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson. At the Battle of Port Republic in June 1862, the 66th Ohio played a key role in defending a battery of seven guns, suffering heavy casualties. The regiment was also engaged at Cedar Mountain in August 1862, where it incurred further losses. Following the defeat at Cedar Mountain, the unit moved with its corps to participate in the Battle of Antietam in September 1862.

Later in 1862, the 66th Ohio helped repel an attack by Confederate cavalry under General J. E. B. Stuart at Dumfries, Virginia. In May 1863, the regiment fought at Chancellorsville, holding a position near General Hooker’s headquarters. At Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment was positioned near the right of the Union line.

After Gettysburg, the 66th Ohio was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the Battle of Ringgold, Georgia, in November 1863. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization in December 1863. During the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, the unit was engaged at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, and Peachtree Creek. Following the capture of Atlanta, the regiment continued to serve with Sherman’s army through the end of the war, mustering out on July 13, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862)
• Battle of Port Republic
• Battle of Cedar Mountain
• Battle of Antietam
• Defense of Dumfries
• Battle of Chancellorsville
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Battle of Ringgold, Georgia
• Atlanta Campaign (including Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek)
• March to the Sea and Carolinas Campaign (served with Sherman’s army)

Casualties

At Port Republic, the regiment lost 109 men out of 400 engaged. At Cedar Mountain, it suffered 87 killed and wounded out of 200 in action. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles Candy
• Lieutenant Colonel James H. Dye
• Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Powell
• Lieutenant Colonel John T. Mitchell
• Major Charles E. Fulton
• Major Joshua G. Palmer
• Major Samuel H. Hedges

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 66th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details when available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 66th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XII, XIX, XXVII, XXXVIII
• 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