68th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 68th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Ohio during the American Civil War. Mustered into United States service between October and December 1861, the regiment drew its companies from Defiance, Paulding, Williams, Fulton, and Henry counties. The 68th Ohio served with the Union Army, primarily in the Western Theater, and participated in major campaigns including the Vicksburg and Atlanta operations.

This regiment is distinct from any other Ohio infantry units with different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 68th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at large in Ohio in late 1861, with companies formed from several northwestern counties. The regiment assembled at Camp Chase in January 1862 and remained there until February, when it moved to Fort Donelson, Tennessee. Throughout 1862, the regiment was primarily engaged in guard duty and related assignments.

In the spring of 1863, the 68th Ohio played a significant role in the Vicksburg campaign. The regiment crossed the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg and participated in the battle of Port Gibson. It was actively engaged in the subsequent battles of Raymond, Jackson, and Champion’s Hill, suffering notable losses, particularly at Champion’s Hill. The regiment took part in the assaults on the Confederate works at Vicksburg on May 19 and May 22, spending much of the early siege in the trenches and providing sharpshooter details. Later in the siege, the regiment was assigned to the “Army of Observation” near the Big Black River.

In October 1863, the 68th Ohio joined a reconnaissance with the XVII Corps, engaging in a skirmish at Bogue Chitto Creek. It also fought at Clinton and Jackson during the Meridian campaign. The regiment was among the first in the XVII Corps to have three-fourths of its men reenlist as veterans. After a veteran furlough, the 68th Ohio rejoined General Sherman for the Atlanta campaign, serving on the advance line for an extended period and fighting at Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack, Atlanta (July 22 and 28), Jonesboro, and Lovejoy’s Station.

Following the Atlanta campaign, the regiment participated in Sherman’s March to the Sea and the subsequent campaign through the Carolinas. The 68th Ohio was present at the surrenders of both Lee and Johnston, marched in the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 10, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Fort Donelson (1862)
• Vicksburg Campaign (1863): Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion’s Hill, Assaults on Vicksburg (May 19 and 22), Siege of Vicksburg
• Bogue Chitto Creek (1863)
• Clinton and Jackson (Meridian Campaign, 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (1864): Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack, Atlanta (July 22 and 28), Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station
• March to the Sea (1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (1865)

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 68th Ohio Infantry sustained losses in several major engagements, particularly at Champion’s Hill and during the Atlanta campaign. Exact figures for killed, wounded, and disease-related deaths are not fully detailed in all sources. Fox’s Regimental Losses and the Ohio Adjutant General’s reports provide some casualty statistics, but comprehensive totals are not consistently reported for every engagement.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Samuel H. Steedman
• Colonel Robert K. Scott
• Lieutenant Colonel John S. Snook
• Lieutenant Colonel George E. Wells
• Major Arthur Crockett

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 68th 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 for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, please visit the 68th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 24, 32, and related correspondence
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 6
• 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)