Overview
The 76th 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 Sherman, the regiment mustered in between October 5, 1861, and February 3, 1862, for a three-year term. The unit participated in major campaigns in the Western and Southern theaters, including actions in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
The 76th Ohio Infantry is noted for its involvement in significant battles such as Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Bentonville. The regiment reenlisted as veterans in January 1864 and continued service through the end of the war, mustering out on July 15, 1865.
Organization & Service
The 76th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Sherman, Ohio, from October 5, 1861, to February 3, 1862. The regiment left Newark, Ohio, soon after organization and traveled via Paducah, Kentucky, to Fort Donelson, where it took an active part in the engagement. At the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment was exposed to enemy fire throughout the action. During the advance on Corinth, the 76th formed part of the grand reserve, and after the Confederate evacuation, it marched to Memphis, Tennessee, covering 130 miles with wagon supplies.
In August 1862, the regiment joined an expedition down the Mississippi River, landing at Milliken’s Bend, where it surprised and captured the camp and garrison equipage of the 31st Louisiana regiment. At the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the 76th was held in reserve, but at Arkansas Post, it charged to within 100 yards of the enemy rifle pits, held its position under fire for three hours, and participated in the capture of the post.
The regiment was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg and subsequently marched and skirmished in northern Alabama and Tennessee. It arrived at Chattanooga in time to participate in the assault on Lookout Mountain and was engaged at Missionary Ridge. At Ringgold, the 76th charged up Taylor’s Ridge under heavy fire, suffering severe losses, particularly among the color bearers.
In January 1864, about two-thirds of the regiment reenlisted as veterans and were furloughed home. The regiment, originally 962 strong, returned after two years with fewer than 300 men. Upon returning to the field, the 76th participated in the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, the Carolinas Campaign, and fought in the final battle at Bentonville. The regiment was mustered out of service on July 15, 1865.
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
- Fort Donelson
- Shiloh
- Advance on Corinth
- Expedition to Milliken’s Bend
- Chickasaw Bayou
- Arkansas Post
- Siege of Vicksburg
- Operations in northern Alabama and Tennessee
- Chattanooga (Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge)
- Ringgold (Taylor’s Ridge)
- Atlanta Campaign
- March to the Sea
- Carolinas Campaign
- Bentonville
Casualties
During its service, the 76th Ohio Infantry lost 241 men wounded in battle. A total of 351 men died on the field or in hospitals. These figures reflect the regiment’s heavy losses throughout its active campaigns. If more detailed breakdowns are available in official records, they are not included here.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Charles R. Woods
- Colonel William B. Woods
- Lieutenant Colonel Willard Warner
- Lieutenant Colonel Edward Briggs
- Major Reason C. Strong
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 76th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details when available.
To view the complete roster, visit the 76th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (see reports on Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Bentonville)
- 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, Volume 2