77th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 77th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Ohio for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruitment and organization took place at Marietta, Columbus, and other locations in Ohio from September 28, 1861, to January 5, 1862. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several major engagements, earning commendation for its conduct in battle.

This regiment served the Union cause for an extended period, with its original members mustering out in late 1864 and early 1865, and the remaining veterans and recruits continuing service until March 1866.

Organization & Service

The 77th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized between September 28, 1861, and January 5, 1862. The regiment mustered into Federal service for three years. It was attached to various brigades and divisions throughout its service, operating under the Army of the Tennessee and later participating in the Department of Arkansas.

The regiment saw its first major action at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, where it suffered heavy casualties. Following Shiloh and the subsequent engagement at Falling Timber, the regiment participated in the siege of Corinth. Later, it was involved in operations in Arkansas, including the capture of Little Rock and actions at Okolona, Prairie d’Ane, Marks’ Mills, and Jenkins’ Ferry. The 77th Ohio was notably reduced in strength after Shiloh due to battle losses, sickness, and other causes, numbering just over 200 men with 13 officers after the engagement.

After the expiration of the original three-year enlistments, non-veteran members were mustered out by companies from December 10, 1864, to January 3, 1865. The remaining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of six companies on January 17, 1865, and continued in service until March 8, 1866, when the unit was finally mustered out in accordance with War Department orders.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Shiloh
• Falling Timber
• Siege of Corinth
• Little Rock
• Okolona
• Prairie d’Ane
• Marks’ Mills
• Jenkins’ Ferry
• Spanish Fort

Casualties

At the Battle of Shiloh and Falling Timber, the 77th Ohio Infantry suffered 50 killed, 114 wounded, and 56 missing, for a total of 220 casualties. The regiment was further reduced by sickness and other causes during its service. At the time of final muster out, the regiment’s strength was reported as 365 men. Detailed total casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully available in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jesse Hildebrand
• Colonel William B. Mason
• Lieutenant Colonel Wills De Hass
• Lieutenant Colonel William E. Stevens
• Major Benjamin D. Fearing

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 77th 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 during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 77th 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,” Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 2