97th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 97th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Zanesville, Ohio, the regiment mustered in on September 2, 1862, for a three-year term. The unit served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns and battles with the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland.

The regiment is noted for its involvement in significant engagements such as Perryville, Stone’s River, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign, and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. Its service was marked by heavy combat and substantial casualties.

Organization & Service

The 97th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Zanesville, Ohio, and mustered into Federal service on September 2, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment moved by rail to Covington Heights, Kentucky, near Cincinnati, where it took up a defensive position during the Confederate raid led by Kirby Smith. The regiment was stationed near Fort Mitchel, approximately three miles from the Ohio River.

Following this initial deployment, the regiment joined the Army of the Ohio and participated in the Battle of Perryville, where it helped repel Confederate attempts to turn the Union right. The 97th Ohio was also engaged at the Battle of Stone’s River, suffering 25 men killed and wounded in that action.

In late 1863, the regiment fought at Missionary Ridge, incurring heavy losses of 156 officers and men killed and wounded. The winter of 1863–1864 was spent in East Tennessee. In May 1864, the regiment entered the Atlanta Campaign, participating in actions at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, and Kennesaw Mountain. The regiment was under constant fire at Dallas and made several charges at Kennesaw Mountain, including a costly assault on June 22, where 112 out of 153 men sent forward were killed or wounded in 30 minutes. Another general charge on June 27 resulted in 35 additional casualties.

At the Battle of Peachtree Creek, the regiment withstood seven Confederate charges, earning commendation and exemption from further picket and fatigue duty for the remainder of the campaign. The 97th Ohio also fought at Jonesboro and assisted in driving Confederate forces back to Lovejoy’s Station.

During the Franklin-Nashville Campaign, the regiment was engaged at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville, participating in two charges during the final battle. After wintering in Alabama, the regiment returned to Nashville following the surrender of Confederate forces. Members whose service would have expired before October 1, 1865, were mustered out on June 10, 1865. Remaining members were transferred to the 26th Ohio Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Cincinnati (September 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 1862)
• Battle of Stone’s River (December 1862–January 1863)
• Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• East Tennessee operations (Winter 1863–1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station
• Franklin-Nashville Campaign (November–December 1864): Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville
• Post-war duty in Alabama and Tennessee (1865)

Casualties

During its term of service, the 97th Ohio Infantry lost 113 officers and men killed and 560 wounded. At Stone’s River, the regiment lost 25 men killed and wounded; at Missionary Ridge, 156 officers and men were killed and wounded; at Adairsville, 20 men were lost in less than 15 minutes; at Kennesaw Mountain, 112 out of 153 men sent forward on June 22 were killed or wounded, and 35 more were lost in the general charge on June 27. These figures are based on official reports and regimental records.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John Q. Lane
• Lieutenant Colonel Milton Barnes
• Major James W. Moore

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 97th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 97th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 7
• 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)