108th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 108th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered in for three years’ service, with initial companies organized between August 21 and December 19, 1862, and the remaining companies added in February 1864. The 108th Ohio served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several significant campaigns and battles.

Organization & Service

Eight companies of the 108th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) were organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, from August 21 to December 19, 1862. The final two companies joined on February 25 and 26, 1864. Due to the threat posed by Confederate General Kirby Smith’s raid into Kentucky, the partially organized regiment was quickly sent to Covington, Kentucky, where its ranks grew to approximately 600 men.

After a brief period in Kentucky, the regiment moved into Tennessee. At Hartsville on December 7, 1862, the 108th Ohio suffered a severe defeat when attacked by Confederate forces under General John Morgan. The regiment lost 46 killed, 162 wounded, and the remainder were captured. After being exchanged, the regiment rejoined the field and spent the winter near Chattanooga.

In 1864, the 108th Ohio participated in the Atlanta Campaign, engaging in continuous operations for four months. The regiment notably fought at Resaca, where it sustained heavy casualties. It was also engaged at Kennesaw Mountain and other key points during the campaign. In August 1864, several companies stationed at Chattanooga took part in the defense against Confederate General Wheeler’s forces at Dalton, successfully helping to lift the siege.

The regiment subsequently joined Sherman’s March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. At the Battle of Bentonville, the 108th Ohio played a significant role in resisting Confederate attacks. Its final engagement occurred at the Neuse River. The regiment was mustered out of service on June 9 and July 22, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Covington, Kentucky (1862)
• Battle of Hartsville (December 7, 1862)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including Resaca and Kennesaw Mountain
• Engagement at Dalton, Georgia (August 1864)
• Sherman’s March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (early 1865), including the Battle of Bentonville
• Engagement at Neuse River (1865)

Casualties

At the Battle of Hartsville, the regiment lost 46 killed and 162 wounded, with the remainder captured. Additional losses occurred during the Atlanta Campaign, particularly at Resaca. Complete casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel George T. Limberg
• Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Piepho
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Good
• Major Frederick W. Elbreg
• Major Jacob A. Egly
• Major Frederick Beck, Jr.

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 108th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 108th 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)