121st Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 121st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Delaware, Ohio, on September 11, 1862, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns across Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It was known for its involvement in several significant battles and for acts of gallantry recognized by brigade and division commanders.

Organization & Service

The 121st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered into Federal service at Delaware, Ohio, on September 11, 1862. The regiment entered Kentucky with a strength of 985 men and was initially engaged in the fall campaign of 1862, including the battle of Perryville. Following this, the unit performed guard duty in Kentucky until January 1863, when it was ordered to Tennessee.

During the summer of 1863, the regiment remained in Tennessee and was heavily engaged on the second day of the battle of Chickamauga. In a notable charge to secure the last remaining road into Chattanooga, the 121st Ohio captured the colors and a majority of the 22nd Alabama Confederate Infantry. After Chickamauga, the regiment withdrew with the Union Army to Chattanooga and participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge in November 1863.

In 1864, the regiment joined the Atlanta Campaign, first engaging at Buzzard Roost Gap and later at Rome, Georgia, where it was commended for being the first to enter the city. The 121st Ohio took part in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, suffering significant casualties, and continued through the battles of Peachtree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, and the final assault at Jonesboro. The regiment then marched to Savannah with Sherman’s army and participated in the Carolinas Campaign, including the battle of Bentonville. The regiment was mustered out of service on June 8, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Kentucky Campaign (1862)
• Battle of Perryville
• Battle of Chickamauga
• Siege of Chattanooga
• Battle of Lookout Mountain
• Battle of Missionary Ridge
• Atlanta Campaign (including Buzzard Roost Gap, Rome, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro)
• March to the Sea
• Carolinas Campaign (including Battle of Bentonville)

Casualties

• Chickamauga: 19 killed, 77 wounded, 3 missing (likely killed)
• Kennesaw Mountain: 164 killed and wounded
• Atlanta Campaign: 240 killed, wounded, and captured (only one captured)
• Bentonville: 6 killed, 20 wounded

Comprehensive total casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William P. Reid
• Colonel Henry B. Banning
• Lieutenant Colonel William S. Irwin
• Lieutenant Colonel Maecenas C. Lawrence
• Lieutenant Colonel Aaron B. Robinson
• Major Reason R. Henderson
• Major John Yager
• Major Jacob M. Banning

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 121st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 121st Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XVI, XXIII, XXXVIII, XLVII
• 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