3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters in the American Civil War

Overview

The 3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters served as part of the Union Army during the American Civil War. This company, along with the 1st and 2nd Ohio Independent Companies, was organized in Ohio and attached to Birge’s Western Sharpshooters, later designated as the 14th Missouri Infantry and finally as the 66th Illinois Infantry. The 3rd Company was recruited in Allen and Hardin counties, enrolled at Lima, Ohio, and mustered into U.S. service on April 7, 1862, at Camp Chase, Columbus. The company was known for its marksmanship and served in the Western Theater, participating in several major campaigns and battles.

This unit is distinct from the 3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters (Roster) and other Ohio sharpshooter companies.

Organization & Service

The 3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters was organized at Lima, Ohio, with enrollment taking place from March 12 to April 4, 1862, under the command of Captain George A. Taylor. The company was mustered into federal service on April 7, 1862, at Camp Chase, Columbus. Shortly after mustering, the company was ordered to the front and joined Birge’s Western Sharpshooters at Camp C. F. Smith, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, on April 14, 1862. On this date, the regiment’s designation changed to the Western Sharpshooters, 14th Regiment Infantry, and later to the 66th Illinois Infantry. The Ohio companies, including the 3rd, were assigned regimental letters G, H, and K, but continued to be recognized as independent companies until their reenlistment as veterans.

The company participated in outpost duty at Camp Davies, Mississippi, and served as headquarters guard for General E. O. C. Ord from June 23 to August 23, 1862. It accompanied General G. M. Dodge’s 2nd Division, 16th Corps, from Camp Davies to Pulaski, Tennessee, to reinforce General Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga. The company was involved in guarding the Nashville & Decatur Railroad and Rhodes’ Bridge. Members reenlisted as veterans on December 22, 1863, at Camp P. E. Burke, Pulaski, Tennessee, and received veteran furlough in January 1864. The Ohio companies returned in time for the Atlanta Campaign and subsequently participated in the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. The 3rd Company was mustered out at the expiration of its term of service on April 26, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Duty at Camp C. F. Smith, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee (April 1862)
• Outpost duty at Camp Davies, Mississippi
• Headquarters guard for Gen. E. O. C. Ord (June–August 1862)
• Movements to Pulaski, Tennessee, and reinforcement of Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga
• Guarding Nashville & Decatur Railroad and Rhodes’ Bridge
• Atlanta Campaign (1864)
• March to the Sea (1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (1865)

Casualties

According to available records, the three Ohio independent companies (including the 3rd) had a combined total of 59 men killed or died of disease during their service. Specific casualty figures for the 3rd Company alone are not separately reported in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain George A. Taylor (original commander)
• Other officers and acting commanders are not individually listed in available primary sources.

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters, including names and service details of its members, is available for genealogical and historical research. For a complete list of officers and enlisted men, please visit the regiment’s roster page.

See the 3rd Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters Roster for detailed information.

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)