Overview
The 7th Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters served as a specialized unit in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in Ohio, this company was mustered into U.S. service on January 27, 1863, at Camp Cleveland. The unit was commonly known as Sherman’s body-guard and performed sharpshooting and headquarters guard duties for senior Union commanders, primarily in the Western Theater.
This company was notable for its close association with General William T. Sherman, serving near his person through several major campaigns. The 7th Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters remained active until the end of the war, mustering out on July 28, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Organization & Service
The 7th Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters was organized in the fall of 1862 and officially mustered into federal service on January 27, 1863, at Camp Cleveland, Ohio. Captain Watson C. Squire commanded the company, with First Lieutenant William McCrory and Second Lieutenant James Cox as subordinate officers.
Initially, the company was assigned to duty as sharpshooters under General William S. Rosecrans from March 10, 1863, until Rosecrans was relieved of command. Thereafter, the company served under General George H. Thomas. On May 20, 1863, the company was ordered to report to General William T. Sherman’s headquarters, where it became known as Sherman’s body-guard. The company remained with Sherman throughout the remainder of the war, providing close protection and sharpshooting services during the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign.
The company experienced limited combat losses, with the most significant incident occurring during a foraging expedition near Marietta, Georgia, where eight men were captured by guerrillas and held in Confederate prisons until the war’s end. After participating in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., the company accompanied Sherman to St. Louis, Missouri, serving briefly as headquarters guard before being ordered home. The company was mustered out of service on July 28, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Duty under General Rosecrans (March 1863–October 1863)
- Duty under General Thomas (late 1863–May 1863)
- Headquarters guard for General Sherman (May 1863–1865)
- Atlanta Campaign
- March to the Sea
- Campaign of the Carolinas
- Grand Review, Washington, D.C.
Casualties
- Killed in action: 1 (at Rossville, Georgia)
- Died of disease: 17
- Total losses: 18
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Watson C. Squire
- First Lieutenant William McCrory
- Second Lieutenant James Cox
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 7th Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, service, and mustering out for each member of the company.
To view the full roster, visit the 7th Ohio Independent Company Sharpshooters Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- Ohio Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 2 (1908)