6th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 6th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Buckingham in Mansfield, Ohio, the battery was mustered into service on December 10, 1861, for a three-year term. The unit operated primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. The battery was noted for its active engagement in several significant battles and for the high proportion of its members who reenlisted as veterans.

Organization & Service

The 6th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery was organized and mustered in on December 10, 1861, at Camp Buckingham, Mansfield, Ohio, under the supervision of Major John L. Edie of the 18th U.S. Infantry. Five days after mustering, the battery moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and then by steamer to Nashville, Tennessee, where it reported to General Don Carlos Buell. In January 1862, a section of the battery returned to Kentucky and was engaged at the battle of Mill Springs.

The battery saw heavy action at the battle of Stones River, where it was engaged throughout the fighting. At Chickamauga, the battery expended 383 rounds of ammunition, lost two caissons and a battery wagon, and suffered the loss of two horses. In December 1863, two-thirds of the battery reenlisted as veterans, and after a 30-day furlough, the unit rejoined the army.

During the Atlanta Campaign, the battery was attached to General Wood’s 3rd Division, 4th Corps, and was almost constantly engaged. It maintained its position before Kennesaw Mountain and received commendation from General O. O. Howard for its accurate firing. The battery was heavily engaged in the bombardment of Atlanta from July 13 to 25, participated in the flanking movement to Jonesboro, and was present at Lovejoy’s Station. After entering Atlanta, the battery was reequipped and continued in the field.

In the pursuit of Hood’s Confederate forces into Tennessee, the battery repulsed an attack on the wagon train near Franklin and was commended by General Wood. At the battle of Nashville, the battery took position in front of Overton’s Hill and engaged Sanford’s Mississippi Confederate battery, silencing its guns and exploding two limber-chests. Upon expiration of its original term, non-veteran members were mustered out, while veterans and recruits continued service until final muster out at Camp Chase, Ohio, on September 1, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Mill Springs (January 1862)
• Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864), including actions at Kennesaw Mountain, bombardment of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy’s Station
• Pursuit of Hood into Tennessee (late 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 16
• Died of disease: 26
• Discharged for disease: 30
• Discharged for wounds: 4
• Discharged by expiration of service: 21
• Reenlisted as veterans: 66

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain Cullen Bradley
• Captain Aaron P. Baldwin
• First Lieutenant Oliver H. P. Ayres
• First Lieutenant James P. McElroy
• First Lieutenant George W. James
• First Lieutenant Eleazer H. Neal
• First Lieutenant Joel Hersh
• First Lieutenant Adam P. Galloway
• Second Lieutenant Edwin S. Ferguson
• Second Lieutenant George W. Smetts
• Second Lieutenant George R. Wright
• Second Lieutenant Lemuel Krisher

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 6th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, service, and discharge for members of the battery.

To view the full roster, visit the 6th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Cumberland, Army of the Ohio, Western Theater operations)
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Volumes for Artillery
• 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