9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Wood in Cleveland, Ohio, the battery was mustered into federal service on October 11, 1861, for a three-year term. The unit operated primarily in the Western Theater, participating in several significant campaigns and engagements, and was noted for its effective artillery service in both Kentucky and Tennessee. The battery reenlisted as a veteran organization and continued to serve through the end of the war.

Organization & Service

The 9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery was organized and mustered in at Camp Wood, Cleveland, on October 11, 1861, under the supervision of First Lieutenant James P. W. Neill of the 18th U.S. Infantry. The original strength was 3 commissioned officers and 80 enlisted men. The battery moved to Camp Gilbert, Kentucky, arriving on December 20, 1861.

Its first major engagement was at the Battle of Mill Springs, where the battery was posted on a hill commanding the ferry on the Cumberland River. The battery’s fire set a Confederate steam ferry-boat ablaze and contributed to the surrender of enemy works. For its performance, General George H. Thomas awarded the battery two captured 6-pounder bronze guns, along with horses and harnesses.

In March 1862, the battery was under fire for seven hours at Cumberland Gap, and later that June, participated in operations that led to the capture of the gap by Union forces. The battery also fought in the engagement at Richmond, Kentucky. After being transferred to Tennessee, it was engaged at Franklin in April 1863, where it participated in a skirmish and pursuit of Confederate forces. In June 1863, the battery helped repel a Confederate demonstration at Triune.

The men reenlisted as veterans and were furloughed home to recruit. By April 1864, the battery reported at Tullahoma, Tennessee, with 151 men and 5 commissioned officers. In May 1864, the battery joined General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and continued through the March to the Sea. Upon expiration of the original term, non-veterans were mustered out, while veterans and recruits remained until final muster out at Cleveland, Ohio, on July 25, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Mill Springs (January 1862)
• Operations at Cumberland Gap (March–June 1862)
• Battle of Richmond, Kentucky (August 1862)
• Skirmish at Franklin, Tennessee (April 1863)
• Action at Triune, Tennessee (June 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery are not fully detailed in available primary sources. Losses occurred in various actions, but comprehensive totals are not recorded in Dyer’s Compendium or the Ohio Adjutant General’s reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain Henry S. Wetmore
• Captain Harrison B. York
• First Lieutenant Leonard P. Barrows
• First Lieutenant John M. Hinde
• First Lieutenant Henry A. Tallmadge
• First Lieutenant George S. Hazen
• First Lieutenant George J. Randell
• First Lieutenant Frank Keeny
• First Lieutenant William W. James
• First Lieutenant George W. Church
• Second Lieutenant Edward Cowles
• Second Lieutenant Albert Reeves
• Second Lieutenant Hiram D. York

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 9th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts.
• 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.