20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery (Three Years’ Service) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, the battery was mustered into service on October 29, 1862, for a three-year term. It was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and participated in several major campaigns in the Western Theater. The unit is noted for its service in key battles, including Chickamauga, Franklin, and Nashville.

This battery was composed of 156 officers and men at muster and was primarily engaged in operations in Tennessee and Georgia. It was mustered out at Camp Cleveland on July 13, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery was organized at Camp Cleveland and mustered into Federal service on October 29, 1862. Shortly after organization, the battery received orders to join the Army of the Cumberland, then stationed at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, under Major General William S. Rosecrans. The battery arrived at Murfreesboro in February 1863.

During the Tullahoma Campaign, the battery participated in the engagement at Liberty Gap, where it suffered 1 man killed and 2 wounded. Its next major action was at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, where it rendered effective service, losing 3 men wounded and 2 captured. Following the Union retreat, the battery encamped at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

With the opening of the Atlanta Campaign in 1864, the 20th Ohio Battery moved with Major General William T. Sherman’s forces, remaining in active service throughout the campaign. The battery later took part in the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, sustaining 14 casualties (killed and wounded), and was also engaged at the Battle of Nashville, where it reported no losses. The battery was mustered out of service at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, on July 13, 1865. At muster-out, 116 men were present, of whom 71 were original members.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Liberty Gap (June 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 1863)
• Chattanooga operations (late 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• Battle of Franklin, Tennessee (November 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 1864)

Casualties

• Liberty Gap: 1 killed, 2 wounded
• Chickamauga: 3 wounded, 2 captured
• Franklin: 14 killed and wounded
• Nashville: No casualties reported
• At muster-out: 116 present, 71 original members remaining

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Captain Louis Smithnight
• Captain John T. Edward Grosskopff
• Captain William Backus
• First Lieutenant Francis O. Robbins
• First Lieutenant Henry Roth
• First Lieutenant Oscar W. Hancock
• First Lieutenant Charles F. Nitschelm
• First Lieutenant John S. Burdick
• First Lieutenant Harlan P. Josselyn
• First Lieutenant Henry Horn
• Second Lieutenant Matthias Adams
• Second Lieutenant William Neracher
• Second Lieutenant Henry Hoehn

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official sources.

To view the full roster, visit the 20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (Army of the Cumberland, Atlanta Campaign, Franklin and Nashville operations)
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. VIII
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• The Union Army, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)