2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 2nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Dennison between July 17 and September 20, 1861, the regiment was mustered in for a three-year term. The unit participated in major campaigns in the Western Theater and was noted for its involvement in several significant battles, including Perryville, Stone’s River, Chickamauga, and the Atlanta Campaign.

This unit is distinct from the 2nd Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 2nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, from July 17 to September 20, 1861. Shortly after organization, the regiment crossed into Kentucky, moving through Paris and Mount Sterling to Olympian Springs. On October 22, 1861, the regiment executed a forced night march to West Liberty, surprising and defeating Confederate forces under Jack May. The pursuit continued to Piketon, after which the regiment marched down the Big Sandy River to Louisa and then traveled by water to Louisville.

In early 1862, the regiment operated along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, engaging in several skirmishes, notably at Widow’s Creek near Bridgeport, Alabama, where it dispersed enemy forces and captured camp equipment. The 2nd Ohio was among the first Union units to occupy Bridgeport and destroy the railroad bridge over the Tennessee River.

During the reorganization of the Army of the Ohio at Louisville, the regiment was assigned to Rousseau’s Division, McCook’s Left Wing. It fought at the Battle of Perryville in October 1862, suffering heavy casualties. The regiment was also closely engaged at the Battle of Stone’s River, where it captured the colors of the 32nd Arkansas with the assistance of Guenther’s Battery H, 4th Artillery.

At Chickamauga in September 1863, the regiment sustained significant losses. Following the retreat to Chattanooga, the 2nd Ohio participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, capturing the colors of the 38th Alabama at the latter engagement. The regiment then advanced with Union forces to Ringgold, Georgia.

In February 1864, the 2nd Ohio led the advance during a reconnaissance to Buzzard Roost, revealing the strength of Confederate positions near Dalton, Georgia. The regiment joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign in May 1864, suffering heavy losses at Resaca and later participating in the Battle of Peachtree Creek. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out on October 10, 1864, and the remaining veterans and recruits were transferred to the 18th Ohio Veteran Infantry on October 31, 1864.

Engagements & Campaigns

• West Liberty, Kentucky (October 1861)
• Operations on the Big Sandy and at Piketon
• Widow’s Creek and Bridgeport, Alabama (Spring 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
• Battle of Stone’s River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Siege of Chattanooga (September–November 1863)
• Battle of Lookout Mountain (November 24, 1863)
• Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
• Ringgold, Georgia (November 1863)
• Reconnaissance to Buzzard Roost (February 1864)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–July 1864)
• Battle of Resaca (May 14–15, 1864)
• Battle of Peachtree Creek (July 20, 1864)

Casualties

At Perryville, the regiment lost nearly forty percent of those engaged. At Chickamauga, losses totaled 183 officers and men killed, wounded, and missing. Detailed casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully preserved in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Leonard A. Harris
• Colonel Anson G. McCook
• Lieutenant Colonel John Kell
• Lieutenant Colonel Obediah C. Maxwell
• Major William T. Beatty

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 2nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, 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 2nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 4, 10, 16, 20, 23, 30, 38
• 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