1st Ohio Heavy Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery (Three Years’ Service) was a Union regiment organized in Ohio during the American Civil War. Originally mustered as the 117th Ohio Infantry at Camp Portsmouth in September 1862, it was reorganized as heavy artillery in August 1863. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater, performing garrison, guard, and expeditionary duties across Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. It was notable for its role in constructing fortifications and participating in key raids and defensive operations.

Organization & Service

The regiment began its service as the 117th Ohio Infantry, mustered in September 1862 at Camp Portsmouth, Ohio, with eight companies totaling 796 men. In October 1862, the unit was ordered to Kentucky, where it conducted guard duty and participated in expeditions against guerrilla forces. In May 1863, the War Department ordered its conversion to heavy artillery, and on August 12, 1863, it was reorganized as the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery with twelve companies, reaching a strength of 1,839 officers and men.

During its reorganization, the regiment constructed extensive fortifications around Covington and Newport, Kentucky. Throughout the fall and winter of 1863–64, battalion detachments performed guard duty at various Kentucky locations. On February 19, 1864, the regiment marched through severe winter conditions to Knoxville, Tennessee, arriving on March 9. From then until September 1864, it guarded railroads in Tennessee and later took part in Burbridge’s and Stoneman’s raids against Saltville. During the winter of 1864–65, the regiment was engaged in foraging and anti-guerrilla operations in East Tennessee and North Carolina. As part of the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Army of the Cumberland, it guarded mountain passes and garrisoned captured points in Virginia and North Carolina. Following the Confederate surrenders, the regiment continued service in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery was mustered out at Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 25, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard and expeditionary duty in Kentucky (1862–1863)
• Construction of fortifications at Covington and Newport, Kentucky (1863)
• Guarding railroads in Tennessee (March–September 1864)
• Burbridge’s Raid against Saltville (1864)
• Stoneman’s Raid against Saltville (1864)
• Anti-guerrilla operations in East Tennessee and North Carolina (Winter 1864–65)
• Garrison and guard duty in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee (1865)

Casualties

According to available records, the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery lost a total of 2 officers and 25 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 204 enlisted men died of disease, for a total of 233 fatalities. These figures are based on Dyer’s Compendium and state reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Chauncey D. Hawley
• Lieutenant Colonel Fordyce M. Keith
• Major William G. Dickson
• Major Robert W. Caldwell
• Major Timothy S. Matthews
• Major Henry L. Barnes

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 1st Ohio Heavy 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 state and federal documents.

To view the full roster, visit the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)