5th Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 5th 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 on June 21, 1861, the regiment was mustered in for a three-year term. The 5th Ohio participated in numerous major campaigns and battles across the Eastern and Western Theaters, earning distinction for its service and resilience.

This unit is distinct from the earlier 5th Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 5th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and mustered in on June 21, 1861. Initially attached to operations in West Virginia, the regiment soon moved to the Shenandoah Valley, where it took part in the Battle of Kernstown (Winchester) in March 1862. The regiment supported Daum’s West Virginia battery and held its ground under heavy fire, earning commendation for its steadfastness. Following this engagement, the regiment received new colors from the city council of Cincinnati in recognition of its bravery.

At Port Republic in June 1862, the 5th Ohio charged Confederate positions and captured artillery, later covering the Union retreat and suffering significant losses, including 185 men taken prisoner. The regiment participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain in August 1862, followed by the Battle of Antietam, where it was heavily engaged and expended a large amount of ammunition in intense fighting.

After Antietam, the regiment was stationed at Dumfries, Virginia, where it repulsed an attack by Confederate cavalry. The 5th Ohio fought at Chancellorsville in May 1863 and at Gettysburg in July. Later, the regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland for the Chattanooga Campaign, including the Battle of Lookout Mountain. In 1864, the 5th Ohio served with Sherman’s army during the Atlanta Campaign and subsequently participated in the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. After Lee’s surrender, the regiment marched in the Grand Review at Washington and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 26, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• West Virginia Campaign (1861)
• Battle of Kernstown (Winchester), March 1862
• Battle of Port Republic, June 1862
• Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 1862
• Battle of Antietam, September 1862
• Battle of Dumfries, December 1862
• Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1863
• Battle of Gettysburg, July 1863
• Chattanooga Campaign, including Lookout Mountain, November 1863
• Atlanta Campaign, 1864
• March to the Sea, 1864
• Carolinas Campaign, 1865

Casualties

According to Fox’s Regimental Losses and official reports, the 5th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) suffered significant casualties during its service. Exact figures may vary by source, but available records indicate:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 7 officers, 104 enlisted men
• Died of disease: 1 officer, 86 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 198

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Samuel H. Dunning
• Colonel John H. Patrick
• Lieutenant Colonel Harry G. Armstrong
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Kilpatrick
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkup
• Major William Gaskill
• Major John Collins
• Major Henry E. Symmes
• Major Krewson Yerkes

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 5th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the full roster, visit the 5th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) 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,” Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 2