6th Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 6th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in June 1861 for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Serving primarily in the Western Theater, the regiment participated in several major campaigns and engagements, earning distinction for its actions in battles such as Shiloh, Stones River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge.

This unit is distinct from the 6th Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 6th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered into Federal service at Camp Dennison in June 1861. Shortly after organization and equipment, the regiment was ordered to western Virginia, where it participated in operations around Laurel Hill and the pursuit of Confederate forces, culminating in the action at Carrick’s Ford.

In April 1862, the regiment was transferred to the Western Theater, arriving at Savannah, Tennessee, on April 5. The following day, as the Battle of Shiloh began, the 6th Ohio marched to the battlefield and was among the first of General Buell’s troops to cross the river under fire. The regiment was immediately engaged in repelling the final Confederate assault on the Union left that evening. Subsequently, the 6th Ohio took part in the operations before Corinth and the pursuit of retreating Confederate forces.

In December 1862, the regiment was heavily engaged at the Battle of Stones River, suffering significant casualties. The 6th Ohio continued to serve in the Army of the Cumberland, participating in the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, where it again sustained heavy losses. During the Chattanooga Campaign, the regiment was in the advance at Orchard Knob and took part in the charge up Missionary Ridge. It then participated in the Knoxville campaign and joined the Atlanta Campaign in the spring of 1864.

The regiment was relieved from duty on June 6, 1864, and ordered home. It arrived in Cincinnati on June 15, 1864, and was mustered out at Camp Dennison on June 23, 1864, with an aggregate of 30 officers and 495 enlisted men.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Operations in western Virginia, including Laurel Hill and Carrick’s Ford (1861)
• Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Pursuit south of Corinth (May–June 1862)
• Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Chattanooga Campaign, including Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Knoxville Campaign (late 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (spring 1864)

Casualties

At the Battle of Stones River, the 6th Ohio Infantry lost 159 officers and men out of 383 engaged, killed, wounded, and prisoners. At Chickamauga, the regiment lost 125 out of 384 officers and men, killed, wounded, and missing. Upon muster out, the regiment had an aggregate of 30 officers and 495 enlisted men. Complete casualty figures for the entire term of service are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William K. Bosley
• Colonel Nicholas L. Anderson
• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C. Christopher
• Major Anthony O. Russell
• Major Samuel C. Erwin
• Major James Bense

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 6th Ohio Infantry (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 records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 6th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Western Virginia, Shiloh, Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Atlanta Campaign reports)
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. II
• 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