7th Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 7th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Cleveland and Camp Dennison in June 1861, the regiment was mustered in for a three-year term. The 7th Ohio participated in numerous major campaigns and engagements, primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters, and was noted for its discipline and heavy combat involvement.

This unit is distinct from the 7th Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 7th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized in June 1861 at Cleveland and Camp Dennison, Ohio. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for three years and soon after was assigned to the opening campaign in western Virginia, departing for the field on June 29, 1861. Its first significant action occurred at Cross Lanes, where the regiment suffered heavy losses—120 killed, wounded, and captured—after being forced to retreat under pressure from superior Confederate forces.

In March 1862, the regiment participated in the spring campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, playing a notable role at the First Battle of Winchester. The 7th Ohio, alongside the 5th Ohio, was heavily engaged at Port Republic, acting as a rallying point and rear-guard during the retreat. At Cedar Mountain in August 1862, the regiment endured severe casualties, with only about 100 of 300 engaged men escaping unhurt. The regiment was present at Antietam but did not suffer significant losses due to its position in reserve.

Later actions included the engagement at Dumfries, the Battle of Chancellorsville—where the 7th helped cover the Federal retreat—and the Battle of Gettysburg, where its losses were minimal due to defensive positions. The regiment also fought at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold, Georgia, where it suffered heavy casualties during a failed assault, including the loss of Colonel William R. Creighton. The final major actions for the regiment were at Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca, Georgia. The 7th Ohio was mustered out of service on July 8, 1864, at Cleveland, Ohio. Over its term, approximately 1,800 men served in the regiment, with only 240 remaining at muster-out.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Western Virginia Campaign (1861)
• Cross Lanes
• First Battle of Winchester
• Port Republic
• Cedar Mountain
• Antietam
• Dumfries
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Lookout Mountain
• Missionary Ridge
• Ringgold, Georgia
• Rocky Face Ridge
• Resaca, Georgia

Casualties

• Cross Lanes: 120 killed, wounded, and prisoners
• First Battle of Winchester: 14 killed, 51 wounded, several prisoners
• Cedar Mountain: Of 300 engaged, only 100 escaped unhurt
• Chancellorsville: 14 killed, 70 wounded
• Gettysburg: 1 killed, 17 wounded
• Ringgold, Georgia: 19 killed (including Colonel Creighton), 61 wounded
• Total number served: approximately 1,800; only 240 remained at muster-out

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Erastus B. Tyler
• Colonel William R. Creighton (killed at Ringgold, Georgia)
• Lieutenant Colonel Joel F. Asper
• Lieutenant Colonel Orris J. Crane
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McClellan
• Major John S. Casement
• Major Frederick A. Seymour

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 7th 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 for those who served in the regiment during its three-year term.

To view the full roster, visit the 7th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 12, 19, 27, 30, 35, 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