17th Ohio Infantry – 3 Years Service ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 17th 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 in September 1861, the regiment was mustered for a three-year term and participated in numerous campaigns and battles in the Western Theater. The unit is noted for its involvement in major engagements such as Stone’s River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign.

This unit is distinct from the 17th Ohio Infantry (Three Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 17th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in September 1861. The regiment was mustered into Federal service under the command of Colonels John M. Connell and Durbin Ward. Initial operations took the regiment into Kentucky, where it participated in the action at Wild Cat, suffering seven wounded.

The regiment joined the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland, serving in various brigades and divisions. It was engaged in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and participated in several skirmishes, including a notable action where Company B penetrated Confederate lines and held a position for two hours, sustaining casualties.

At the Battle of Stone’s River, the 17th Ohio charged Confederate General Hanson’s brigade, contributing to the Union’s success and suffering twenty wounded. The regiment took part in the Tullahoma Campaign and was engaged at Hoover’s Gap, where it charged and drove back the 17th Tennessee (Confederate) regiment.

During the Battle of Chickamauga, the regiment was heavily engaged and suffered significant losses when exposed by a gap in the Union line. Company B notably rallied and led a countercharge, but the regiment was forced to withdraw, leaving the field with only 52 men. The loss in killed and wounded exceeded 200.

The 17th Ohio participated in the assault on Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign (including actions at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Jonesboro), and followed Sherman through the Carolinas, fighting at Bentonville. The regiment marched in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 16, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Wild Cat, Kentucky
• Siege of Corinth
• Stone’s River
• Tullahoma Campaign
• Hoover’s Gap
• Chickamauga
• Missionary Ridge
• Rocky Face Ridge
• Resaca
• Kennesaw Mountain
• Peachtree Creek
• Jonesboro
• Carolinas Campaign
• Bentonville

Casualties

The 17th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) suffered significant losses during its service. At Chickamauga alone, the regiment lost over 200 killed and wounded, not including those with slight wounds. At Stone’s River, the regiment reported 20 wounded. Additional casualties occurred in other actions, but comprehensive figures for the entire service term are not consistently reported in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John M. Connell
• Colonel Durbin Ward
• Lieutenant Colonel Marshall F. Moore
• Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Showers
• Major Benjamin F. Butterfield
• Major James W. Stinchcomb
• Major Willis G. Clark

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 17th 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 complete roster, visit the 17th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 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