27th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 27th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, from July 15 to August 18, 1861, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and was noted for its participation in several major campaigns and battles, including the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman’s March to the Sea.

The 27th Ohio Infantry was mustered in with approximately 950 men and was led by Colonels John W. Fuller and Mendal Churchill. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization at the end of 1863 and continued in active service until mustering out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 27th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, between July 15 and August 18, 1861. The regiment departed for St. Louis, Missouri, on August 20, 1861. In December 1861, the regiment participated in the capture of 1,300 Confederate recruits attempting to join General Sterling Price.

In early 1862, the 27th Ohio was engaged in the siege and capture of New Madrid, Missouri, and subsequently assisted in the operations against Island No. 10. The regiment then moved to the vicinity of Fort Pillow. During the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, the regiment was repeatedly under fire and performed well under pressure.

In September 1862, the 27th participated in the recapture of Iuka and fought in the Battle of Corinth, suffering about 60 casualties. The regiment was also involved in the engagement at Parker’s Cross Roads, Tennessee, where it helped capture artillery, prisoners, and horses from Confederate forces under Forrest.

At the end of 1863, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization. After a furlough in May 1864, it rejoined the main Union army at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 27th Ohio fought in the Atlanta Campaign, including actions at Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain (with significant losses), Nickajack Creek, and the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, where it sustained its heaviest losses.

Following the fall of Atlanta, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Hood’s army, then marched with Sherman to the sea, engaging in skirmishes near Savannah. In early 1865, the 27th Ohio took part in the Carolinas Campaign, including the crossing of the Salkehatchie River and the capture of Cheraw, South Carolina. At the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, the regiment was part of a vigorous assault that reached close to Confederate headquarters. The 27th Ohio Infantry was mustered out of service on July 11, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Capture of Confederate recruits near St. Louis (December 1861)
• Siege and capture of New Madrid, Missouri
• Operations against Island No. 10
• Siege of Corinth, Mississippi
• Battle of Iuka (September 1862)
• Battle of Corinth (October 1862)
• Parker’s Cross Roads, Tennessee
• Atlanta Campaign (including Dallas, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Battle of Atlanta)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army
• Sherman’s March to the Sea (skirmishes near Savannah)
• Carolinas Campaign (including Salkehatchie River crossing, capture of Cheraw, Battle of Bentonville)

Casualties

During the Atlanta Campaign, from Chattanooga to the fall of Atlanta, the 27th Ohio Infantry lost 16 officers and 201 men, with only 6 reported missing. This represented more than half of the men present for duty at the start of the campaign. Detailed total losses for the entire service term are not fully specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. Fuller
• Colonel Mendal Churchill
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry G. Kennett
• Lieutenant Colonel Swift Spaulding
• Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Nichols
• Lieutenant Colonel Isaac N. Gilruth
• Major James P. Simpson

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 27th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research and historical study.

To view the complete roster, visit the 27th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• 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