32nd Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 32nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized near Mansfield, Ohio, between August 20 and September 20, 1861, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western and Southern theaters, participating in numerous campaigns and battles throughout its term of service. It was known for its involvement in key actions in western Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, the Vicksburg Campaign, the Atlanta Campaign, and Sherman’s March to the Sea.

This unit is distinct from any other formations of the 32nd Ohio Infantry that may have served under different terms.

Organization & Service

The 32nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered in near Mansfield, Ohio, from August 20 to September 20, 1861. Its initial assignment was in western Virginia, where it led advances through mountainous terrain, notably participating in the action at Greenbrier in October 1861 and the advance on Camp Alleghany in December. The regiment was commended by General Milroy for its conduct at Camp Alleghany, where it suffered casualties in a charge against Confederate positions.

After wintering at Beverly, the regiment fought at the battle of McDowell in May 1862, sustaining significant losses. It then took part in Fremont’s pursuit of Confederate forces up the Shenandoah Valley, engaging at Cross Keys and Port Republic. The 32nd performed garrison duty at Winchester until September 1862, when it withdrew to Harper’s Ferry and participated in the defense of that post. Following the surrender of Harper’s Ferry, the regiment was captured and held as prisoners of war until exchanged in January 1863.

Upon exchange, the 32nd Ohio was sent south and joined the campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, as part of the 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. The regiment was engaged at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, and Champion’s Hill, where it notably captured the 1st Mississippi Confederate battery. The regiment also participated in the siege of Vicksburg, suffering heavy losses. After Vicksburg, it performed post duty under General Logan and joined Sherman’s Meridian Campaign in early 1864, losing men at Clinton, Mississippi.

In 1864, over three-fourths of the regiment reenlisted as veterans. After a furlough, the regiment rejoined the army for the Atlanta Campaign, participating in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, actions at Nickajack Creek, and the battles before Atlanta in July, where it suffered severe casualties. The 32nd then took part in the pursuit of Hood’s army, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign, including the capture of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the battle of Bentonville. The regiment was present at the surrender of Johnston’s army and was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Greenbrier (October 1861)
• Camp Alleghany (December 1861)
• McDowell (May 1862)
• Cross Keys (June 1862)
• Port Republic (June 1862)
• Defense and surrender of Harper’s Ferry (September 1862)
• Port Gibson (May 1863)
• Raymond (May 1863)
• Jackson (May 1863)
• Champion’s Hill (May 1863)
• Siege of Vicksburg (May–July 1863)
• Meridian Campaign (February 1864)
• Clinton, Mississippi (February 1864)
• Kennesaw Mountain (June 1864)
• Nickajack Creek (July 1864)
• Battles before Atlanta (July 20, 21, 22, and 28, 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood (Fall 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Capture of Savannah (December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (Spring 1865), including Fayetteville and Bentonville
• Surrender of Johnston’s army (April 1865)

Casualties

• Greenbrier: 4 killed, 14 wounded
• McDowell: 6 killed, 53 wounded
• Harper’s Ferry: approximately 150 lost (killed, wounded, and missing)
• Vicksburg Campaign: 225 total casualties (killed, wounded, and missing)
• Clinton: 22 killed or wounded
• Battles before Atlanta: more than half the regiment killed or wounded
• The regiment entered service with 950 men, received over 1,600 recruits, and mustered out with 565 men remaining.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Thomas H. Ford
• Colonel Benjamin F. Potts
• Colonel Jefferson J. Hibbetts
• Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer H. Swinney
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Bentley
• Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Guthrie
• Major Sylvester M. Hewitt
• Major Abraham M. Crumbecker
• Major Isaac B. Post

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 32nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 32nd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports of operations in western Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Carolinas Campaigns)
• 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