63rd Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 63rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Ohio for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was formed by consolidating two battalions, known as the 22nd and 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Columbus, Marietta, and Chillicothe between August 1861 and February 1862. It served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles throughout its service.

The regiment was mustered in for a three-year term and was notable for its heavy engagement in key operations, including the sieges of New Madrid and Corinth, the Atlanta Campaign, and Sherman’s March to the Sea. The 63rd Ohio Infantry sustained significant casualties in several actions and reenlisted as a veteran regiment before being mustered out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 63rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized by the consolidation of the 22nd and 63rd Ohio battalions at Columbus, Marietta, and Chillicothe from August 1861 to February 1862. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for three years and initially ordered to report at Paducah, Kentucky. From there, it joined the Army of the Mississippi at Commerce, Missouri.

In March 1862, the regiment participated in the operations against New Madrid, Missouri, including a reconnaissance on the day of arrival and subsequent actions recognized by orders from General Pope’s headquarters. The 63rd Ohio was present during the movements leading to the surrender of Island No. 10 and then moved to the vicinity of Fort Pillow. During the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, the regiment took part in operations on the left of General Halleck’s forces, including the reconnaissance and engagement at Farmington, where it suffered severe losses.

Following the advance of Confederate forces under Price toward Iuka, the regiment fell back to Clear Creek but soon marched to Jacinto and was in reserve at the Battle of Iuka. At the Battle of Corinth in October 1862, the 63rd Ohio was heavily engaged, losing 48 percent of its officers and men in action. The regiment spent the winter at Corinth and the following summer in Tennessee.

After reenlisting as a veteran regiment and receiving furlough, the 63rd Ohio returned to the front and participated in the Atlanta Campaign, including the battles of Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Decatur, and Jonesboro. From May to September 1864, the regiment lost 158 men in action. It then joined Sherman’s March to the Sea, taking part in the campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, including engagements at Rivers’ Bridge and Bentonville, North Carolina.

Following the surrender of Confederate forces under General Johnston, the regiment marched to Washington, D.C., and was mustered out of service on July 8, 1865. During its term, the 63rd Ohio Infantry enrolled an aggregate of 90 commissioned officers and over 1,500 men; at discharge, it numbered 22 officers and 537 men.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Operations against New Madrid, Missouri (March 1862)
• Surrender of Island No. 10 (April 1862)
• Siege of Corinth, Mississippi (April–May 1862)
• Engagement at Farmington, Mississippi (May 1862)
• Battle of Iuka, Mississippi (September 1862, in reserve)
• Battle of Corinth, Mississippi (October 1862)
• Atlanta Campaign, including Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Decatur, and Jonesboro (May–September 1864)
• Sherman’s March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas, including Rivers’ Bridge and Bentonville, North Carolina (February–March 1865)

Casualties

During its service, the 63rd Ohio Infantry lost heavily in several engagements. At the Battle of Corinth, the regiment lost 48 percent of its officers and men engaged. From May to September 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign, it lost 158 men in action. At Rivers’ Bridge, the regiment lost 12 men killed and wounded. The total aggregate enrollment was over 1,500 men, with 22 officers and 537 men present at muster out. Specific figures for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. Sprague
• Lieutenant Colonel William E. Gilmore
• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander L. Haskins
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Brown
• Major James H. Odlin
• Major John W. Fouts
• Major Oscar L. Jackson

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 63rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, service, and discharge for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 63rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes VIII, X, XVI, XXXVIII
• Ohio Adjutant General’s Report
• 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