116th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 116th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Gallipolis and Marietta, Ohio, during September and October 1862 for service in the Union Army. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater, operating in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, and later joined the Army of the James in Virginia. The 116th Ohio was noted for its participation in several significant engagements and for sustaining heavy losses in some actions.

Organization & Service

The 116th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Gallipolis and Marietta, Ohio, in September and October 1862. The regiment mustered in for three years’ service and was commanded initially by Colonel James Washburn. On October 16, 1862, the regiment moved to Belpre, Ohio, crossed the Ohio River to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and was transported to Clarksburg, West Virginia.

The regiment’s first engagement occurred at Moorefield, where it suffered minor wounds from shell fragments and had about 20 men captured while on picket duty. After conducting scouting and foraging operations in the Moorefield valley, the regiment moved to Romney, West Virginia, where approximately 50 men were captured while guarding a forage train. In June 1863, Companies A and I were engaged at Bunker Hill, losing about half their number in killed and captured, with the remainder escaping with difficulty.

The regiment saw limited combat until the spring of 1864, when it advanced up the Shenandoah Valley under General Franz Sigel. At the Battle of Piedmont, the 116th Ohio participated in two charges, suffering 176 killed and wounded. The regiment also lost several men at Lynchburg. It fought at Snicker’s Ferry and took part in a decisive charge. At Halltown, the regiment sustained heavy losses and later saw action at Berryville with slight casualties.

The 116th Ohio fought at the Battle of Opequon (Third Winchester), losing 4 killed and 22 wounded. At Fisher’s Hill, the regiment charged a Confederate battery, capturing it after sustaining 1 killed and 4 wounded. The regiment participated in the general engagement at Cedar Creek and remained in the area until December 1864, when it joined the Army of the James. In the spring of 1865, the regiment was engaged almost continuously, including in the assault on Fort Gregg, and joined the pursuit of Confederate forces. The 116th Ohio Infantry was mustered out of service on June 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Moorefield, West Virginia
• Romney, West Virginia
• Bunker Hill
• Piedmont
• Lynchburg
• Snicker’s Ferry
• Halltown
• Berryville
• Opequon (Third Winchester)
• Fisher’s Hill
• Cedar Creek
• Assault on Fort Gregg

Casualties

At Piedmont, the regiment lost 176 men killed and wounded. At Opequon, losses were 4 killed and 22 wounded. At Fisher’s Hill, 1 was killed and 4 wounded. Additional losses occurred at Bunker Hill, Halltown, and other actions, but complete aggregate casualty figures are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Washburn
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas F. Wildes
• Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert B. Teters
• Major William T. Morris

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 116th 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.

To view the complete roster, visit the 116th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 8
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)