124th Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 124th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, between August and September 1862 for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. It was noted for its discipline and effectiveness in several key battles, including Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign.

The 124th Ohio Infantry mustered in for a three-year term and was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, on July 9, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 124th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, from August to September 1862. Colonel Oliver H. Payne was appointed as its first commanding officer, with Lieutenant Colonel James Pickands and Majors James B. Hampson and George W. Lewis serving in key leadership roles.

In January 1863, the regiment moved via Cincinnati to Louisville, Kentucky, and then to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where it established its first camp. In March 1863, the regiment transferred to Tennessee, encamping near Franklin. During this period, the 124th Ohio was engaged in frequent skirmishes with Confederate forces, notably at Thompson’s Station, where the regiment demonstrated its battlefield proficiency.

Throughout the summer of 1863, the regiment remained active in Tennessee. In September, it joined the Union forces assembling near Chattanooga. During the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863), the 124th Ohio suffered significant losses, with approximately 140 men killed, wounded, or captured.

The regiment distinguished itself at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, capturing seven pieces of artillery, two caissons, eighty stands of arms, and a wagon-load of ammunition. The regiment’s losses in this engagement included 23 killed, 4 wounded, and 19 missing.

After enduring the winter of 1863–1864 in East Tennessee, the 124th Ohio participated in the Atlanta Campaign, beginning with the engagement at Rocky Face Ridge. The regiment took part in the battles at Resaca and continued through the campaign, including the flanking movement at Jonesboro and the subsequent evacuation of Atlanta by Confederate forces.

Following the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment joined the pursuit of Confederate General Hood into Tennessee, fighting at the Battle of Nashville in December 1864. After the defeat of Hood’s army, the 124th Ohio participated in the pursuit of the retreating Confederate forces. The regiment returned to Nashville and was mustered out of service on July 9, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Skirmishes near Franklin, Tennessee (March 1863)
• Thompson’s Station, Tennessee
• Chickamauga, Georgia (September 1863)
• Missionary Ridge, Tennessee (November 1863)
• Winter operations in East Tennessee (1863–1864)
• Atlanta Campaign, including Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, and Jonesboro (May–September 1864)
• Battle of Nashville, Tennessee (December 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army (December 1864)

Casualties

• Battle of Chickamauga: approximately 140 killed, wounded, or captured
• Missionary Ridge: 23 killed, 4 wounded, 19 missing
• Total losses for the regiment are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Oliver H. Payne
• Lieutenant Colonel James Pickands
• Major James B. Hampson
• Major George W. Lewis

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 124th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 124th Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII
• 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