104th Ohio Infantry Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 104th Ohio Infantry Regiment |
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Ohio state flag
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| Active | 1862–1865 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Volunteer Army, American Civil War |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 1000 soldiers at enlistment |
| Part of | regiment |
| Engagements | Defense of Cincinnati East Tennessee Campaign Atlanta Campaign Franklin-Nashville Campaign Carolinas Campaign |
| Insignia | |
| 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XXII Corps (Union Army), Army of the Ohio/Army of the Cumberland |  |
The 104th Ohio Infantry Regiment was a group of soldiers who fought for the Union during the American Civil War. They were also known as the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment played a very important part in the Battle of Franklin in 1864. Six of their soldiers even received the Medal of Honor for their bravery, mostly for capturing enemy flags.
Contents
How Was the 104th Ohio Infantry Formed?
The 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) was officially created on August 30, 1862. This happened at a place called Camp Massillon. The army needed more soldiers to serve for three years, and this regiment was formed to help.
Who Led the Regiment?
The main leader of the 104th OVI was Col. James W. Reilly. Other important leaders included:
- Col. James Reilly
- Lt. Col. Asa Mariner
- Major Laurin Woodworth
- Adjutant J. Walter McClymonds
- Surgeon K.G. Thomas
- Chaplain M.W. Dallas
What Were the Companies?
The regiment was divided into different companies, each with its own captain:
- Company A: Captain Oscar W. Sterl
- Company B: Captain Jesse Coates
- Company C: Captain Andrew Bahney
- Company D: Captain Marcus C. Horton
- Company E: Captain A.H. Fitch
- Company F: Captain Joseph F. Riddle
- Company G: Captain Ezra Coppock
- Company H: Captain Walter Scott
- Company I: Captain John Wells
- Company K: Captain William Jordan
Almost 1,000 new soldiers joined the 104th OVI. One of them, Laurin D. Woodworth, later became a United States Congressman.
Where Did the 104th Ohio Infantry Serve?
The 104th OVI moved to Covington, Kentucky, on September 1, 1862. They were getting ready to defend Cincinnati, Ohio, from a possible attack by Confederate troops. These enemy soldiers were led by Edmund Kirby Smith. The regiment was involved in a small fight at Fort Mitchel in northern Kentucky.
Defending Kentucky and Tennessee
For the rest of 1862 and most of 1863, the regiment stayed in Kentucky. Their job was to protect railroads and Union bases from Confederate raiders. In August 1863, they joined General Ambrose E. Burnside's army. They moved to East Tennessee and helped capture, occupy, and defend Knoxville during the fall and early winter.
After a very tough winter, they were sent to join the XXIII Corps. This was for the important Atlanta Campaign. They fought in smaller battles in northern Georgia, including at Dallas and Resaca. They also helped other soldiers at the Battle of Decatur on July 22, 1864.
Key Battles in Georgia and Tennessee
On July 30, 1864, the regiment successfully cut the Atlanta and Macon Railroad. This was part of a larger plan to move around the enemy at Jonesboro. The 104th played a big part in an attack on Confederate forts at Utoy Creek on August 6, 1864. This attack was not successful, and the regiment had its highest number of casualties up to that point.
After Atlanta fell in early September, the 104th's corps went north. They helped General George Thomas defend Tennessee from General John B. Hood's advancing army. The 104th and their army managed to escape Hood's trap at Spring Hill. They then helped stop a fierce Confederate attack at Franklin, Tennessee. The Confederate Army lost over 6,000 soldiers there.
Final Campaigns and End of Service
After defeating Hood's forces at Nashville in December 1864, the regiment traveled through Georgia and Washington D.C.. They reached North Carolina for the last part of the Carolinas Campaign. The regiment fought a small battle near Wilmington, North Carolina. They were near Raleigh when they heard that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered.
The 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry officially left the army on June 17, 1865.
Brave Soldiers: Medal of Honor Recipients
The battle cry at Franklin was "Remember Utoy Creek." Six soldiers from the 104th OVI received the Medal of Honor for their amazing bravery at the Battle of Franklin:
- Joseph Davis: A Corporal in Company C. He captured a flag at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
- John C. Gaunt: A Private in Company G. He also captured a flag at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
- Abraham Greenawalt: A Private in Company G. He captured a Confederate headquarters flag at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
- Newton H. Hall: A Corporal in Company I. He captured a flag believed to belong to Stewart's Corps (Confederate) at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
- George V. Kelley: A Captain in Company A. He captured a flag thought to be from Cheatham's Corps (Confederate) at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
- John H. Ricksecker: A Private in Company D. He captured the flag of the 16th Alabama Artillery (Confederate) at Franklin on November 30, 1864.
How Many Soldiers Were Lost?
During its time in service, the 104th Ohio Infantry Regiment lost soldiers in battle and due to illness.
- 3 officers and 46 enlisted men were killed or badly wounded in combat.
- 4 officers and 130 enlisted men died from disease.
In total, 183 soldiers from the regiment died. About 1,740 men served in the regiment at different times.
Images for kids
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Badge of the XXIII Corps, which the 104th Ohio Infantry Regiment was part of.
