138th Ohio Infantry

compiled by Larry Stevens

References for this Unit

• see also Bibliography of State-Wide References
• Ohio In The War-Volume II. Whitelaw Reid. Moore, Wilstach & Baldwin. Cincinnati 1868
• George W. Bonsall Diaries. Corporal George W. Bonsall. 138th OVI. Diary from 1861-1878. Number Ms97-015. University Libraries. Special Collections Department. Virginia Tech. P.O. Box 90001. Blacksburg. VA. 24062-9001
• In Memoriam Samuel S. Fisher. Colonel Samuel S. Fisher. 138th OVI. 92 pgs. Robert Clarke & Co. Printer. Cincinnati. Ohio. 1874. Library of Congress. Washington DC
• Into the Breach, Civil War Letters of ... Wallace W. Chadwick. Wallace W. Chadwick. Co's D & F. 138th OVI. Edited by Mabel Watkins Mayer. pgs. 158-180. OHQ. LII. Ohio Historical Society. Columbus. Ohio. 1943
• Unit Bibliography. U.S. Army Military History Institute. Carlisle Barracks. PA. 1995

History

This Regiment was mustered into the United States service on the 14th of May, 1864, and was ordered immediately to Washington City. Arriving on May 22nd, it was placed in the defenses south of the Potomac, with headquarters in Fort Albany, and detachments in Forts Craig and Tillinghast. June 5th found the regiment at White House Landing serving picket duty and guarding prisoners. It was ordered to Bermuda Hundred and proceeded on steamer, via Fortress Monroe, up the James to Fort Powhaten. The regiment debarked and marched 25 miles in very hot weather to Bermuda Hundred. On the 19th of June it arrived at Fort Spring Hill, on the eastern bank of the Appomattox, opposite Point of Rocks, and was engaged in picket and fatigue duty at Point of Rocks and Broadway Landing. It moved to Cherrystone Inlet, on the eastern shore of Virginia. Establishing headquarters at Eastville the companies were distributed at various points to guard the telegraph from Cherrystone to Wilmington, to prevent raids from the other side of the bay, and to intercept blockade runners and rebel mail carriers. At the expiration of its term of service the regiment returned to Ohio and was mustered out at Camp Dennison on September 1, 1865.

From Dyer's Compendium

138th Regiment Infantry. Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and mustered in May 14, 1864. Left State for Washington, D.C., May 14. Picket duty at Harper's Ferry, W. Va., May 16-22. Reached Washington May 22. Attached to 1st Brigade, DeRussy's Division. 22nd Army Corps. Assigned to duty as garrison at Forts Albany, Craig and Tillinghast, Defences of Washington, south of the Potomac, till June 5. Moved to White House Landing. Va., June 5. Picket and guard duty there till June 16. Moved to Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 16. Assigned to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Army Corps, Army of the James. Picket and fatigue duty at Bermuda Hundred, Point of Rocks, Broadway Landing and Cherrystone Inlet till August. Mustered out September 1, 1864. Regiment lost during service 8 Enlisted men by disease.

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Copyright © 1995 Larry Stevens

Last updated September 8 2006