96th Ohio Infantry

compiled by Larry Stevens

References for this Unit


Captain Emery M. Eastman 96th OVI
Courtesy of and Copyright © L.M. Strayer Collection

History

Organized August 29, 1862, under Colonel Joseph W. Vance, it left for the field September 1st and entered Kentucky to resist the advance of Kirby Smith. In November the Regiment moved by river to Memphis, and in December joined Sherman's expedition against Vicksburg, taking part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou. On the 11th day of January, 1863, it took an active part in the battle of Arkansas Post, with a loss of 36 men, and returned to Young's Point, La., the same month. Here it worked with Grant's army in the operations about Vicksburg, marching to the rear of that stronghold, and taking part in the siege. After the surrender it marched to Jackson, then back to Vicksburg, where it embarked for Louisiana. The Regiment participated in the battle of Grand Coteau, then moved to Texas, and in March, 1864, entered the Red River campaign, fighting at Sabine Cross Road with considerable loss. Among the killed was the gallant Colonel Vance. In July it went to Alabama and took part in the siege operations which resulted in the fall of Forts Gains and Morgan, and in April, 1864, participated in the capture of Mobile, where it was mustered out July 7, 1865. It had moved over 9,000 miles in its term of service.

From Dyer's Compendium

96th Regiment Infantry. Organized at Camp Delaware, Ohio, and mustered in August 29, 1862. Ordered to Cincinnati, Ohio, September 1, thence to Covington and Newport, Ky., September 3, and duty there during threatened attack on Cincinnati by Kirby Smith. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Kentucky, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1862. 1st Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee and Army of the Gulf, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, to June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. U.S. forces, mouth of White River, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.--Moved to Falmouth, Ky., October 8, 1862, thence to Nicholasville October 23. Moved to Louisville, Ky., thence to Memphis, Tenn., November 13-22. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Landed at Milliken's Bend, La., and Expedition to Dallas Station, on Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad, and destruction of railroad and stores December 25-26, 1862. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point January 17, and duty there till March 10. Expedition to Greenville, Miss., and Cypress Bend, Ark., February 14-26. Moved to Milliken's Bend, La., March 10, and duty there till April 25. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Magnolia Hills, Port Gibson, Miss., May 1. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Camp at Vicksburg till August 26. Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 26. Expedition from Carrollton to New and Amite Rivers September 24-29. At Brashear City October 3. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Grand Coteau November 3. Moved to Algiers December 13, thence embark for Texas December 18. Duty at Du Crow's Point, Texas, till March, 1864. Moved to Algiers, La., March 1-6. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Skirmish at Bayou de Paul, Carroll's Mills, April 8. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Monett's Bluff, Cane River Crossing, April 23. Operations about Alexandria April 26-May 13. Construction of dam at Alexandria April 30-May 10. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Moved to Baton Rouge May 28, and duty there till July 20. Moved to Algiers July 20, thence to Dauphin Island, Ala. Operations in Mobile Bay against Forts Gaines and Morgan August 2-23. Siege and capture of Fort Gaines August 3-8. Siege of capture of Fort Morgan August 9-23. Moved to Morganza September 1. Raid to Greenville Farms September 4. Moved to mouth of White River November 1, and duty there till February 4, 1865. Consolidated to 4 Companies November 18, 1864. Moved to Kennersville, La., February 4, 1865, thence to Mobile Point February 16. Campaign against Mobile and its defences March 17-April 13. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. Expedition to Tombigbee River and Mcintosh Bluffs April 13-May 9. Duty at Mobile till July. Mustered out July 7, 1865. Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 46 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 286 Enlisted men by disease. Total 339.

Thanks to Dr. Richard A. Sauers for the initial research and indexing of the National Tribune articles.

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Copyright © 1995 Larry Stevens

Last updated April 12 2008