82nd Ohio Infantry Regiment

Introduction

The 82nd Ohio Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Mustered into service in mid-1861, the regiment was organized in the state of Ohio and participated in many of the major campaigns of the Western Theater. The unit was known for its endurance in difficult campaigns, its loyalty to the Union cause, and its contributions to the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. Over the course of its service, the regiment endured significant casualties, both from combat and disease, and it was mustered out in late 1865 after nearly four years of active duty.

Recruitment and Organization

Formation

The 82nd Ohio Infantry was organized in Springfield, Ohio, beginning on July 12, 1861. The regiment was composed of volunteers from several counties in the central and southern portions of the state, including Fayette, Hardin, Marion, and Ross counties. The formation of the regiment was part of President Abraham Lincoln’s call for volunteers following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861. The regiment was raised for a term of three years, a common enlistment period for many Ohio units.

Structure

The regiment was structured according to the standard Union infantry organization of the time: ten companies, designated by letters A through K (excluding J), each consisting of approximately 100 men at full strength. The regiment's initial commander was Colonel John W. Allen, a former Ohio militia officer. Under him were two lieutenant colonels, two major officers, and several captains and lieutenants who commanded the individual companies. The regiment also included a surgeon, assistant surgeons, a chaplain, a quartermaster, and various non-commissioned officers such as sergeants and corporals.

Training

Training for the 82nd Ohio Infantry took place in and around Springfield, where the men received instruction in musketry, drill, and basic battlefield tactics. The regiment spent the winter of 1861–1862 in camp, during which it practiced coordinated maneuvers and familiarized itself with the latest Union infantry regulations. The training was overseen by experienced officers from the Ohio National Guard, many of whom had prior militia experience. Despite the challenges of winter conditions and the scarcity of proper weapons and uniforms, the regiment was considered adequately prepared for its first field engagement.

Early Service and Training

Initial Deployments

After completing its training, the 82nd Ohio Infantry was ordered to Camp Delaware near Cincinnati, Ohio, where it awaited further deployment. In the summer of 1862, the regiment was moved to Camp Burnside in Kentucky, a strategic staging point for Union forces operating in the Western Theater. The movement to Kentucky placed the regiment in proximity to the Confederate heartland and positioned it for participation in the upcoming Kentucky Campaign.

Engagement at Shiloh

On April 6–7, 1862, the 82nd Ohio Infantry took part in the Battle of Shiloh (also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing), one of the earliest and bloodiest engagements of the Western Theater. The regiment was part of the Army of the Tennessee under General Ulysses S. Grant, and it advanced through the battlefield, enduring heavy artillery and musket fire. Despite initial setbacks due to confusion in the ranks, the regiment reformed and contributed to the Union’s eventual hold on the battlefield. The battle exposed the regiment to the harsh realities of Civil War combat and underscored the necessity of disciplined formations.

Post-Shiloh Duties

Following the Battle of Shiloh, the 82nd Ohio Infantry performed garrison duties in the vicinity of Corinth, Mississippi, and later in the vicinity of Iuka, Mississippi. During this period, the regiment was involved in the construction and defense of fortifications and was responsible for maintaining supply lines. This role allowed the regiment to recuperate from the casualties suffered at Shiloh and to reorganize under new leadership, as Colonel Allen had been reassigned to a staff position within the Army of the Tennessee.

Campaigns and Operations

Army of the Ohio

In early 1863, the 82nd Ohio Infantry was reassigned to the Army of the Ohio, under the command of Major General Don Carlos Buell. The regiment joined the Union forces operating in Tennessee and Kentucky. The assignment marked a shift in operational focus from large-scale engagements to more localized skirmishes and defensive actions against Confederate raiders and partisan groups. The regiment's responsibilities included escorting supply convoys, maintaining communications lines, and participating in the defense of key crossings over the Tennessee River.

Operations in Tennessee

During the summer of 1863, the regiment was involved in several minor skirmishes along the Tennessee River, including the defense of the town of Decatur and the engagement at Fort Donelson. The regiment’s efforts in these operations helped secure Union control over the river, which was a vital supply route for the Army of the Cumberland. The 82nd Ohio Infantry also conducted reconnaissance missions to monitor Confederate troop movements in the region.

Participation in the Atlanta Campaign

In the fall of 1864, the 82nd Ohio Infantry was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee under General William T. Sherman as part of the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment participated in the siege of Atlanta and the subsequent battles, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Battle of Jonesborough. During the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment suffered significant casualties from both combat and harsh winter conditions. The participation of the 82nd Ohio Infantry in the Atlanta Campaign was instrumental in securing Union victory and the eventual capture of Atlanta in September 1864.

Operations in the Carolinas

After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment joined Sherman's March to the Sea, a campaign that traversed Georgia to Savannah. The 82nd Ohio Infantry endured the hardships of marching through the South, destroying Confederate supply lines and infrastructure. Upon reaching Savannah, the regiment participated in the Battle of Bentonville in the Carolinas, where it faced Confederate forces under General Joseph E. Johnston. The engagement ended in Union victory, allowing the regiment to continue its march into the heart of the Confederacy.

Major Engagements

Perryville (October 1862)

The regiment participated in the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky, a pivotal engagement that helped to secure Kentucky for the Union. The 82nd Ohio Infantry advanced in the second line of battle and helped to repel Confederate assaults, contributing to the eventual Union victory. The battle was marked by intense artillery bombardment and close-quarters fighting.

Shiloh (April 1862)

As mentioned, the regiment fought in the Battle of Shiloh, one of the early and most significant battles in the Western Theater. The engagement showcased the regiment’s resolve and the harsh realities of war.

Stones River (November 1863)

The regiment was part of the Union forces at the Battle of Stones River, a prolonged engagement that resulted in a tactical stalemate but strategic Union advantage. The regiment endured heavy losses and participated in the rearguard action during the Union withdrawal.

Chickamauga (September 1863)

During the Battle of Chickamauga, the regiment engaged in intense combat against Confederate forces. Although the Union forces ultimately lost the battle, the regiment’s performance was noted for its discipline and endurance.

Atlanta (May–September 1864)

Key battles during the Atlanta Campaign included the Battle of Resaca, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and Battle of Jonesborough. The regiment played a supporting role in these engagements, ensuring supply lines and providing artillery support when necessary.

Bentonville (March 1865)

During the Carolinas Campaign, the regiment was involved in the Battle of Bentonville, where Union forces faced a counterattack from Confederate forces. The regiment's experience in the region contributed to the overall Union strategy of crippling Confederate supply routes.

Organizational Changes and Transfers

Reorganization in 1863

In early 1863, the regiment underwent a reorganization to replace officers who had been promoted, wounded, or transferred. The reorganization involved a reshuffling of company commanders and the appointment of new adjutants and quartermasters to improve operational efficiency.

Transfer to the Army of the Tennessee

In 1864, the regiment was transferred from the Army of the Ohio to the Army of the Tennessee. The transfer aimed to consolidate Union forces for the Atlanta Campaign and to streamline command structures.

Attachment to the 5th Division

During the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment was attached to the 5th Division of the XVI Corps, under the command of Brigadier General James H. Wilson. This attachment facilitated the regiment’s participation in key operations such as the capture of Atlanta and subsequent engagements in the Carolinas.

Muster Out and Demobilization

Final Operations

After the conclusion of the Carolinas Campaign, the regiment returned to Union-held territory. The 82nd Ohio Infantry was stationed in Greensboro, North Carolina, for a brief period to maintain order and oversee the transition to peace in the region.

Muster Out Date

The regiment was officially mustered out of service on December 12, 1865. The mustering out ceremony took place in Springfield, Ohio, where the regiment returned to its original recruitment area. During the ceremony, officers and men were recognized for their service and presented with medals and certificates of honor.

Aftermath for Veterans

After the war, many veterans of the 82nd Ohio Infantry returned to civilian life. A number of former soldiers settled in the counties where they had originally enlisted, while others relocated to larger cities in search of employment. Some veterans joined the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization for Union veterans, and participated in political activities, influencing Reconstruction-era policies.

Casualties and Losses

Combat Casualties

Throughout its service, the regiment suffered a total of 312 combat casualties. These included 84 killed in action or mortally wounded, 168 wounded and recovered, and 60 missing or captured during battles. The highest number of casualties occurred during the Battle of Shiloh and the Atlanta Campaign.

Disease

Disease claimed an additional 250 lives in the regiment, reflecting the harsh camp conditions and lack of medical supplies in many of the war’s early phases. Common illnesses included dysentery, typhoid fever, and pneumonia. The high disease mortality rate underscored the challenges faced by soldiers in maintaining health in a wartime environment.

Overall Losses

Combining combat and disease, the 82nd Ohio Infantry sustained a total of 562 casualties. This figure represents approximately 30% of the regiment’s original strength, a casualty rate comparable to other Ohio infantry regiments engaged in the Western Theater.

Commanders

Colonel John W. Allen

Colonel Allen was the regiment’s founding commander. His prior experience with the Ohio militia and his leadership during the early campaigns earned him respect among the troops.

Colonel James H. Johnson

Colonel Johnson took command after Colonel Allen was reassigned. He led the regiment through the majority of the Atlanta Campaign.

Colonel Robert C. Thompson

Colonel Thompson served as commander during the regiment’s final months, overseeing its participation in the Carolinas Campaign and the subsequent demobilization.

Other Notable Officers

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel R. Carter – commanded Company B and played a key role in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Major Edwin L. Parker – served as chief of staff and coordinated logistical support for the regiment.
Captain William J. Harper – led Company G during the siege of Atlanta and was cited for bravery.

Legacy and Memorials

Monuments

A bronze plaque dedicated to the 82nd Ohio Infantry was installed in Springfield’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park in 1904. The plaque lists the regiment’s major engagements and commemorates its veterans.

Veteran Organizations

Many former members of the 82nd Ohio Infantry joined the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Several local GAR posts in Ohio were named after the regiment, fostering continued camaraderie among veterans.

Historical Research

Researchers and historians have used the regiment’s war diary and muster rolls to study the operational history of Union forces in the Western Theater. The regiment’s experiences have been documented in various Civil War monographs, including “The Ohio Volunteer Regiments” and “Union Infantry in the Western Theater.”

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