OHIO THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Thirty-sixth Infantry. Cols., George Crook, Melvin Clark, Ebenezer B. Andrews, William G. Jones, Hiram F. DuVal; Lieut.-Cols, William H. G Adney, William S. Wilson; Majs., Jewette Palmer, Benjamin J. Ricker. This regiment was organized at Marietta, from July 30 to Aug. 31, 1861, to serve for three years. It first saw service in western Virginia and remained there until the spring of 1862. At the battle of Lewisburg in May, 1862, the 36th and 44th, containing in the aggregate not more than 1,200 effective men, repelled the attack of the enemy and in 20 minutes the Confederates were driven back over the summit of the hill, utterly routed, with a loss of 60 killed and left upon the field, 175 prisoners, 4 pieces of artillery, and 300 stands of small arms, besides a very large number of wounded whom they hurriedly carried off the field. The 36th lost 7 killed, 44 wounded and 5 captured on picket. In the second battle of Bull Run the regiment was held in reserve and on the evening of that defeat performed signal service in arresting stragglers and fugitives from the battle, thus preventing thousands from hurrying back to Washington and creating a panic of dismay similar to that after the first battle of Bull Run. At Frederick, Md., in advance of the rest of the army, it had a brisk skirmish with Confederate cavalry, the rear-guard of Lee's army. It was actively engaged in the battle of South mountain, where with the brigade it made a memorable bayonet charge, by which the enemy was so scattered and routed that he never rallied on that part of the field again. It was actively engaged in the battle of Antietam, but the loss here was small, its exposure being chiefly to artillery fire. Being transferred to the western field of operations in the spring of 1863, it participated in the Tullahoma campaign, and took part in the sharp engagement with the enemy at Hoover's gap. The casualty list of the regiment shows a sad loss in the battle of Chickamauga, 70 brave and gallant soldiers yielded up their lives for their country. The regiment participated in the memorable coup de main resulting in the capture of Brown's ferry, and took part in the victory at Missionary ridge, in which it lost 83 men. Early in 1864, the regiment re-enlisted, furloughed home, and at the expiration of the 30 days it was sent to its old field of operations in West Virginia. In May a severe engagement occurred at Cloyd's mountain, in which the Confederates were driven from their works and 2 pieces of artillery were captured. It then participated in the ill-fated expedition against Lynchburg and the harassing retreat from that place. In the sharp little fight at Kabletown the regiment lost 3 men killed and 4 wounded, and at Kernstown both regiment and division lost heavily, retreating from the field in disorder. At Halltown the brigade of which the 36th formed a part was on two occasions, and the division at another, sent out to reconnoiter and develop the strength and position of the enemy, which was successfully accomplished each time, many prisoners being captured but not without heavy loss in killed and wounded. On Sept. 3, the little Army of West Virginia had a severe engagement of 4 hours' duration at Berryville and the 36th distinguished itself as much in this battle, perhaps, as in any other of the war, its loss in killed and wounded being 25. In the battle of the Opequan it occupied the right of the army and lost 33 killed and wounded. At Fisher's hill it lost but 4 men wounded, and at Cedar creek 22 killed and wounded. The regiment was mustered out at Wheeling, W.Va., July 27, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Hiram F. Devol, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry. CAMP AT CHATTANOOGA, September 23, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Thirty-sixth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry for the two days' battle, September 19 and 20, 1863: On the morning of the 19th we went into position on the right of the road leading to Ringgold, and about 1 1/2 miles east of Crawfish Spring. From there we were ordered 1 mile to the east and front to relieve the Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who had been engaged in the woods on the right of the road. About 3 p. m. the troops on our right were driven back by the enemy, which caused us to change front to the right and to the rear of the Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and one other regiment. In a short time they were driven back through our lines; we then engaged the enemy, who were in considerable force. In a very few minutes, and when we were suffering terribly from the enemy's fire, I went to look for the colonel but did not see him. I then ordered a charge, which was obeyed most gallantly by my regiment and the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who had formed on our left. We drove the enemy from a quarter to half a mile, when I halted and reformed. We were then ordered back to our former position. I then learned that Col. Jones had been wounded in the early part of the engagement. About 6 o'clock I took position in the road and to the right, where we camped for the night with the balance of the brigade. On the morning of the 20th we moved to the position occupied by our brigade. We held that position until 4 p. m., when the enemy had us nearly surrounded. We were then formed on the west side of the road, fronting southeast. We then faced about and charged the enemy about a mile, driving and routing them completely. Passing one of their batteries, killed their horses and dismounted their guns. We then formed on the hill where some of the Reserve Corps were posted, and marched to Rossville, arriving about 10 p. m. Casualties in the two days' fighting: Killed, 12; wounded, 65, and missing, 14 (according to accompanying list*). Too much praise cannot be awarded to both officers and men for their gallantry. Without an exception they behaved nobly, driving the enemy, who were in greatly superior numbers, in every instance. The success of this regiment and brigade is not owing to its discipline and efficiency alone, but to its confidence in the skill of its brigade commander. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. F. DEVOL, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Regt. Capt. W. B. CURTIS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 481-50 [CHAP. XIII. KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Ohio 36th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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