OHIO NINETEENTH INFANTRY (Three Months)

Nineteenth Infantry. (Three Months' Service.) Col., Samuel Beatty; Lieut.-Col., Eliott W. Hollingsworth; Maj., Lewis P. Buckley. This organization was composed of recruits from several counties who were enrolled under the president's call for 75,000 troops for three months, as follows: Co. A, April 27, at Canton; B, April 27, at Youngstown; C, April 24, at Warren; D, April 25, at Morgan; E, April 24, at New Lisbon; F, April 24, at Chardon; G, April 22, at Akron; H, April 22, at Salem; I, April 27, at Ashtabula, and K, April 27, at Akron. The companies at once left their homes for Camp Taylor, Cleveland, where they remained until May 27, when they repaired by rail to Columbus and occupied Camp Jackson. Here the regimental organization was perfected by the election of field officers and on May 29 the entire regiment was mustered into the service of the State of Ohio for a period of three months. The mustering of the regiment completed, Cos. A and B were immediately equipped and sent to Bellaire, where they were on duty guarding a ferry. On June 3 they left for Glover's gap and Mannington, where they performed similar duty until June 20, when they joined the regiment at Bellaire. The next day the 19th embarked on steamers for Parkersburg, W. Va., arriving there on June 23 and was made a part of Gen. Rosecrans, brigade. On June 25 it moved by rail to Clarksburg and became a part of Gen. McClellan's "Provisional Army of West Virginia." On the 29th it left Clarksburg with the advance and made its first real march, reaching Buckhannon on July 2, and Roaring creek July 7, encamping in front of the fortified Confederate position at Rich mountain. It distinguished itself in the fight at Rich mountain by the cool and handsome manner in which it held its post against a flank attack. On July 23, its term of service having expired, it was ordered home to be mustered out, arriving at Columbus, July 27, with a loss of only 1 man, who died of disease. The last company was mustered out on Aug. 31, 1861.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

OHIO NINETEENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Nineteenth Infantry. (Three Years' Service.) Cols., Samuel Beatty, Charles F. Manderson; Lieut.-Cols., Elliott W. Hollingsworth, Henry G. Stratton, James M. Nash; Majs., Timothy D. Edwards, William H. Allen, Solomon J. Firestone. The following statement concerning the 19th is taken from the Official Army Register: "This regiment was organized at Alliance, Ohio, from Sept. 25, 1861, to Jan. 1, 1862, to serve three years. On the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until Oct. 24, 1865 when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department." It took part in the battle of Shiloh, the occupation of Corinth and the engagements at Stone's river, Liberty gap, Chickamauga, Missionary ridge, Rocky Face ridge, Cassville, Pickett's mills, Kennesaw mountain, Hood's First Sortie at Atlanta, Lovejoy's Station, Franklin and Nashville. Gen. J. T. Boyle, commanding the brigade, said of the 19th at the battle of Shiloh: "The colonel and Capt. Manderson (acting major) held their men steady and deported themselves as did their officers and men, with coolness and courage until the colonel ordered them back to a position from under the fire of the enemy's battery. This position was held until the guns of the enemy were silenced by the well-directed fire of Capt. Bartlett's battery. Maj. Edwards (acting lieutenant-colonel) was shot dead from his horse and a number of privates were killed and wounded." The regiment entered the battle of Stone's river with 449 men and lost in killed, wounded and missing, 213 nearly one-half. The aggregate loss of the regiment at Chickamauga was 100 men killed, wounded and missing. In the charge at Missionary ridge it lost 1 man killed and 13 wounded. Seventy men were killed or wounded in the action at Lovejoy's Station, and the entire loss of the regiment in the Atlanta campaign was: killed, 2 commissioned officers and 28 men ; wounded, 6 commissioned officers and 96 men; missing, 13 men; total, 145. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Shiloh after battle report: Report of Col. Samuel Beatty, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. NINETEENTH REGT. OHIO VOLUNTEERS, Camp on Field of Battle, near Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 9, 1862. GEN.: I submit the following report of the part taken by the Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteers during the action fought at this place on the 7th of April, 1862: In accordance with your orders my regiment disembarked from the steamer Planet about midnight of April 6 (Sunday), proceeded about one-quarter of mile up the road, and formed line of battle in rear of the Fifty-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteers, and stood in that position until daylight of Monday, when the Nineteenth Regt., taking the right of the brigade, marched about one-quarter mile farther down the road, where I relieved the men of their knapsacks, leaving a few men for their protection. After remaining there about fifteen minutes the regiment, by order of Gen. Crittenden, was counter-marched, and advanced, marching by the right flank in a direction nearly at right angles with the main road about three-quarters of a mile, forming column of company on the route, and forming in line about 200 paces to the rear of the line of battle formed by the Fourteenth Brigade. Here my regiment stood for a short time, and then by your order changed front to the right, and advanced to the brow of a hill to the right of Capt. Bartlett's battery. After changing alignment several times my regiment was ordered to maintain position and throw out the flanking companies as skirmishers. This deployment was made, and instructions given the skirmishing party to advance for enough to engage the enemy. They advanced to an open fenced field about one-half mile in front of the line, and were ordered to remain until further orders. A citizen prisoner was taken under suspicious circumstances, and by your order was sent to Gen. McCook. Our skirmishers were soon discovered, and a heavy fire opened upon them by the enemy's artillery and by sharpshooters hid in a swamp close by, which was returned by them with good effect. The fire pressing them severely, they fell back about half the distance, and Capt. Manderson, acting major, was ordered by you to cause them to advance to the old line of deployment. This was done, and they remained in their position until ordered to their battalion. The regiment remained at the brow of the hill under an artillery fire, during which time Maj. Edwards, acting lieutenant-colonel, was killed, while gallantly doing his duty, by a cannon ball; and then, by your order, I advanced under fire of musketry, by which several were wounded, and delivered well-directed volleys with apparent effect, and then fell back half way up the hill, the enemy having advanced rapidly, to support Capt. Bartlett's battery and obtain range on the sharpshooters in the swamp. After a short time we formed by your order on the right of your brigade, and at about 2 o'clock my regiment was by your order temporarily attached to Gen. Nelson's division, to support his position on our left, and under his orders I sent out two companies as skirmishers, who succeeded in capturing 10 or 12 prisoners, and my regiment, with the Twenty-fourth Ohio and Ninth Indiana, supported the balance of his division in an advance, by which the enemy was driven from that part of the field. We bivouacked the ensuing night in advance, where the road crossed a creek. The next morning we were placed on the right of Gen. Nelson's division, which position we occupied until this morning, when by your order we rejoined your brigade. Our loss, as shown by report herewith sent, is 1 field officer, 1 corporal, and 2 privates killed; 1 lieutenant severely wounded, 16 non-commissioned officers and privates severely wounded, 27 non-commissioned officers and privates slightly wounded, 8 non-commissioned officers and privates missing. The actions of my officers and men came under your direct view. I make no comments on their behavior, except I have additional cause for pride and self-congratulation in commanding the Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteers. SAMUEL BEATTY, Col., Comdg. Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Brig.-Gen. BOYLE, Cmdg. Eleventh Brigade. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10 Stone's River after battle report: Reports of Maj. Charles F. Manderson, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. NINETEENTH REGT. OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Field, near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 6, 1863. LIEUT.: I transmit you the following report of the participation of the Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteers, U. S. Army (Charles F. Manderson, major commanding), in the action in front of Murfreesborough, on Wednesday December 31, 1862: On the morning of that date the regiment was under arms in double column, between the Murfreesborough turnpike and Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad, being the right of the front line of the Third Division, left wing. By order of Col. Samuel Beatty, commanding First Brigade, after deploying column and loading, we moved by the right flank to the left, crossing Stone's River at the ford, and forming line (after throwing Companies A and K out as skirmishers), with the right resting about 100 yards from the river, the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, which were first formed on our right, being moved to the left. About 10 o'clock we were ordered to recall our skirmishers and recross the river, which being done we moved by the right flank across the open space between the railroad and pike, amid the greatest confusion of retreating batteries, men, teams, and ambulances. At this point Gen. Rousseau ordered the regiment to move across the turnpike, and form line in the woods skirting the west of the pike. From this position we were immediately ordered by Col. Beatty to march by the left flank back to the railroad, and then by the right flank back to our former position, in the last-named woods, under a fire by which we lost several men. This scene was one of disorder and panic. Regt. after regiment swept through our lines in the greatest confusion; but through it all our men preserved an unbroken front, and when the pursuing enemy came within 75 or 100 yards, and our front was clear of the retreating and broken columns, at the order to fire by file, poured most destructive volleys into the foe, breaking his lines in disorder. Gen. Rousseau, who was in the rear of the right of the regiment cheering our men with his presence and words, then ordered a charge, and our regiment with fixed bayonets, supported by the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on our left, and the Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteers in our rear, drove the foe in splendid style for about one-fourth of a mile, when, our ammunition running low, the front line wheeled into column, and the Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteers passed through to the front. The regiment, then forming the second line, in the rear of the Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteers, advanced for about three-fourths of a mile to an open field, where we were separated from our front line by a cedar thicket. We were here but a few minutes when our right support gave way, and left our regiment greatly exposed to a flanking fire. I sent word twice to Col. Beatty that the enemy had flanked our position in great force, but received no order. The regiment was suffering most terribly from the fire, and, seeing the enemy within 50 yards of our right and in position to destroy us, I ordered a change of front to the right and rear. Our men, while executing the movement, were thrown into temporary disorder by the scattered regiments on our right pouring through the line, but gathered on the instant, formed an excellent line in good position, and fired with such precision, that, with the aid of a battery of artillery in our rear and left, we held the ground and drove the foe from the open field in our front. Being now entirely out of ammunition, an suffering loss from the fire of our own artillery, we moved by the right flank into the woods, and formed line on the left of the Second Brigade, Col. Fyffe commanding, the second battalion of the Pioneer Corps supporting us on the left. We were here supplied with ammunition by Capt. Wood assistant inspector-general, Third Division, and threw out skirmishers, who met no enemy. About 4 o'clock we were relieved by the First Brigade, First Division, Col. Walker commanding; bivouacked where we were until midnight, when we were ordered by Col. Beatty to report to him on the left of the railroad. Our loss in this action is as follows, viz: Killed, 1 officer and 11 enlisted men; total, 12. Wounded, 1 officer and 66 enlisted men; total, 67. Missing, 3 enlisted men. Total loss, 82 men. I subjoin as accurate a list as it is possible at this time to gather. My men behaved with the utmost bravery and coolness. Senior Capt. Henry G. Stratton, of Company C, assisted as field officer. He was severely wounded about noon. First Lieut. Daniel Donovan, commanding Company B, fell, dead, in front of his company while gallantly leading a charge. Orderly Sergt. Robert D. Wilson, commanding Company D, was killed about the same time. The cool, manly daring of these gallant officers cannot be spoken of too highly. But the action of all of the Nineteenth Ohio was under the directing eve of the colonel commanding the brigade and the generals commanding, and to them I leave further comments. Respectfully, yours, CHARLES F. MANDERSON, Maj., Comdg. Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Lieut. W. H. H. SHEETS, A. A. A. G., First Brig., Third Div., Left Wing, Fourteenth Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland. ----HDQRS. NINETEENTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Field, near Murfreesborough, Tenn. January 6, 1863 LIEUT.: On Friday, January 2, the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers, U. S. Army, under my command, was formed, with the right resting near the high bank on Stone's River, being held with the Ninth Regt. Kentucky Volunteers, which joined us on the left, in reserve of the Second and Third Brigades, Third Division, which position we had assumed on Thursday, January 1, about noon. Soon after 4 p.m. heavy firing on our front caused us to take arms and stand in line. The firing had continued about fifteen minutes, when Lieut. Murdock, aide-de-camp to Col. Beatty, commanding Third Division, rode up to the front and left of the regiment and ordered me to advance. Although the order, coming from that source, was contrary to rule and custom, presuming the occasion to be an emergency requiring such a deviation. I ordered the regiment forward in double-quick time. We advanced up a gradual slope for about 200 yards, the lines in front of us pouring through our ranks in confusion; but the men preserved an excellent front, and rushed upon the enemy. In some parts of the line our pieces crossed those of the foe. His front line received a check of some few minutes, and was thrown into disorder; but a strong flanking party poured over the bank of the river, and broke our right flank to the rear, file after file. Seeing this, and that brave officers and many men of our right wing had fallen, I ordered the left to fall back. Col. B. C. Grider, commanding First Brigade, here rode up to me from the left and front, and wished me to rally the men. I told him they were falling back by order; that the enemy had flanked me in force, and that I would form line at the foot of the hill. He said, "Do so;" and stated he would give the same order to the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, on our left. The regiment rallied and formed line twice before the overwhelming force of the enemy drove them across Stone's River. The storm of missiles was terrific, and for a few moments no men could have stood under it. The bank of the river presented a scene of indescribable confusion. The colors of our regiment were seized by Second Lieut. Philip Reefy, of Company F, who gallantly dashed forward across the stream, followed by daring spirits of different regiments. At the same time Col. Grider, bearing the colors of the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, crossed with another party, and these flags, with two belonging to other regiments, rallied under their folds an indiscriminate mass of men and officers of the Third Division, which, supported by fresh troops that had been ordered to the conflict, drove back, in terrible confusion the columns of the enemy, victorious but a moment before. The colors of the Nineteenth Ohio and Ninth Kentucky were placed on three pieces of the enemy's artillery, which were captured and brought into our lines by squads composed of the different regiments and brigades of the division. After this magnificent scene of individual heroism, the different detachments of the regiment formed on the same ground we occupied in the morning, and bivouacked that night. Again we have the regret the loss of brave officers and men. Capt. Urwin Bean, of Company E; First Lieut. Job D. Bell, commanding Company C, and Sergt. Maj. Lyman Tylee were killed while gallantly performing their duties. First Lieut. Aurora C. Keel, of Company F, was severely wounded; Second Lieut. William A. Sutherland, of Company H, slightly. Capt. William H. Allen, of Company F, rendered most valuable and efficient aid as a field officer. All the line officers vied with each other in deeds of courage. I wish particularly to note the gallant bearing of First Lieut. Charles Brewer, adjutant; Second Lieut. Albert Upson, commanding Company K, and Sergt. Jason Hurd, commanding Company G. But all have done their duty, and the unpleasant task is not mine to record any acts of cowardice in the Nineteenth Ohio Regt. I annex a list of killed, wounded, and missing.* In this action we had killed 2 officers and 13 enlisted men; total killed, 15. Wounded, 2 officers and 56 enlisted men; total wounded, 58. Missing (supposed prisoners), 31 enlisted men. Respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES F. MANDERSON, Maj. Cmdg. Nineteenth Regt. Ohio Volunteers. Lieut. W. H. H. SHEETS, A. A. G., First Brig. Third Div., Left Wing, Fourteenth Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland. Source: Official Records PAGE 594-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.] Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Henry G. Stratton, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. NINETEENTH OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24, 1862. CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment in the battles of the 19th and 20th, and up to the 23d instant: Near midday of the 18th instant, we left our bivouac near Crawfish Spring under orders received from Gen. S. Beatty, marching to the vicinity of Lee and Gordon's Mills, and taking position in line of battle upon the left of Gen. Wood's division, upon the Chattanooga and La Fayette road. We remained in this position until dark, when we moved under orders to a position about one-half mile to the left and down the same road, in rear of a barricade hastily constructed of rails. Here we remained under arms during that night and until about 1 p. m. of the 20th, supporting the Third Wisconsin Battery stationed on our right. About 1 p. m. of the 20th, under orders received from Brig.-Gen. Beatty, I moved my regiment in quick and double-quick time down the Chattanooga and La Fayette road, in the direction of heavy firing, artillery and musketry, a distance of about 2 miles. Here I formed line of battle in the skirts of a thick woods, and immediately moved forward, engaging the enemy, driving them steadily before us under a heavy fire of infantry and artillery. Obtaining sight of the battery, I immediately gave the order to charge upon it, which was promptly and gallantly responded to by the men, and in connection with the Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteers, of our brigade, formed on our left, we took possession of this battery of six guns. My regiment captured about 20 prisoners, who were sent to the rear. Discovering the enemy passing in force to my right, I ordered a halt, and was very soon joined on the right by troops from the Second Brigade of our division. My right support giving way, I was ordered to fall back and take position in rear of the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, then in line a few rods to my left. I remained in this position under a heavy fire of rebel infantry until ordered to fall back, the enemy having again succeeded in turning our right flank. I was retiring my men in good order until one of our batteries stationed upon the hill across the road in our rear opened fire, several of their shot striking the center of my battalion and killing and wounding a number of my men. This created considerable confusion in the ranks and the men became somewhat scattered. I succeeded in rallying most of the regiment in rear of the batteries, from which place we were forced again to retire, and take position upon a second crest near the Rossville road. Here we bivouacked and remained until the morning of the 20th. Early on the morning of the 20th, our forces being engaged with the enemy, we moved in column of divisions at half distance to the front one-half mile, under orders from Brig.-Gen. Beatty. After changing position to the left several times, I was finally ordered to deploy column in rear of two lines of troops and a battery. The troops in our front shortly afterward became warmly engaged with the enemy, but, after a brief resistance, retired in confusion, the battery breaking through and disorganizing my line. My men became confused and scattered as a consequence, and I did not succeed in rallying them again in a body until evening. They rallied in squads, however, and remained on the field until dark, fighting with fragments of other regiments. Having collected my command, less the killed and wounded, at Missionary Gap near Rossville, on the evening of the 20th we bivouacked until 2 a. m. of the 21st, when we moved under orders from Gen. S. Beatty to the outskirts of Chattanooga upon the east side of the town. On the morning of the 22d, commenced throwing up earthworks for the defense of our position, the labor on which has been diligently prosecuted until this evening, September 23, night and day, when they were pronounced finished. The casualties in my command, during the period mentioned in this report, will be found in the tabular statement hereto annexed.* To Maj. James M. Nash, for his valuable aid, assistance, and advice, and to the officers generally for their hearty support, I return my sincere thanks. To the non-commissioned officers and privates, with very few exceptions, all praise is due. I cannot forbear mentioning the gallant conduct of the color guard. Nobly they stood to their post; 6 out of 7 were wounded. Respectfully, yours, HENRY G. STRATTON, Lieut. Col., Comdg. 19th Regt. Ohio Vol. Infty. Capt. O. O. MILLER, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Brigade.

Source: Official Records CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 818-50 [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Ohio 19th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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