WELCOME TO THE FIRST WEB SITE DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE HONORABLE SERVICE OF THE 26TH OVVI VETERANS DURING THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
If you are a descendant, or have any information regarding the 26th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry or any of its soldiers, you are welcome to submit information to be placed on the web page. ( Your identifying information will not be shared with anyone else unless you provide us permission to do so.) You can also list your name and email address on our descendant's page. ( See Privacy Policy below.)
This web page is dedicated to preserving the memory of the 26th OVVI, and is for educational and research purposes only.
The Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry was officially organized at Camp Chase ( Columbus, Ohio) from June 8-24, 1861 to serve for three years. As such, the regiment was one of the first to answer President Abraham Lincoln's call to defend the Union.
Throughout the War, nearly 1200 men were part of the 26th at one time or another, most as direct enlistment volunteers, but others as transfers from other regiments ( most commonly the 97th OVI). During the War, 122 were killed or mortally wounded, 11 died as Prisoners of War ( most of them at Andersonville ), 85 died from disease, 245 were disabled from combat, 112 were discharged ( probably due to serious illness or injury), 48 transferred out to other regiments, 441 were mustered out at the end of their term, zero deserted, and records are incomplete for 149 soldiers. ( Official Roster)
Of the 903 three year regiments in the War, with 122 killed or mortally wounded in combat, the 26th ranked in the top 250 in number of killed in battle, or in the top 27% in terms of number of soldiers killed. (The average number of soldiers killed in battle per three year regiment was 80.) (American Civil War Database). The regiment is also designated on historian William H Fox's list of: " Three Hundred Fighting Regiments". ( Fox Compendium)
The regiment fought in many well known major Western Theater campaigns including: Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. The regiment also fought in dozens of lesser known battles or skirmishes. The regiment also is noted for defeating famous Confederate General Forrest's Cavalry on several occasions.
The bloodiest day for the regiment was on 9/19/63 at Chickamauga. The regiment lost 56% of its fighting force that day during the fierce battles that took place in the Viniard Fields area. A beautiful large monument is erected at that site just off Lafayette Road. ( Go to Regimental Monuments page for pictures and more information).
Note: The background of this page is the front face of the 26th OVVI Monument at the Viniard Field, Chickamauga Battleground, GA.
We are interested in photos, stories, letters, or any other items of interest you would be willing to share. Email us at: jhaclisw@aol.com.
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