Spanish American War Website Banner

A Brief History of the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry

by Patrick McSherry
Please Visit our Home Page to learn more about the Spanish American War
Click here for a  roster of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Click here for a Surname roster of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co. F
Click here to read an odd medical case from the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co L
Click here to read aaccounts of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tennessee

General:

The Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry served its term of service within the continental United States. The unit did not see action during the war.

Unit History:

On April 25, 1898, eleven companies forming the initial regiment were enrolled at Kenton, Ohio. The final company, Company M, would not join the regiment until July 8. The companies of the regiment came from the following locations:

Company A – Findlay
Company B – Upper Sandusky
Company C – Lima
Company D – Van Wert
Company E – Tiffin
Company F – Bellefontaine
Company G – Kenton
Company H – Bloomdale
Company I – Kenton
Company K – North Baltimore
Company L – Wapakoneta
Company M - Paulding

The Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry was officially mustered into the federal service between May 10 and June 30, 1898. At the time of its mustering in, the unit consisted of forty-eight officers and 874 enlisted men. The unit was part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, of the 1st Army Corps.

Initially the regiment stationed at Camp Bushnell, in Columbus, Ohio, from April 29 to May 16. From there, the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry was sent to Camp George H. Thomas on the former Civil War battlefield of Chickamauga, Georgia, where it would remain until August 29. While at Camp Thomas, Company M joined the regiment.

By late August, the conditions at Camp Thomas had severely deteriorated because of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate supplies. The army determined that it would be best t relocate the men in the camp to other locations. The 2nd Ohio was relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee. The unit would serve out its term at Knoxville, where it would remain until February 10, 1899. The war had ended two months prior with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.

The unit was mustered out of service between February 10 and 15, 1899 at Macon, Georgia. At the time of its mustering out, the unit consisted of fifty officers and 1,163 enlisted men. During its term of service, the unit lost fourteen enlisted men who died of disease, and ten enlisted men who were discharged on disability. In addition, eight enlisted men deserted and two men were court-martialed.



Bibliography:

Statistical Exhibit of Strength of Volunteer Forces Called into Service During the War with Spain; with Losses from All Causes. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1899).

The Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War with Spain, 1898-1899. (Columbus: Edward T. Miller, Co., 1916) 71.

2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co. F Memorial Roster


Support this Site by Visiting the Website Store! (help us defray costs!)
We are providing the following service for our readers. If you are interested in books, videos, CD's etc. related to the Spanish American War, simply type in "Spanish American War" (or whatever you are interested in) as the keyword and click on "go" to get a list of titles available through Amazon.com.


Visit Main Page for copyright data

 Return to Unit Profiles

Return to Main Page