Regimental History
OHIO
ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY
(Three Years)
One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infantry. - Col., Benjamin F. Smith;
Lieut.-Cols., William H. Harlan, Aaron W. Ebright, Thomas W. McKinnie; Majs.,
George W. Voorhes, William G. Williams.
This regiment was organized at Camp Steubenville from Sept. 4 to Oct. 11,
1862, to serve for three years and was sent to Parkersburg, W. Va., a few
days later. It remained in the western part of Virginia during the
succeeding winter and spring, and in June was engaged in a brisk skirmish at
Martinsburg, in which Co. I was captured entire by the enemy.
At Bristoe Station in October the regiment and its corps took part in a
fight with a portion of Lee's army, and for many days thereafter were
engaged in skirmishing with the enemy up to Centerville. After spending the
winter at Brandy Station, the regiment in April, 1864, went to Rixeyville,
where it remained until the opening of the grand campaign under Gen. Grant,
in his march on Richmond.
It took part in every engagement of the campaign, from the crossing of the
Rapidan to the crossing of the James. The loss of the regiment at
Spottsylvania was 16 killed and 54 wounded, and in front of Cold Harbor it
was in the assault of Ricketts' division, 6th corps, on the enemy's works,
carrying and holding them under a heavy fire.
After crossing to the south side of the James the regiment participated in
all the marches, skirmishes, etc., of the 6th corps, up to July 2, when it
went into entrenchments at the Williams house, 5 miles south of Petersburg.
Four days later it embarked for Baltimore, and there took cars for Monocacy
Junction where it played an important part in the severe battle of Monocacy,
in which it lost heavily.
It marched in pursuit of Gen. Early's army and participated in engagements
at Snicker's gap, Charlestown and Smithfield. It was in the battle known as
the Opequan, losing a large number in killed and wounded. In the action at
Fisher's hill the regiment performed a conspicuous part, losing 4 men killed
and 17 wounded.
Then it was engaged in a number of marches and counter-marches, arriving at
Cedar creek just in time to take part in the memorable battle of that name.
In December it rejoined the Army of the Potomac and spent the winter in the
trenches around Petersburg.
In a charge on the enemy's picket lines on March 25, 1865, the regiment
behaved with great gallantry, being the first to enter the entrenchments. At
3 a. m., April 2, it went into position in the front line of battle and
participated in the charge which was to dissipate the last hope of the
Confederate States. The regiment was mustered out on June 25, 1865. It lost
during its term of service 9 officers and 111 men killed; 10 officers and
379 men wounded; aggregate, 509.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 2
