|
|
It was during the great Civil War however, that the Ohio National Guard can directly trace its start. Ohio played a
critical part in the Union war effort and was one of the leading contributors of manpower (including a crop of gifted generals to include
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, McPherson, Griffin,). As most of the existing militia units were incorporated into federalized volunteer regiments,
the mission of local defense and order fell to organized units of those exempted from federal service, youths, middle aged men and a
sprinkling of veterans who had completed their active duty enlistments. Numerous battalions were organized statewide that were for the first
time titled "National Guard.". During the war the Ohio National Guard served in a variety of roles, providing not only guards at the Camp
Chase and Johnson Island POW camps, but serving in a number of combat situations. During the September 1862 Confederate incursion into
southeast Ohio and the famed Morgan’s Raid in July 1863, Ohio guardsmen were actively involved. While subjected to ridicule as a result of the
lackluster performance of some poorly trained and armed local units, the Ohio National Guard in actuality played a key role in the ultimate
defeat of Morgan and his much vaunted force of Confederate cavalry. Instrumental in defending the approaches to Pomeroy and its river fords,
Ohio Guardsmen also were responsible for blocking Morgan’s escape route at Buffington Island until pursuing Union forces caught up and
administered a stinging defeat to Morgan on July 19, 1863 – the last battle fought on Ohio soil.
Over 35,000 Ohio Guardsmen were federalized and organized into regiments for 100 days service in May 1864. Shipped to the Eastern Theater,
they were designed to be placed into "safe" rear area duty to protect the railroads and supply points thereby freeing regular troops for
Grant’s push on the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. As events transpired, many units found themselves in the thick of combat,
stationed in the path of Confederate Gen. Jubal Early’s veteran Army of the Valley during its famed Raid on Washington. These Guard units
participated in the battles of Monacacy, Fort Stevens, Maryland Heights, and in the siege of Petersburg. Ohio Guard units met the battle
tested foe head on and helped blunt the Confederate offensive thereby saving Washington D.C. from capture. Significant casualties were
incurred but the Ohio Guard had proved itself the equal of regular units on the field of battle. |
