States at War Volume 5 by Miller Richard F

Author:Miller, Richard F.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UPNE
Published: 2015-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

State Military Affairs

In Ohio, 1864 represented what is arguably the high point of the state militia system—almost certainly during the Civil War and perhaps for all of American history. During a remarkably short period, Ohio deployed forty-two regiments of 100-day men, aggregating 37,800 troops. This contribution represented almost one-half of the total number of 100-day men raised from eleven states (80,640). The consecutive enumeration of the state’s 100-day units began with the One Hundred and Thirtieth and concluded with the One Hundred and Seventy-Second Ohio National Guard. Five of these units were retained for service inside Ohio: one regiment (and a battalion) at Johnson’s Island, one at Camp Chase, one at Gallipolis, and two at Camp Dennison. The total cost to Ohio for transportation, subsistence, and payments before federal muster was $196,652.46. As these 100-day troops deployed, others were mustering out due to expiry of service. In 1864, these included 43 three-year regiments, and 8 three-year batteries, accounting for 5,005 men (19,426 chose to re-enlist).287

Ohio’s pride in its militia contributions might have been tempered by the unwillingness of tens of thousands of eligible men to serve. Some met their obligations within the law by furnishing substitutes or by paying commutation. Of 7,711 men drafted in May, for example, 6,290 paid commutation. Other Ohioans deserted after induction, illegally evaded the draft once called, or absented themselves before the wheel was spun; Brough estimated that their numbers exceeded 20,000 in 1864. The destinations of deserters and evaders varied: some “skulked” within the state, others fled to Canada, to other states, or to the vast western territories.288 (On March 29, 1865, Ohio’s legislature would belatedly address the problem with “An Act to punish persons who leave their places of residence for the purpose of avoiding conscription”; see Legislative Sessions—1865.)

Ohio formed several artillery and cavalry regiments exclusively for defense. By December, 4 six-gun batteries had rotated sixty days each on guard duty, at a cost to Ohio of $103,910.36. The National Guard also included thirteen cavalry companies, aggregating 600 men, although these were not yet properly armed at year’s end.289

According to War Department records, between October 1, 1863, and September 30, 1864, Ohio mustered in 45,597 volunteers. This was 11.56 percent of the national total of 394,236. Between October 1 and December 31, 1863, a total of 5,731 men enlisted. The pattern in the following months shows dramatic changes. In January 1864, 5,111 enlisted; in February, 10,267; March, 5,787; April, 1,442; May, 249; June, 44; July, 53; August, 5,127; and September, 11,786.290

In November 1864, the War Department provided additional details about recruitment figures. Between November 1, 1863, and October 31, 1864, Ohio deployed 43,012 men for terms of one, two, or three years. This was 11.74 percent of the national total of 366,459. Ohio also was credited with 19,928 re-enlisted veterans (these were furloughed then returned to the field) and 4,763 draftees actually forwarded to their units.291

For the period between November 1, 1863, and October 31, 1864, Ohio’s three-year volunteers for new units included 2,687 infantry, 954 cavalry, and 247 artillery.

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