20th Ohio Independent Battery

compiled by Larry Stevens

References for this Unit

• see also Bibliography of State-Wide References
• Ohio In The War-Volume II. Whitelaw Reid. Moore, Wilstach & Baldwin. Cincinnati 1868
• The Issues of the War. John Stahl Peterson. Continental Monthly. no V. pg 274-287. New York. 1864
• Unit Bibliography. U.S. Army Military History Institute. Carlisle Barracks. PA. 1995

History

Organized at Cleveland under Captain Louis Smithwright, in August, 1862, it joined Rosecrans in Tennessee, February 8, 1863, and participated in an engagement at Liberty Gap, and also in the battle of Chickamauga. It joined Sherman's Atlanta campaign, operating under General Steedman on the flanks of the army, and in November, 1864, moved with Thomas to Nashville, taking part in the battles at Franklin and Nashville. It remained on duty at Chattanooga until mustered out July 19, 1865.

From Dyer's Compendium

20th Independent Battery Light Artillery. Organized at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, and mustered in October 29, 1862. Moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 31, 1862, arriving there February 8, 1863. Attached to 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 1st Division, Artillery Reserve, Dept. of the Cumberland, to November, 1863. Artillery, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to December, 1863. Garrison Artillery, Chattanooga, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to November, 1864. Garrison Artillery, at Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Garrison Artillery, at Chattanooga, Tenn., till July, 1865.
SERVICE.--Duty at Murfreesboro, Tenn., till June, 1863. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Attached to Garrison Artillery at Chattanooga till June, 1864. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27, 1863. Engaged in repelling attacks of Rebel Cavalry under Forest and Wheeler on the flanks of Sherman's army during the Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign. Action at Dalton. Ga., August 14-16. March to Alpine, Ga., September 4-20, thence march to Pulaski, Tenn. Surrender of Dalton October 13 (Section). Nashville Campaign November-December. In front of Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Spring Hill and Thompson's Station November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and garrison duty there till July 2, 1865. Mustered out July 19, 1865. Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 5 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 17 Enlisted men by disease. Total 24.

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Copyright © 1995 Larry Stevens

Last updated September 5 1998