A battalion
of four companies of this regiment was organized at
Camp Chase, Ohio, under Major Peter Zinn in
the summer of 1862, but the regiment was not fully
recruited and mustered in until July, 1863, under
Colonel George W. Neff.
Ten soldiers of Jerome Township served in this
regiment.
William Fulk and George F. Mclntyre
died in the service.
A large number of rebel prisoners were confined at Camp
Chase and the regiment was assigned to duty guarding
the prisoners. This duty was very strenuous and the
men were kept on duty continuously. Before the
regiment was fully recruited a battalion of the
regiment was ordered to Cincinnati, in September,
1862, to assist in repelling the invasion of the
rebel army under command of Kirby Smith.
It crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky and was in
line of battle some days under command of General
Lew Wallace. Manning the fortifications
around Covington, they were very highly complimented
for their efficient service in front of the enemy by
the commanding officer.
As soon as the regiment was mustered Colonel
Neff, who had served as Lieutenant Colonel of
the Second Kentucky Infantry and had considerable
experience in the field, inaugu-
Samuel H.
Ruehlen
1st O. V. C. |
James H.
Dort
Minute Man |
George Ruehlen
96th O. V. I. |
Samuel H. Heard
9_th O. V. I. |
William
H. Williams
96th O. V. I. |
John P.
Williams
95th O. V. I. |
David Williams
18th U. S. I. |
William Hancroft
40th O. V. I. |
Pg. 121 -
rated the strictest discipline and the regiment
under his command became one of the best drilled
regiments that had been been organized in the state.
Both officers and men were anxious to go to the front
and a few companies were sent to West Virginia and
to Maryland for a short time on duty, but were soon
ordered back, as General Morgan and his bold
riders were making a raid through Ohio in July,
1863.
A part of the regiment was ordered to Camp Dennison
and, under Colonel Neff, was deployed
ready to resist an attack from Morgan's forces.
Trees were felled across the roads leading to Camp
Dennison and the obstructions were such that
Morgan's column made a detour and did not attack
the Post.
After the passing and capture of a large part of
Morgan's forces, the regiment was again ordered to
Camp Chase and was on duty there until October.
Colonel Neff made application to go to the
front again, and finally the regiment was ordered to
Cincinnati for provost duty. Camp Chase
was then garrisoned by a detachment of convalescents
and the Veteran Reserve Corps. The men of
these detachments being absent from their regular
commands, being dissatisfied and discipline lax,
there was great danger that prisoners would escape.
By request of the commanding officer, the 88th was
ordered back to Camp Chase, much to the disgust of
both officers and men. The regiment remained
on duty at Camp Chase until mustered out July 3rd,
1865.
This regiment was composed of good material, was well
drilled, and had the opportunity been given, it
would have rendered good service on the firing line.
The loss during the service of the regiment was
eighty by death. |
