The 197th Regiment was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, under the last call of the President for volunteers during the Civil War. It was mustered into service, one thousand strong, April 12th, 1865, for one year, under Colonel Benton Halstead, and was the last regiment to leave the state.  A majority of the officers and many of the rank and file had seen service in other regiments and were fully equipped and ready for service in the field as soon as mustered in.  The regiment left Camp Chase for Washington April 25th. and on arrival was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps and went into camp near Alexandria. Va.  It was assigned with the 215th Pennsylvania, 155th Indiana, as the Provisional Brigade.
     Soon after this organization was completed the brigade was ordered by rail to Dover, Delaware, and was in camp for one month, employed in guard duty and drill.  During the month

Pg. 151 -
of June the headquarters of the regiment were at Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, and detachments were sent out to guard the railroads and bridges toward Baltimore.  While stationed here the designation of the regiment was changed to the Separate Brigade, Eighth Army Corps.
     During the month of July the regiment was stationed at Fort Worthington, near Baltimore, and performed garrison duty continuously until ordered to Ohio to be mustered out.  But one Jerome Township soldier served in this regiment, Emanuel Lape.
     The regiment was composed of a splendid body of men, well drilled and disciplined, who were anxious for service in the field, but the war closed just as the regiment was mustered into service and before it reached the front.  The loss by death was eighteen.  The regiment was mustered out at Tod Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, August 6th, 1865.