Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-07-21
STORY OF AN OHIO REcImENr.

HSAVhSA UT AN OfHAO
Aprivate soldier of the 55th Ohio regiment
which arrived here yesterday-furnishes us with
the following sketch of that command. Cler
Herald -
The regiment left for Grafton, Va, in January,
1862, where it spent the winter, during which
time it went on two expeditions-one against
Romney, and the other against MOorefeld.-
Though insignificant in results, yet the hard
ships endured in these winter marches rank them
among the most terrible of the war
In April, 1862, the regiment was with the SD
Ohio and 5th Virginia, under General Schenck
Moved down the South Branch Valley 20 the
relief of Gen. Milroy at MEDIEVAL Here occur
red short but stubborn fight resulting in the
repulse of the Union forces
Thence the army fell back to Franklin, where
Gen. Fremont joined them with Sen. Blenkers
Division. Being far from supplies and roads
bad, rations being very short, and the sufferings
of the men were extreme.
On the 25th of May, the 55th started on the
celebrated campaign of the Shenandoah Valley,
to retrive the fortunes of the day in that lfated
plsce-almost lost by Gen. Banks
On the Ist day of June the army struck the
rebel force at StTasburg where commenced the
great chase of the rebel chief, Gen. Jackson
This campaign was noted for the clerity of move
ment and for the haTdships endured by the men,
On the Sth of June, 1862, found the rebels at
bay at Cross KEYS, after chase of IS miles The
55th participated in this engagement. Next
day, pursued the rebel army TO Port Republic.
but arrived too late to stay the tide against the
Union forces, under Col. Carroll Thence the
right fell back to Strasburg with the army. and
soon after crossed the mountains into East Nir--
ginia, where it joined the army of Virginia, un-
der Gen. Pope. By forced march, it reached
Cedar Mountain the night of the engagemept-
Followed the rebel army 10 miles TO Robinson
River, where commenced the great retreat TO
Washington, the enemy annoying the "Yanks"
every step of the way.
In the battle of Bull Run, August 3Ist. the
55th Ohio took conspicuous part, and received
the compliments of Gen. Seigel and General
Schenck, for their gallantry. Their loss in kill
ed, wounded and missing was 1873 Thence fell
back to the defence Of Washington, where the
regiment remained until the movement on Fred
ericksburg commenced when under Gen SeigeI
it marched TO the ill-fated field, but did not be-
come engaged.
Spent the Winter of 90 at Brooks Station
and IN the spring made the flank movement
march TO Charlottesville, where the 55th was
terribly cut up losing 1876 men, killed and woun-
ded, which was 43 per cent. of the regiment en-
gagged. About this time its first Colonel J. c. |
Lee, of Tiffin, resigned, and @. B. Gambee was |
promoted Colonel.
Soon after, started on the Gettysburg cam
paign, which, for severe marching and stubborn |
fighting, has no parallel in this war The 55th
took a distinguished part in the battle. holding |
position at the foot Of Cemetery Hill. The |
regiment here suffered severely again.
Thence marched back to Virginias barren |
fields, where it remained till the 25th day of |
September, when under General Hooker. it was |
transferred to the Western Department. The |
regiment took the cars at Manassas Junction.
and railroaded it to Bridgeport, Ala, a distance
of 1861 miles, in six days. Soon after, started
towards Chattanooga, to open more direct COM
municatiOn with the Army of the Cumberland.
which was secured, after a short but decisive
hight in Lookout Valley. Though communi-
cations were more direct, the rebels kept up an
annoying fire from Lookout Mountain. For six
weeks the 55th lay under fire of the rebel hat
terles, losing one man killed.
On the 25th of November it took part in the
battle of Mission Ridge losing lightly. Thence
marched to Red Clay Station, on the Dalton q
Cleveland Railroad, where it took its first les
son in railroad smashing After destroying the
road for several miles the forces fell back to
White Oak Ridge, where they drew rations, etc,
to starting to the relief of General
Burnside at Knoxville. The 55th formed a por-
tion of the army under Gen. W. T. Sherman
that raised the siege for the famished garrison
at knoxville.
Remaining but few days in the vicinity of
Knoxville the regiment started on its return
trip to Chattanooga. On this campaign the req
iment took its initiatory lessons in foraging
The regiment reached camp in Lookout Valley,
during the veteran fever and the disease was SO
contagious that the 18th day of January.
1864, the 55th had dOnned an extra V to its title
Its campaign homeward was a severe one and
deserves to be placed in the catalogues of cam
paigns. We need only hint that riding in box
e not nlpQGaDf in tho /
regiment reached NOrwalk Ohio January 2Ist,
1864, where it received such as only NOrwalkers
know how to give. After spending a happy
thirty days among friends, home and congenial
society, the regiment reported to Cleveland Ohio
which place it left February 25th, for the land
Of Dixie once more.
Remained in camp in Lookout Valley until
The I'd of May when the advance on Atlanta
The 55th took an active part in
he campaign, and was among the first regiments
o enter the goal of all summers work.
The regiment lost heavily at Resaca; losing
It's gallant Colonel, @. b. Gambee, and noble
Major, Il. r. Robbins both killed In officers q
md men the loss was terribly severe. At Peach
Tree Greek it performed its duty nobly under
Lieutenant Colonel Powers, withstanding the
ierce charges, without waving.
The regiment lost in killed and wounded. in
he campaign fraction over AZ per cent. of the 4
In ''Sherman's march TO the sea-" it contri- :
1uted its share of 'bummers," and helped play !
'iege to Savannah. During the raid the brig
lde it was attached to destroyed sixteen miles
# railroad.
Spending few days only at Savannah, the
d division of the 10th army corps advanced TO
dardeeville South Carolina, where it was re-
lOtbed and refitted for the last great raid.
Pulled out on the South Carolina raid Janua- n
y 29th, and after innumerable hardships and t
'rivatiOns reached Goldsboro N. c., March "a t
865.
At the battles of Averyboro and Bentonville r
he 55th suffered severely, losing in killed and
rounded above seventy men.
From Goldsboro it marched TO Raleigh, and n
nence to Washington, through Richmond, thus
ompleting its journey around and through the =
shell Confederacy." Participated in the Grand
teview, May 25th, 1865.
Left Washington for Louisville Ky, June q
9th; from Parkersburg TO Louisville, travelled o.
y steamboat.
Was mustered out July IIth, 1865.