Surely A Fighting Regiment
Capt. Burt, of the 76th Ohio, Makes a Plea for His Organization.
Editor National Tribune: In the issue of Oct. 31, mention is
made of 24 fighting Ohio regiments included in the 300 fighting
regiments mentioned in Fox's regimental losses. Now, I cannot see
why the 76th Ohio, commanded by Col. Charles R. Woods, and
recruited at Newark, Ohio., should not have had honorable mention
with Ohio's fighting regiments.
I do not believe any Ohio regiment can show a better fighting
record or made longer marches. Its fighting was done at Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Milliken's Bend, Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Deer Creek, Jackson, Vicksburg, Siege of
Jackson, Canton, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold,
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta July 22, Ezra Chapel July
28, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, the siege of Savannah, Columbia, S.C., and
Bentonville.
The regiment marched fully 5,000 miles, including the march
from Memphis to Bridgeport, the March to the Sea, and the march
from Savannah to Washington, and was carried by water and rail
5,000 miles more, and was in all the Southern States except Texas
and Florida.
Its first Colonel, Charles R. Woods, was promoted to Major-
General; Lieut.-Col. William B. Woods was promoted Brigadier-
General, and the Major, Willard Warner, was made Inspector-General
on Gen. Sherman's staff previous to the Atlanta campaign.
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, Ky, July 15,1865,
having served three years, five months and 12 days, and lost by
death from disease and wounds and killed in battle 325 officers and
men. If this record doesn't entitle the 76th Ohio to be mentioned
as one of Ohio's fighting regiments, I would like to gaze on the
record that can make a better showing. - R.W.BURT, Captain, Co.H,
76th Ohio, Peoria, Ill.
[While there is no sketch of the 76th Ohio given in the part
of Col. Fox's book entitled "Three Hundred Fighting Regiments," the
regiment is mentioned under the head of "Greatest Losses in
Battle." At Arkansas Post, its loss is stated to have been 11
killed, 57 wounded, at Ringgold, 18 killed, 43 wounded, 2 missing.
The general statistics of the regiment given are: Killed and died
of wounds, 9 officers, 82 enlisted men ; died of disease,
accidents, in prison, etc., 5 officers, 266 enlisted men ; total
deaths, 361:]
From: The National Tribune, 18 November, 1897
Copyright © 1995-2000 Larry Stevens