The 26th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry

The appeals to the citizens across the north hit a nerve. For some time, many of them had contemplated what could happen if their young country became fractured over sectionalism. The citizens “had heard it proposed to divide the old flag, giving a part to each section. They had seen the picture of the emblem thus rent, and it was not a pleasing one” to contemplate. The initial response to the President's request for soldiers was primarily filled by the existing militias in the state. Ohio quickly filled her quota of volunteers. However, many more boys and men besides the established militias wanted to answer their nation's call, and they streamed into Columbus, the capital city.

Many of the soldiers who would soon comprise the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry were part of the initial rush to enlist. However, when the state quota was filled, they were told to organize themselves into local groups and await a further request. In communities across the Buckeye State, prominent local citizens seized the initiative to organize the local boys and men into companies of one hundred minute men. The organizers circulated enlistment papers for signatures and convened town meetings. Their recruitment efforts were aided greatly by “the spirit of patriotism [that] was at fever-heat, and animated by both sexes of all ages. Such a display of the national colors had never been seen before. Flag-raisings were the order of the day in public and private grounds. The trinity of red, white, and blue was to be seen in all directions.” If that was not enough, peer pressure lent a persuasive hand. After all, who could stay home when their brothers, other family members and friends were signing up? Who could stay home with the promise of travel and adventure, steady pay, three square meals, and a chance to be part of something much bigger than themselves? When the organizer had secured the commitment from the number needed, he submitted the request to Ohio Governor William Dennison's administration and awaited word on when to report for mustering in.

The energy in the budding regiments was directed toward getting organized, securing supplies, learning military jargon, rules, discipline and drills, and determining the company's leadership. The consensus understanding throughout the northern states in this new-fangled process was that whoever took the initiative to recruit the men would have the choice to serve at least temporarily as the first captain. Once the company was accepted and assigned to a regiment, the company would then formally elect the captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant. The soldier receiving the highest votes was then awarded the office of captain and so on, subject to the approval of the regiment's commander. The novel process would reveal company officers “who were diamonds in the rough, but liberally inter-mingled with veritable clod-hoppers.” Ibid., p. 35. Only time would tell into which camp each officer would fall. Once the marching and combat began, the true valor of each man would be tested. Many of the initial captains of the companies that would comprise the 26th Ohio had some formal military service. Several had served in the Mexican War, while others could only point to their secondary schooling at a military academy as evidence of martial experience.

While these local minute companies anxiously awaited word from the State House in Columbus, they continued to drill, recruit, and select their initial officers. Their wait was soon requited, as on May 3, another appeal came out from Washington, D.C. This time, President Lincoln “issued the call for United States volunteers to serve three years, unless sooner discharged.” Lincoln's administration had correctly divined that the growing conflict was going to take longer than just a few short months to settle. Accordingly, the Union was going to need more men and a commitment from them to serve for a longer period of time.

The recruits who signed the enlistment papers submitted themselves to a physical examination to determine their fitness for arduous military service. Having received his medical certificate affirming his fitness, the recruit would sign the roll of the company and record his physical description “including height, complexion, and occupation,” as well as the color of his hair and eyes. The final official step was the oath of muster that each recruit recited proudly, affirming:

"… I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies and opposers whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to the rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States.”