Adams County, Ohio Military History
Civil War: First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery
Company A
This regiment was mustered into the service as the 117 OVI in Sep 1862 at Camp Portsmouth OH, its eight companies aggregating 796 men. In Oct 1862, the regiment was ordered to Kentucky, where for the succeeding seven months it was engaged in guard duty and expeditions against guerrillas. In May 1863, orders were issued by the War Department changing the organization into the First Regiment Heavy Artillery, Ohio Volunteers, and on 02 Aug 1863, it was so reorganized, with twelve full companies, aggregating 1,839 officers and men. During reorganization it was stationed about Covington and Newport KY. During the fall and winter of 1863-1864, the regiment, in battalion detachments, was engaged in guard duty at various points in Kentucky. On 19 Feb 1864, it started through severe weather over the mountains to Knoxville TN, arriving there 09 Mar. Until September, the regiment was engaged in guarding the railroads through Tennessee, and subsequently participated in Burbridge and Stoneman's raids against Saltville. During the winter of 1864-1865, it was engaged in fighting guerrillas in East Tennessee and North Carolina. It formed a part of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, in guarding captured points and guarding mountain passes. After the surrender of Lee and Johnson, the regiment saw service in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. On 25 Jul 1865, it was mustered out of the service at Knoxville TN. James A. Murphy was captain at the organization; Jacob M. Tener, first lieutenant, resigned 14 Dec 1863; James R. Oldson, first lieutenant; James W. Potts, second lieutenant; Samuel R. Russell, second lieutenant.
The causalities were as follows:
| Andrew J. Beavers | 13 Feb 1864 | died at Cincinnati OH |
| Jacob Bobb | 23 Jul 1864 | died at Knoxville TN |
| Noah Countryman | 09 May 1865 | died at Knoxville TN |
| Frank Elliott | 06 Feb 1864 | died at Covington KY |
| Samuel Hayslip | 16 Sep 1863 | died at Covington KY |
| James M. Hunter | 14 Jul 1864 | died at Knoxville TN |
| Richard Mullis | 21 Mar 1864 | died at Cincinnati OH |
| John W. Newland | 10 Mar 1864 | died at Knoxville TN |
| William Rude | 09 Dec 1863 | died at Covington KY |
| Wesley Zile | 19 Jul 1863 | died at Covington KY |
From A HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO
from its earliest settlement to the present time including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the county's growth and containing numerous engravings and illustrations
Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers [1900, West Union OH]