Lyman Shook

American Civil War Regiments

Regiment:

3rd SS Company Ohio 

Date of Organization:

7 Apr 1862 

Muster Date:

26 Apr 1865

Regiment State:

Ohio 

Regiment Type:

SS 

Regiment Number:

3rd 

Regimental Soldiers and Histo ry:

List of Soldiers

Regimental History

OHIO

THIRD INDEPENDENT COMPANY SHARPSHOOTERS

(SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY COMPANY "K")

(Three Years)

First, Second and Third Independent Companies, Sharpshoot-

ers. - In the fall of 1861 the recruiting of ten companies of

sharpshooters was ordered by the government for Gen. John C.

Fremont , then in command of the Department of the Missouri .

The regiment was to be known as Birge's sharpshooters. Gov.

Dennison received instructions from the war department that

recruits for this service should undergo a rigid test before

acceptance, which caused so much delay that the project failed.

The regiment, however, was formed by a combination of troops

from several states, Ohio furnishing three companies, the re-

maining seven companies being formed later. A battalion of

four companies entered the Army of the Cumberland , one company

was attached to the 79th Ohio infantry, and two companies to

the 60th Ohio infantry. The 1st independent company was organ-

ized at Dayton , the enrolling of which took place from Sept. 18

to Nov. 14, 1861, by Capt. Calvin Reed. It left Dayton on Oct.

15, via Cincinnati and the Ohio & Missisippi railroad for St.

Louis , Mo. , to join Birge's western sharpshooters. It was

armed with the American target rifle, and equipped with bear-

skin shot pouch, scraped powder horn, squirrel-tailed cap, blue

coat and gray pantaloons. Arriving at St. Louis , it went into

quarters at Camp Benton and on Nov. 23 was mustered into the

U. S. service. The 2nd independent company was recruited in

Hancock and Hardin counties, the organization being formed at

Findlay during the months of September and October by Capt.

Campbell Dougherty. It was also ordered to St. Louis , where it

arrived a short time after Capt. Reed's company, and was mus-

tered into the U. S. service on Nov. 30, being then assigned as

Co. H, Birge's western sharpshooters. On Dec. 12, the regiment

left Camp Benton and was engaged in scouting duty through the

counties of Boone, Audrain and Macon , Mo. , in pursuit of a Con-

federate force endeavoring to destroy the North Missouri rail-

road. It participated in the battle of Mount Zion Church , Dec.

28. On Feb. 4, 1862, it left Camp McClellan, Sturgeon, Mo.,

for Fort Henry, Tenn.; was engaged with the enemy at Fort

Donelson in February, capturing 3 stands of colors from the 3d,

16th and 18th Tenn. Confederate infantry; and was also at the

battle of Shiloh. The 3d independent company was recruited in

the counties of Allen and Hardin. It was enrolled at Lima ,

from March 12 to April 4, 1862, by Capt. George A. Taylor, and

was mustered into the U. S. service on April 7, at Camp Chase ,

Columbus . The company was at once ordered to the front and on

April 14 joined Birge's western sharpshooters at Camp C. F.

Smith, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. On this date the designation

of the regiment was changed to the Western Sharpshooters, 14th

regiment infantry. Previous to this time, not having a state

designation, Missouri and Illinois both claimed it. The regi-

ment's final designation was 66th Ill. infantry. The three

Ohio companies took the regimental letters G, H and K, but also

retained the figures as independent companies until their re-

enlistment as veterans, when they were known afterwards by let-

ter only. They established Camp Davies , Miss. , as an outpost

for Gen. U. S. Grant's army; served Gen. E. O. C. Ord as head-

quarters guard from June 23 to Aug. 23; accompanied Gen. G M.

Dodge, 2nd division, 16th corps, from Camp Davies to Pulaski ,

Tenn. , to reinforce Gen. Thomas' Army of the Cumberland at

Chattanooga ; guarded the Nashville & Decatur railroad and Rho-

des' bridge; entered the service as veterans Dec. 22, 1863, at

Camp P. E. Burke, Pulaski, Tenn.; received veteran furlough

Jan. 28, 1864, the Ohio companies going to Chicago with their

regiment, and thence to their home. Returning in time for the

Atlanta campaign they became a part of the left wing 16th

corps, McPherson's army with which they passed through the ac-

tions of this famous march. They subsequently participated in

the march to the sea and in the campaign of the Carolinas . The

three Ohio companies, blended as heroes, shared equally with

great distinction and fortitude the trials, hardships priva-

tions and dangers of war. The 1st and 2nd companies were mus-

tered out on July 7, 1865, at Louisville , Ky. , after serving

nearly four years. The 3d company was mustered out on expira-

tion of term of service April 26, 1865, at Springfield , Ill.

Inscribed on the roll of honor of the three companies are the

names of 59 heroes, killed or died of disease whose sacrifices,

sufferings and deaths during their brilliant service will never

cease to be cherished by a grateful people.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Battles Fought

Fought on 9 May 1864 at Snake Gap, GA.

Fought on 14 May 1864 at Ley's Ferry, GA.

Fought on 16 May 1864 at Rome Cross Roads, GA.

Fought on 11 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.