3rd Ohio Cavalry
Encyclopedia
3rd Ohio Cavalry was organized in September 1861 by future Civil War general Lewis Zahm
. In April 1862, it moved with General Don Carlos Buell
through Tennessee. During that summer, the 3rd Ohio Cavalry participated in the Siege of Corinth
. It later fought at the Battle of Chickamauga
. In January 1864, the regiment was re-formed as its three year term had expired. The unit later participated in raids with Stoneman
and Wilson
before it was discharged on August 14, 1865.
Several Kelleys Island men volunteered and served in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry including: Pitt Simmons, John Ward, John Monaghan, Stephen French, Michael Hughes, August Raab, John T. Woodford, George Wright, Henry Pope and Jacob Rush (mostly companies A and L). Jacob Rush's involvement in the unit was particularly interesting. He enlisted at the age of 15, was brought home by his parents, then allowed to enlist again a few months later. Just weeks before his enlistment expired, he was sent on one last mission and captured as a spy. He provided a first hand account of his interrogation by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He spent 8 months in Cahaba Prison where he helped organize a (failed) escape attempt. Upon his release at the end of the war, he was one of the few soldiers who survived the 'Sultana' explosion. He worked his way home and established the Island House resort on Kelleys Island. When that burned in 1877, he moved to Larned Kansas and played a key roll in building that city. He also served as a Kansas State Senator. He was a prolific writer for the local newspaper, the Islander, and shared many stories of his time in service in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry.
Lewis Zahm
Lewis Zahm, sometimes spelled Louis Zahm, was a Union Civil War officer from Ohio who was commissioned a colonel on August 6, 1861, for organizing the 3rd Ohio Cavalry. He was honorably discharged on January 5, 1863. His promotion to brevet brigadier general of volunteers was dated March 13,...
. In April 1862, it moved with General Don Carlos Buell
Don Carlos Buell
Don Carlos Buell was a career United States Army officer who fought in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and the American Civil War. Buell led Union armies in two great Civil War battles—Shiloh and Perryville. The nation was angry at his failure to defeat the outnumbered...
through Tennessee. During that summer, the 3rd Ohio Cavalry participated in the Siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
. It later fought at the Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
. In January 1864, the regiment was re-formed as its three year term had expired. The unit later participated in raids with Stoneman
George Stoneman
George Stoneman, Jr. was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.-Early life:...
and Wilson
James H. Wilson
James Harrison Wilson was a United States Army topographic engineer, a Union Army Major General in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author.-Early life and engineering:...
before it was discharged on August 14, 1865.
Several Kelleys Island men volunteered and served in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry including: Pitt Simmons, John Ward, John Monaghan, Stephen French, Michael Hughes, August Raab, John T. Woodford, George Wright, Henry Pope and Jacob Rush (mostly companies A and L). Jacob Rush's involvement in the unit was particularly interesting. He enlisted at the age of 15, was brought home by his parents, then allowed to enlist again a few months later. Just weeks before his enlistment expired, he was sent on one last mission and captured as a spy. He provided a first hand account of his interrogation by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He spent 8 months in Cahaba Prison where he helped organize a (failed) escape attempt. Upon his release at the end of the war, he was one of the few soldiers who survived the 'Sultana' explosion. He worked his way home and established the Island House resort on Kelleys Island. When that burned in 1877, he moved to Larned Kansas and played a key roll in building that city. He also served as a Kansas State Senator. He was a prolific writer for the local newspaper, the Islander, and shared many stories of his time in service in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry.