Large 18th Ohio Infantry Co. A Albumen with Incredible Content and Character

If you’re looking for an up-close, immersive view of the Civil War, this large 16 by 12-inch albumen photograph of the 18th Ohio Infantry, Company A, is an extraordinary example. The scene is full of life and detail, capturing soldiers in moments both mundane and striking: two men engaged in a game of checkers, several others smoking pipes, a drummer at his post, and men carrying loaves of bread. Among the small but compelling details are a lone shoe in the lower center of the image and, perhaps most memorable, a seated soldier wearing distinctive sharpshooter glasses. The composition also features a neatly constructed stick canopy, adding structure and depth to the scene. Every element of this photograph offers a window into daily life during the Civil War, making it a rich and captivating piece for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
 
UNIT HISTORY:
Eighteenth Infantry. - (Three Years' Service.) Cols., Timothy R. Stanley, Charles H. Grosvenor; ; Lieut.-Cols., Josiah Given, John M. Benedict; Majs., Johnson M. Welch, Robert Chappell. This regiment was organized at Athens, from Aug. 16 to Sept. 28, 1861, to serve for three years. It was mustered out Nov. 9, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service, and the veterans and recruits consolidated with the veterans and recruits of the 35th Ohio infantry, the consolidated force being designated the 18th Veteran Ohio infantry. The 18th vet- eran regiment was organized Oct. 31, 1864, by consolidation of the veterans and recruits of the 1st, 2nd, 18th, 24th and 35th Ohio infantry. The regiment, 930 strong, moved into Kentucky and saw its first service in the occupation of Bowling Green. It next participated in a similar proceeding at Huntsville, Ala. At Bridgeport the regiment was attacked by Scott's Con- federate cavalry, 600 strong with 3 pieces of artillery, yet the enemy was held in check for 3 hours. At Limestone bridge a spirited fight occurred, in which the regiment lost 3 killed and several wounded. On Aug. 29 1862, Cos. A and I of the 18th Ohio, and D of the 9th Mich., were attacked at a stockade near Manchester, Tenn., by Forrest, but the Confederates were soon repulsed, losing about 100 men, without the loss of a man on the Federal side. At a critical moment at the battle of Stone's river, the regiment charged into the woods filled with Confederates and checked their advance. Upon the second day of the fight Gen. Rousseau ordered Col. Stanley to take his bri- gade across the stream. It was a fearful thing to do, but the order was executed. An order to charge was given and the enemy flew panic-stricken, leaving 4 pieces of artillery. In June the regiment accompanied the advance on Tullahoma and on Sept. 11, at Dug gap, it confronted Bragg's army. It went gallantly through the battle of Chickamauga, making several brilliant charges. After the reorganization the command was got together in time for the battle of Nashville, in which it rendered sig- nal service and took part in the bloody and finally successful assault upon Overton hill. It lost 4 officers out of 7 and 75 men killed and wounded out of less than 200. Attached to Gen. Steedman's command, the 18th followed Hood's defeated forces to Huntsville, and two days later assisted in the capture of Deca- tur. The summer of 1865 found the regiment stationed at Augusta, Ga., until Oct. 9, when the order for muster out came and in a few days the regiment was on its way to Columbus, Ohio, where on Oct. 22, 1865, the men scattered to their homes.