The regiment played "The Star-Spangled Banner" while marching out of Pittsburg Landing and almost lost all of its commissioned officers in the Battle of Stones River.

[1] In September 1861, General Robert E. Lee ordered the Army of the Northwest to isolate and capture Cheat Summit Fort.

On September 12, in the cover of a stormy night, the Confederates advanced on the fort, overrunning a party of guards and killing a lieutenant.

At daylight, a wagon train guarded by the 24th Ohio left the summit for Camp Elkwater—about eight miles away—but was ambushed and captured by Rust's brigade.

A fight erupted at the pass 5 miles northwest of camp when Anderson's Brigade was engaged by 60 scouts under Capt.

Anderson's Brigade didn't commit to the fight, but Col. Kimball, hearing the gunfire in the distance, ordered Capt.

David Higgins discovered the pillaged Union wagon train about half a mile from the camp and found a lone cavalryman leading a wounded horse.

The man claimed that the scouts had been cut off, and Anderson's men had collected in large force around the entrance of the pass.

Higgins sent a squad into the woods on each side of the road and proceeded cautiously, ordering the line to cover themselves in the trees.

Lieutenant Wood and his men were deployed on the right, holding the detail of the 24th Ohio as reserves to check any enemy advance on the road.

Despite the success, Green failed to rally his men, who, seeing such a large force, fell back to the reserve, bringing with them two wounded privates.

Harrow ordered Higgins to draw in his men as an advanced guard 2 miles from camp, where they remained until morning.

Over the following days, the 24th Ohio pursued the retreating rebels, recapturing their lost comrades and claiming heavy losses for the Confederates.

The Confederates retreated due to exhaustion from the rough terrain and weather, and the captured men of the 24th Ohio convinced them that the Union defenders outnumbered them.

[3] Left Ohio for western Virginia July 26, reaching Cheat Mountain Summit August 14.

The flag arrived from the Cincinnati depot in May 1862, and was presented to the regiment by Major General William "Bull" Nelson.

The flags bore the marks of their service, including numerous bullet holes, which attested to their honorable history.

Following the conclusion of the war, the silk flags were retired and displayed in the "relic room" or rotunda of the Ohio State House.

They were occasionally used in special anniversary celebrations and parades, which evoked many proud memories of their Civil War service.

In response, Governor John Brough gave this speech: "Colonel Officers and Soldiers of the Twenty-Fourth: I thank you in behalf of the people of the State of Ohio, not only for the colors, but for having borne them so nobly and gallantly as you have throughout the three years' service.

Yes, Sir [turning to the colonel], no matter what the future may bring forth, no regiment can occupy a better position than the one you have had the honor to command.

"[4][8] Community, loyalty, and pride in their service and what they fought for resonated through the veterans and their families for the rest of their lives.