The 64th Ohio Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Buckingham in Mansfield, Ohio and mustered in for three years service on November 9, 1861,[1] under the command of Colonel James William Forsyth.

The regiment was recruited in Ashland, Clark, Crawford, Marion, Richland, Stark, Van Wert, and Wayne counties.

[2] A number of the field grade officers were Regular Army officers who would eventually win over their recruits with their courage and professionalism on campaign.

[3] The regiment was attached to 20th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to January 1862.

20th Brigade, 6th Division, II Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November 1862.

3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Left Wing, XIV Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January 1863.

3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XXI Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October 1863.

3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, IV Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June 1865.

John A. Gillis, a corporal from the 64th Ohio, gave his reasons for fighting for the Union in the war, stating in his diary that "We are now fighting to destroy the cause of these dangerous diseases, which is slavery and the slave power.

"[4] There were others who joined up for the adventure with their friends which also led many to re-enlist when their hitch was up.

[5] The 64th Ohio Infantry mustered out of U.S. service at Victoria, Texas, on December 3, 1865.

Duty at Danville and Ball's Gap, Ky., January and February 1862.

1863: Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River, and Chickamauga Campaign August 16-September 22.

Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5.

Ruff's Station or Smyrna Camp Ground July 4.

Moved to New Orleans, La., June 16,[10] thence to Texas, and duty there until December.