The 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized June 28, 1861 at Camp Chase (Columbus), Ohio, under the command of Col. James A. Jones.  The regiment first saw duty in the West Virginia District and was engaged at the Battle of Cheat Mountain.  It next crossed the Allegheny Mountains in April 1862 and fought at Bull Pasture Mountain and Cross Keys.  Thereafter, it was attached to General Pope’s command and saw action at the second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862.

The regiment saw its heaviest action in 1863 when encountering Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville in May and Richard Ewell at Gettysburg, both under the command of Robert E. Lee.  Casualties ran as high as 70% and, by July 2, 1863, the strength of the 25th Ohio had diminished to less than 50 men ready for duty; a far cry from the original 1,100 who answered the call to arms in 1861.

With dwindling numbers and three-year enlistments about to run out, it became necessary to convince as many war-tired veterans to extend their enlistments and to recruit new soldiers.  This was done and the 25th was subsequently assigned to General Hatch’s Coastal Division in the Department of the South.  It was sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina in November 1864 and was engaged in numerous skirmishes with the enemy, including a major engagement with Confederate forces at the Battle of Honey Hill.

The regiment continued its duties through the fall of Charleston in February 1865 and was assigned to several districts in South Carolina serving as an occupational force until the 25th was mustered out of duty on June 18, 1866.  It had served over five years.

The first company muster was:

Company A: (St. Clairsville) June 5, 1861, Camp Jackson, Ohio

Company B: (Woodsfield) June 5, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company C: (Woodsfield) June 10, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company D: (Richland, Huron, & Fayette Counties), June 8, 1861, Camp Jackson;

                            transferred to 12th Ohio Battery Light Artillery, March 12, 1862.

Company E: (Fremont) June 12, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company F: (Steubenville) June 13, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company G: (Seneca, Muskingum, & Jefferson counties) June 18, 1861,Camp  Jackson

Company H: (McConnelsville) June 26, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company I:  (Summerfield) June 26, 1861, Camp Jackson

Company K: (Toledo) June 24, 1861, Columbus, Ohio