Infantry Units: 54th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
The biographical sketches here show only those members of the unit who wrote letters to their local newspapers. Information may be drawn from the unit roster, newspaper obituaries, or other biographical sources.
Field and Staff
Major General Thomas Kilby Smith
Thomas Kilby Smith was born September 23, 1820 in Boston, Massachusetts, and
enlisted as a 42 year old Cincinnati lawyer as Colonel of the 54th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry on October 31, 1861, mustering into service the same day. He was
commissioned Brigadier General to date August 11, 1863 and was given a brevet
promotion to Major General to date March 13, 1865. He was mustered out January
15, 1866 and died December 14, 1887 in New York City.
Letter: Lima Weekly Gazette: September 17, 1862
Roster - Company B, 54th OVI
Adjutant David A. Rees
David A. Rees enlisted as a 19 year old First Lieutenant in Company B, 54th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry on September 11, 1861, mustering into service the same day.
Detailed as regimental Adjutant on January 24, 1864, he was killed in action
June 27, 1864 at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Resolution: Lima Weekly Gazette: July 13, 1864
Roster - Company D
Lieutenant Colonel Israel T. Moore
Israel T. Moore enlisted as a 30 year old Captain in Company D, 54th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on September 10, 1861, mustering into service the same day.
Promoted to major to date November 13, 1863 and to Lieutenant Colonel to date,
October 12, 1864, he was mustered out August 15, 1865 at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Letter: Lima Weekly Gazette: April 30, 1862
First Sergeant William F. Howell
William F. Howell enlisted as a 22 year old Private in Company F, 20th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on April 20, 1861, mustering into service April 27, 1861. He
was mustered out August 18, 1861 at Columbus, Ohio. Returning home, he enlisted
as a Corporal in Company D, 54th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on October 16, 1861,
mustering into service the same day. Howell was wounded twice during his service:
December 28, 1862 at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, and again May 19, 1863 at
Vicksburg. Reenlisting as a veteran in 1864, he was promoted to First Sergeant
September 1, 1864 and mustered out August 15, 1865 at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Letter: Lima Weekly Gazette: May 13, 1863
Corporal John O. Callaghan
John O. Callaghan enlisted as a 26 year old private in Company D, 54th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on November 18, 1863, mustering into service the same day. He
was wounded in action July 22, 1864 during the Battle of Atlanta, and was
promoted to Corporal December 31, 1864. He mustered out August 15, 1865 at
Little Rock, Arkansas.
Letters: Lima Weekly Gazette: September 21, 1864, January 11, 1865, March 29, 1865, May 24, 1865
Roster - Company G, 54th OVI
Second Lieutenant Thomas M. Darling
Thomas M. Darling enlisted as a 24 year old Second Lieutenant in Company G,
54th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on September 10, 1861, mustering into service
January 22, 1862. The following letter from his regimental commander gives the
circumstances of his demise.
Letter: Lima Weekly Gazette: September 17, 1862
