Infantry Units: 65th 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
No correspondence from Field and Staff personnel has been identified at this writing.
Roster - Company A, 65th OVI
Captain John C. Mathias
John C. Mathias enlisted as a 21 year old Private in Company G, 21st Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on April 26, 1861, and mustered into service the next day.
He took part in the summer's campaign in western Virginia before returning home
and mustering out of service with the regiment August 12, 1861. Mathias was
commissioned First Lieutenant in Company K, 65th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on
November 4, 1861, and took part in many engagements with his regiment. He was
promoted to the rank of Captain to date February 20, 1863 and transferred to
Company A. Wounded at the battle of New Hope Church on May 28, 1864, he resigned
his commission December 17, 1864.
Hancock Jeffersonian: December 11, 1863
Roster - Company C, 65th OVI
Private Alvin M. Parker, Company C
Alvin M. Parker enlisted as a 32 year old Private in Company C, 65th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on October 19, 1861, mustering into service December 2, 1861.
He was discharged for disability July 12, 1862 at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Letter: Norwalk Reflector: January 14, 1862
Roster - Company K, 65th OVI
Captain Christian M. Bush
Christian M. Bush enlisted as a 22 year old Sergeant in Company A, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry on April 19, 1861, mustering into service April 27, 1861. He served through the summer's campaign in western Virginia, then returned home, mustering out August 12, 1861 at Columbus, Ohio. Bush then enlisted as a Corporal in Company K, 65th Ohio Volunteer Infantry October 14, 1861, being promoted to Sergeant November 30, 1861, and mustering into service December 10, 1862.
Bush fought in the battle of Shiloh and was again promoted to First Sergeant
to date May 2, 1862. Following the fight at Stones River, he was commissioned
Second Lieutenant to date March 30, 1863. Bush was promoted to First Lieutenant
and transferred to Company C to date June 14, 1864, and to Captain to date
December 9, 1864 and transferred again to Company A. He mustered out November
30, 1865 at Victoria, Texas.
Hancock Jeffersonian: October 21, 1864
Corporal Lewis Bretz
Lewis Bretz enlisted as a 31 year old Corporal in Company K, 65th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on November 23, 1861, and mustered into service December 10,
1861. He died of disease July 7, 1863 at a hospital in Pelham, Tennessee and is
buried at Stones River National Cemetery.
Hancock Jeffersonian: August 7, 1863
Private Christian Kanzig
Christian Kanzig enlisted as a 20 year old Private in Company K, 65th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on November 15, 1861, mustering into service December 10, 1861.
He served with the regiment through several battles but was captured September 20,
1863 at the battle of Chickamauga. He was imprisoned for many months and returned
home, only to die of disease January 5, 1865.
Hancock Jeffersonian: January 13, 1865
