Infantry Units: 86th 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.
Roster - Company D
Sergeant Joseph S. McClelland
Joseph S. McClelland enlisted while editor of the Tiffin Weekly Tribune as a Sergeant in Company D, 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on May 27, 1862, mustering into service the same day. He was mustered out September 25, 1862 at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.
Later in the war, he enlisted as Second Lieutenant in Company G, 5th U.S.
Colored Troops on September 11, 1863, mustering into service the same day. He
was promoted to First Lieutenant to date September 21, 1864 and was mustered out
September 20, 1865.
Letters: Tiffin Weekly Tribune: June 6, 1862 (2), June 20, 1862, July 4, 1862,
July 18, 1862 (2), August 8, 1862, September 5, 1862
Roster - Company K
Captain Erastus C. Moderwell
(also 12th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry)
Erastus C. Moderwell enlisted as 24 year old Captain of Company K, 86th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on May 27, 1862, mustering into service June 10, 1862. He was
mustered out September 25, 1862 at Camp Chase, Ohio. Later in the war, he enlisted
as Captain of Company A, 12th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry on September 3, 1863,
mustering into service October 17, 1863. He was promoted to Major to date
November 24, 1863 and wounded June 9, 1864 at the Battle of Mount Sterling.
He was mustered out November 14, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.
Letter: Bucyrus Journal: September 19, 1862
Sergeant James C. Grant
James C. Grant enlisted as a 24 year old Corporal in Company K, 86th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on May 27, 1862, mustering into service June 10, 1862. Promoted
to Sergeant on June 10, 1862, he was mustered out September 25, 1862 at
Camp Chase, Ohio.
Letter: Bucyrus Journal: July 25, 1862
Private Walter R. Gillis
Walter R. Gillis enlisted as a 20 year old Private in Company K, 86th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on May 27, 1862, mustering into service June 10, 1862. He was
mustered out September 25, 1862 at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Letter: Bucyrus Journal: July 11, 1862
Private Hamilton V. Monnett
Hamilton V. Monnett enlisted as a 19 year old Private in Company K, 86th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry on June 4, 1862, mustering into service June 10, 1862. He was
mustered out September 25, 1862 at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Letter: Bucyrus Journal: August 1, 1862
