The 20TH OHIO INDEPENDENT BATTERY, 1862-65, was mustered into federal service at Camp Taylor (see CIVIL WAR CAMPS IN CLEVELAND) on 29 Oct. 1862 under Captain Louis Smithwright. From Dec. 1862-Feb. 1863, the battery moved toward Murfreesboro, TN.
During the CIVIL WAR, the 20th in numerous campaigns and battles. Among others, they saw action at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Nashville. They also repelled the rebel cavalry of Forrest and Wheeler during the Sherman’s March to the Sea. In 1864, the battery participated in the pursuit of General Hood to the Tennessee River. They finished out the war on garrison duty at Chattanooga.
The 20th was mustered out and its men discharged and paid off at Camp Cleveland on 19 July 1865. The battery lost 1 officer and 17 enlisted men to disease during its period of service.
Unit Assignments:
| 2d Div., 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland | Feb.-Oct. 1863 |
| 1st Div., Artillery Reserve, Dept. of the Cumberland | Oct. 1863 |
| 3d Div., 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland | Nov. 1863 |
| Garrison Artillery, Chattanooga, Dept. of the Cumberland | Dec. 1863 - Nov. 1864 |
| Garrison Artillery, Nashville, TN, Dept. of the Cumberland | Nov. 1864 - Feb. 1865 |
| Garrison Artillery, Chattanooga, Dept. of the Cumberland | Feb.-July 1865 |
Updated by Meghan Schill