The companies composing this regiment were enrolled from April 18 to 24, 1861, at
Camp Harrison, near Cincinnati, and its ranks were filled by residents of that city and vicinity. Many of its members were not unfamiliar with scenes of actual combat, having served in European armies, and not a few had been through the Mexican war. It was mustered into the U.S. service from May 1 to 12, for three months, and at once marched to Camp Dennison, where instructions in discipline and drill were vigorously pushed, so that in a short time they had acquired a knowledge of military duties. Half of the term of enlistment having expired, orders were received from headquarters to organize for a longer period of service. The regiment almost as a whole volunteered for three years, and were enrolled for that period of service on June 3. It had its baptism of fire at Carnifex Ferry. The regiment served with Gen. Rosecrans in every skirmish and battle in the campaign of western Virginia, closing with the pursuit of Floyd from Cotton mountain.
Spirit of '61 