By Capt. Thomas M.F. Downes
On April 15, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Southern rebellion. One of the most enthusiastic responses came from the Cleveland Irish social club known as the “Hibernian Guard.” These “first-callers” were sworn in as Company B of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on April 29th, 1861, for a term of three months.
Shortly thereafter, the 8th Ohio assembled at Camp Dennison in Cincinnati, Ohio. On July 24, 1861, the regiment was reorganized and sworn in for a three-year term of enlistment.
Initially sent to the Shenandoah Valley, the 8th was later sent to the Peninsula area of Virginia, arriving shortly after the battle of Malvern Hill. The 8th, with the rest of its brigade, was assigned to the Second Army Corps, where it remained throughout the remainder of its term of enlistment.
Company B, along with the 8th Ohio, participated in some of the fiercest fighting of the war during the battle of Antietam. In four hours of deadly fighting, the 8th Ohio and its brigade bravely stood their ground at the infamous “Bloody Lane,” the 8th Ohio sustaining over 12% Killed in Action. After witnessing the courage and valor of the 8th and their fellow regiments, Major General Edwin V. Summer awarded the brigade with the sobriquet, “The Gibraltar Brigade,” for standing like the Rock of Gibraltar.
After distinguishing itself in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the 8th Ohio had perhaps its greatest moment at the battle of Gettysburg. On the second day of the battle, the unit was ordered forward from Zeigler’s Grove to drive off numerous enemy sharp shooters located on a ridge behind the Emmittsburg Road.
Having captured the position, the commanding officer, Colonel Franklin Sawyer, was ordered to hold the position to the last man. The 8th, always ready and willing to do its duty, held the position, and ultimately played a pivotal role in repulsing “Pickett’s Charge” by pouring a devastating fire into the Confederate left flank.
Thinking they had seen the worst the war could offer, the men of the 8th Ohio went on to participate in the horrific battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. The regiment was mustered out on Cleveland’s Public Square in July 1864, having nobly fulfilled its duty to its country. During their 3 years’ service, the 8th Ohio was awarded three Medals of Honor and is listed as one of “Fox’s Fighting 300.”
For nearly 35 years, the modern-day reenacting unit has carried on the memory of the men of the 8th Ohio and Cleveland’s Company B in living histories, battle reenactments, television programs and feature films such as “Glory”, “Gettysburg”, “Gods and Generals”, and others. So long as we are here, the “Hibernian Guard” will not be forgotten.
