24th Ohio Infantry Arriving in Middle Tennessee
At Camp Jenkins, Kentucky, the company commanders of the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry assemble at 3:00 PM at the Adjutant’s quarters. The purpose of this meeting is to select a regimental chaplain.
Organized on June 17, the regiment consists of recruits from Adams, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Highland, Huron, Montgomery, Muskingum, Pickaway, and Trumbull counties. As in many other northern regiments, the officers of the 24th Ohio in the autumn and winter months, in the wake of a war that is now over eight months old, recognize that religion can further morale and discipline within the ranks.
Several ministers of various denominations have been nominated for service. After due deliberation, the officers recommend the Reverend Eduard Jones of Zanesville, Ohio, a regularly ordained minister of the Baptist denomination, for Chaplain of the regiment. Jones is duly appointed, and news of his appointment in the days following is forwarded to the governor of Ohio.
Like other denominations, Baptists send chaplains to the Union army. However, Baptists are less represented than other major Christian groups, as they refuse government salaries.
The 24th Ohio Infantry fights in battles major and minor in the Eastern theater, mustering out of service at Columbus, Ohio beginning on June 17, 1864 and ending June 24, 1864.
Sources: Appointment of Jones (link); 24th Ohio Infantry (link); illustration (link)
