State of Ohio Id’d Issue Blanket – Lt. Samuel M. Smith, Co. A 44th Ohio Infantry

SOLD

State of Ohio Id’d Issue Blanket – Lt. Samuel M. Smith, Co. A 44^th Ohio Infantry – We have had several U.S. issue blankets, but we have not had a state issued blanket of this type before. Additionally, it is quite rare to have a soldier’s name embroidered into an issue blanket. This early war, state issued blanket is constructed of a deep, indigo-dyed, kersey-weave wool. The blanket was created by seaming four or five panels together, thereby forming a large, primarily square textile; at the onset of the Civil War, loomed blankets were limited in size to narrow panels, given the maximum width or most looms. It was not uncommon for state issue blankets to be constructed of multiple, smaller panels, in a rush to get enlisting troops readied for campaigns. This blanket was industrially loomed, most likely under state of Ohio contracts; it is not a homespun creation. Comparable to U.S. issue, war period blankets, this blanket is not seamed along each end, but seamed along the two sides. In addition, also comparable to Union issue blankets, this blanket has a wide, black stripe along each end. At one corner of the blanket, embroidered in a light, red yarn, is the following:

“Lieut. S. M. Smith.

Co. A 44 Regt. O.V. M.”

Near the diagonally opposite corner, also embroidered in the same light, red yarn, is the following:

“Lieut. S.M. S.”

As mentioned, we have had several, U.S. issue blankets, yet none with names or initials embroidered in the body of the blanket.

Condition: The blanket remains in remarkably strong condition; it does have a few, minor stress pulls, with one larger pull, but no evidence of insect damage. The embroidered name, initials and regimental affiliation remain in excellent condition. The deep blue color remains quite vivid.

Measurements: Length – 72.5”; Width – 72.5”

Lt. Samuel M. Smith enlisted, as a 2nd Lieutenant, in August of 1861, at age 23, into Co. A of the 44^th Ohio Infantry. He served a little over two years and was discharged in December of 1863. The 44^th Ohio, a Midwest regiment, was engaged in the following: The Battle of Lewisburg, The Sanders’ Knoxville Raid, The Battle of Cumberland Gap and the Siege of Knoxville.

Samuel M. Smith

44th OH Infantry
( 3-years )

History:

Organized in October, 1861, under Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert, it moved into West Virginia and operated until September, 1862 – having frequent engagements with the enemy – when it moved to Kentucky. In December the men were mounted as cavalry and operated against John Morgan. It joined Burnside’s advance into East Tennessee, and in January, 1864, the Regiment re-enlisted as veterans providing it should be mounted as cavalry. When it again assembled, after a furlough home, it was designated as the 8th Ohio Cavalry; in the sketch of which organization, its further history will be found.

From Dyer’s Compendium:

44th Regiment Infantry. Organized at Springfield, Ohio, September 12 to October 14, 1861. Ordered to Camp Piatt, W. Va., October 14. Attached to Benham’s Brigade, District of the Kanawha, West Virginia, October, 1861. 1st Brigade, District of the Kanawha, West Virginia, to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, Kanawha Division, West Virginia, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, District of Central Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of the Ohio, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, to January, 1864.

SERVICE: Operations in the Kanawha Valley and New River Region, West Virginia, October 19-November 16, 1861. Duty at Camp Piatt, W. Va., till May, 1862. Action at Chapmansville April 18. Moved to Gauley Bridge May 1. Expedition to Lewisburg and Jackson River Depot May 12-23. Jackson River Depot May 20. Action at Lewisburg May 23. Moved to Meadow Bluffs May 29, and duty there till August. Expedition to Salt Sulphur Springs June 22-25. Scout from Meadow Bluffs to Greenbrier River August 2-5 (Cos. “F,” “G” and “K”). Greenbrier River August 3. Near Cannelton September 1. Campaign in the Kanawha Valley September 6-16. Camp Tompkins September 9. Miller’s Ferry and Gauley Bridge September 11. Near Cannellton September 12. Charleston September 13. Point Pleasant September 20. Ordered to Covington, Ky., September 27. Brookville September 28. Moved to Lexington, Ky., October 6. To Richmond December 1, thence to Danville, Ky., December 20. Regiment mounted at Frankfort, Ky. Operations in Central Kentucky against Cluke’s forces February 18-March 5, 1863. Action at Slate Creek, near Mr. Sterling, February 24. Stoner’s Bridge February 24. Hazel Green March 9 and 19. Operations against Pegram March 22-April 1. Hickman’s Bridge March 28. Dutton’s Hill, Somerset, March 30. Expedition to Monticello and operations in Southeastern Kentucky April 26-May 12. Barboursville April 27. Monticello May 1. Saunder’s Raid into East Tennessee June 14-24. Pine Mountain June 16. Big Creek Gap June 17. Knoxville June 19-20. Strawberry Plains, Rogers’ Gap and Powder Springs Gap, June 20. Williams’ Gap and Powell Valley June 22. Rogers’ Gap June 26. Operations against Scott July 22-27. Williamsburg July 25 (Detachment). Loudoun July 26. Richmond and Manchester Cross Roads July 27. Burnside’s Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 17. Expedition to Cumberland Gap September 4-7. Operations about Cumberland Gap September 7-10. Cumberland Iron Works September 23. Blue Springs October 10. Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5. Bean’s Station December 14. Designation of Regiment changed to 8th Ohio Cavalry January 4, 1864. (For losses, etc., see 8th Ohio Cavalry.)

OHIO
FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY
(Three Years)

44th Ohio Infantry Regiment

The 44th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In early 1864, the regiment was reorganized into the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment.

Service

The 44th Ohio Infantry Regiment was organized in Springfield, Ohio September 12 through October 14, 1861, and mustered in for three years service under the command of Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert.

The regiment was attached to Benham’s Brigade, District of the Kanawha, West Virginia, October 1861. 1st Brigade, District of the Kanawha, West Virginia, to March 1862. 3rd Brigade, Kanawha Division, West Virginia, to September 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Kentucky, Department of the Ohio, to January 1863. 1st Brigade, District of Central Kentucky, Department of the Ohio, to June 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XXIII Corps, Department of the Ohio, to July 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, XXIII Corps, to August 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XXIII Corps, to January 1864.

The 44th Ohio Infantry ceased to exist on January 4, 1864, when its designation was changed to the 8th Ohio Cavalry.

Detailed service

Ordered to Camp Platt, Va., October 14. Operations in the Kanawha Valley and New River Region, Virginia, October 19-November 16, 1861. Duty at Camp Platt, Va., until May 1862. Action at Chapmansville April 18. Moved to Gauley Bridge May 1. Expedition to Lewisburg and Jackson River Depot May 12–23. Jackson River Depot May 20. Action at Lewisburg May 23. Moved to Meadow Bluffs May 29, and duty there until August. Expedition to Salt Sulphur Springs June 22–25. Scout from Meadow Bluffs to Greenbrier River August 2–5 (Companies F, G, and K). Greenbrier River August 3. Near Cannelton September 1. Campaign in the Kanawha Valley September 6–16. Camp Tompkins September 9. Miller’s Ferry and Gauley Bridge September 11. Near Cannelton September 12. Charleston September 13. Point Pleasant September 20. Ordered to Covington, Ky., September 27. Brookville September 28. Moved to Lexington, Ky., October 6. To Richmond December 1, then to Danville, Ky., December 20. Regiment mounted at Frankfort, Ky. Operations in central Kentucky against Cluke’s forces February 18-March 5, 1863. Action at Slate Creek, near Mt. Sterling, February 24. Stoner’s Bridge February 24. Hazel Green March 9 and 19. Operations against Pegram March 22-April 1. Hickman’s Bridge March 28. Dutton’s Hill, Somerset, March 30. Expedition to Monticello and operations in southeastern Kentucky April 26-May 12. Barbourville April 27. Monticello May 1. Saunder’s Raid into eastern Tennessee June 14–24. Pine Mountain June 16. Big Creek Gap June 17. Knoxville June 19–20. Strawberry Plains, Rogers’ Gap and Powder Springs Gap, June 20. Williams’ Gap and Powell Valley June 22. Rogers’ Gap June 26. Operations against Scott July 22–27. Williamsburg July 25 (detachment). London July 26. Richmond and Manchester Cross Roads July 27. Burnside’s Campaign in eastern Tennessee August 16-October 17. Expedition to Cumberland Gap September 4–7. Operations about Cumberland Gap September 7–10. Cumberland Iron Works September 23. Blue Springs October 10. Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5. Bean’s Station December 14.

Casualties

The regiment lost a total of 210 men during service; 3 officers and 53 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 113 enlisted men died of disease. [Note: These losses include those after the regiment’s designation was changed to the 8th Ohio Cavalry.]