Ohio National Guard

Ohio National Guard In addition to the volunteer militia's service on the front line, the title Ohio National Guard was first used in 1864 when Governor Brough organized forty-one regiments for the defense of Washington. Although their time served was brief, the buckeyes, affectionately referred to as “One Hundred Day Men”, garrisoned the defenses of Washington, thereby releasing 35,000 veterans who were transferred to General Grant's army for the Wilderness campaign. At home, National Guard regiments guarded confederate prisoners at Camp Chase in Columbus and along Lake Erie at Johnson's Island. Following the conclusion of the war, the Ohio National Guard began a slow restructuring process into a more organized and professional branch of Ohio's Government. Legislation in the early 1870s paved the way for this as Ohio lawmakers began to provide more funding for the peace time Guard and companies of men organized in nearly every community throughout the state. Regulations for drill, uniforms and equipment were outlined and sternly maintained by the Adjutant General. Any companies not in agreement with these standards were immediately disbanded and only the best survived. This period marks a third of a century of peace in the United States. However, for the Ohio guardsman this was not the case. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began nearly twenty years of labor unrest across the state and nation. Violent strikes frequently flared up in cities where workers struck for what have come to be known as the “bread and butter” issues of labor: better pay, shorter hours and safe working conditions. In Cleveland and Columbus, Toledo and Cincinnati, guard and independent companies worked side by side with local officials to protect lives and property. The conduct of the units confirmed that the Ohio National Guard had slowly transitioned from a social organization into a group of well trained and disciplined officers and men, who could answer the call when the citizens of Ohio needed them the most.