They were initially sent into western Virginia where they played an important, though unheralded, role in the protection of the Kanawha Valley and in helping to secure the eventual admission of West Virginia to statehood in 1863.

During the spring and early summer of 1864, under the command of General George Crook, the men of the Ninety-first fought bravely in the battles of Cloyd’s Mountain; New River Bridge; Lynchburg; Stephenson’s Depot; and Winchester, Virginia.  Later that year, during the months of September and October, they served gallantly in General Philip Sheridan’s Shenandoah valley Campaign.  It was there on September 19, 1864, at the battle of Opequan, that they suffered their greatest casualties of the war.  The focus of this book, however, is on the lives and experiences of the men who served rather than on the battle tactics and strategies of their commanders. It is through the personal letters of Lt. Col. Benjamin Franklin Coates, a physician from West Union, Adams County, Ohio, that a more intimate view of the day-to-day events is brought into focus.

 The annotated roster of the men of Company C provides detailed genealogical information gleaned from a variety of sources, including pension and military service documents, county histories, marriage and death records, and census data.

This book contains 31 photos and illustrations, 5 maps, 3 appendices including a complete roster listing for the regiment as well as the annotated roster of Company C. 209 pages, hardback with dust jacket, $29.50.  Available from the author for an autographed copy, or from Little Miami Publishing, Milford, Ohio.  It is also available through Barnes and Noble and Joseph Beth bookstores.