Unit History
The regiment was organized in
Cincinnati under Col. Robert M. McCook. The members
of the regiment were primarily of German descent. The 9th was mustered
into
three months service April 22nd, 1861 and reorganized into three years
service May 28th 1861. Below is a list of where the companies came from:
A Co. – Originally 1st
Co. Raised by committee at Turner Hall,
Composed of Cincinnati Turners (Along
with Turners from Hamilton Co.)
B Co. – Originally 2nd Co. Raised by committee,
Composed of Cincinnati Turners, Along with
Turners from Newport
and Covington, KY
C Co – Originally 3rd Co. Raised by committee,
Composed of Cincinnati Turners
D Co. – Originally 4th Co.
Raised by committee, Composed of Cincinnati Turners
E Co. – Originally 5th Co. Raised by August
Willich at Workman’s Hall. Not
necessarily Turners.
F Co. – Originally 6th
Co. Raised by August Willich at Workman’s Hall.
Not necessarily Turners.
G Co. – Originally 7th Co. Raised by August
Willich at Workman’s Hall. Not
necessarily Turners.
H Co. – Originally 8th Co. Raised by August
Willich at Workman’s Hall. Not
necessarily Turners.
I Co. – Originally 9th
Co. Formed from the “Jaegers”, a Cincinnati militia unit
of German sharpshooters.
K Co. – Originally 10th Co. Formed from the
“Lafayette Militia”, a Cincinnati
militia unit. Apparently also Germans.
"Die Turnhalle" - Headquarter of the Cincinnati Turners, Social Center for "Die Arbeitrehalle" Recruiting state for Cos. for E, F, G & H
the German Community and recruiting station for Cos. A, B, C & D
The first regimental parade was held on April 21, led by the Turner
band, under the direction of Gunther Seidensticker. Two days later, the
company officers elected their regimental officers. McCook received six
votes for Colonel, Willich received four. Whatever friction this
division may have indicated, soon disappeared. The list of regimental
officers follows:
Colonel Robert L. McCook.
Lieutenant Colonel Karl Sondershoff.
Major Frank Link.
Regimental Surgeon Dr. Charles Krause
Assistant Regimental Surgeon Dr. Rudolph Wirth
Adjutant August Willich
Quartermaster Joseph Graff
Adjutant Willich became the real drillmaster of the organization. He not only taught the Prussian system of tactics and drill, but also commanded in the German language On April 24, the regiment was transferred to the old Trotting Park between Spring Grove and Carthage, and here the soldiers constructed the frame shacks known as Camp Harrison. There was vigorous criticism because of inadequate supplies, poor equipment, and the failure to provide proper shelter, blankets, shoes, and dry straw. The volunteers were compelled to lie down and sleep in the water and mud of the drill ground, which had been rented by the state for $20 an acre. Needless to add, there were ugly charges of corruption and graft.9 But in spite of hardships and disillusionments, the regiment was ready for inspection by April 26, and on that day it was mustered in, with 1035 men, for three months' service, by Captain G. Granger, U. S. A. In addition, the regiment boasted of a band of twenty-four German musicians. On May 16, the men were equipped with rifles, and two days later, the regiment entered Camp Dennison, between Milford and Miamisburg, where General Rosecrans was forming a brigade for service with McClellan in Virginia.