On April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina - igniting the Civil War. The fort was under the command of Louisville native Maj. Robert Anderson, son-in-law of Cincinnati millionaire Nicholas Longworth. Known as the "Hero of Sumter," Anderson was promoted to brigadier general and sent to Kentucky to help persuade his home state to remain in the Union. He established his headquarters in Cincinnati.

Three days after the fall of Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers to fight for the Union. Ohio's quota was 13,000. A little more than two weeks later, there were enough volunteers from Ohio to meet the requirements of the entire nation. More than 100,000 Ohioans enlisted in 1861 alone. More than 340,000 from Ohio would ultimately serve - in 230 regiments, 26 independent artillery batteries and five independent sharpshooter companies. The Buckeye State would produce 19 major generals and 53 brigadier generals, plus the big three - Ulysses Grant, William Sherman and Phillip Sheridan.

In the end, more than 35,000 Ohioans died in the war.

President Lincoln once asked on the eve of a battle how many Ohioans would participate. When questioned why, he answered, "Because I know that if there are many Ohio soldiers to be engaged, it is probable we will win the battle, for they can be relied upon in such an emergency."

Rebecca Goodman

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com or call (513) 768-8361.