American Historical Ephemera & Photography

"Volunteer Enrollment" for unidentified regiment, but likely for a home guard regiment from Butler County, Ohio, ca July 1863. 11 x 17 in. (creasing, chipping, scattered ink marks). Lists the names of 112 men, their ages, dates of enrollment, residence, and ward or township. Signed by James T. Imlay and P.C. Conklin who certify that they have entered the above named under instructions from the Adjutant General of Ohio. -- Company Roll for Co. A, 65th Battalion Ohio National Guard, including a list of names identifying officers (James T. Imlay / 1st Lieut.), privates, and "substitutes," and listing "Discharges & Removals" from the battalion for reasons including "Disability," "Over Age," "Minor," and "Drafted."  -- Return of Co. F, 167th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, for the month of July 1864. Indicates 1st Lieut. James T. Imlay is one of three commissioned officers present, and a total of 94 "Aggregate" men present. A notation below "Extra or Daily duty" states "Scouting Parties sent out several times during the month."

[With:] Two letters addressed to Imlay on letterhead of General Head Quarters, State of Ohio, Adjutant General's Office, dating to October and November 1865, and relating to men on the rolls of the 65th Battalion O.N.G. -- Discharge for 1st Lieutenant James T. Imlay from Co. F, 167th Ohio National Guard, following 100 days service. 8 September 1864. 

[Also with:] Hand-tinted salted paper print, 2 x 2 5/8 in., on mount and featuring a young, identified soldier. --  A "Certificate of Clearance in time of peace." 3 October 1831. Manuscript attesting to the fact that William E. Imlay (ca 1796-1846) served a 5-year commission in the 1st Artillery Company, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of Ohio Militia and was exempt from service during peace time. -- An incomplete Requisition for Ordnance Stores for Co. A, 65th Battalion, National Guard.

James T. Imlay (1825-1899) was born in Wayne Township, Ohio, before removing to Hamilton, Ohio, in the late 1850s. Following Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's 1863 raid into Ohio and Indiana, multiple companies of home guards were organized under the militia laws of the state. A farmer and businessman, Imlay enlisted on 2 May 1864 into  Hamilton's "Union Guards," for 100 days service in the 167th Ohio Infantry Regiment. The 167th represented Butler County with most enlistees coming from the 61st and 65th Battalions of Ohio National Guard. As part of more than 35,000 Ohio National Guardsmen who were federalized, Imlay served in the Department of West Virginia. There militia regiments were primarily tasked with protecting railroads, guarding prisoners, and supply points thereby freeing regular army troops for combat.