4th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry

03/18/2026

For informational use only. Not suggesting anyone buy.
A photo of Stephen Gover has appeared on Ebay. Stephen Grover enlisted as Private, Company F, 4th OVC on Aug 27, 1862 at age 24 years for a period of 3 years. He was discharged June 24, 1865 in Nashville, TN.
Findagrave website: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39617076/stephen_m-grove

Ebay Website:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/127731614969?_skw=4th+ohio+cavalry&itmmeta=01KM1A7XH0CEP701JF7GQMH6BR&hash=item1dbd65c4f9:g:Bl8AAeSw7cppsiwI&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xAYfm44jTBzuuKmyjDo192Y3%2B%2Bohoqs9%2BDg0U6wLKl56b9UCPJrDyO2ZGei2fuUdbQmDE1IqlILl4OC1CgkqwoWZx1wZ62XwMsxSmAG3tXKUR7AkifcNGRhxRkibXhkUBIyxeDizYecKp1gCTSgrO8KRIXFfc6Ow%2BqkcUqYeRZDr1PFmG6coNe%2BQ9yWrz15MpzI2kx0mwinZLIByjCjwypmPD5aRaTEIf%2FoCwbhAfH3l185jktohvAM3HgIaac0Zq8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9jYn6qgZw

02/12/2026

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During the American Civil War in 1862, Confederate forces retreating from Manassas, Virginia, pulled off one of the cleverest deception tactics of the war. Knowing they were outnumbered and wanting to hide their withdrawal, they created fake artillery by cutting logs, painting them black, and positioning them in their fortifications to resemble real cannons. These decoys became known as “Quaker Guns,” a nickname inspired by the pacifist Quaker tradition.
From a distance, the illusion was convincing. Union scouts believed the Confederate defenses were still heavily armed and hesitated to advance. This hesitation bought the retreating army precious time. When Union troops eventually moved in, they discovered abandoned trenches and the wooden fakes that had successfully delayed their operations.
The episode is a fascinating example of how strategy and psychology can shape warfare as much as weapons themselves. Sometimes, the fear of what might be there is more powerful than reality. The story of the Quaker Guns remains a striking reminder that in war, perception can be just as decisive as firepower.

02/11/2026

This YouTube channel covers many aspects of life that 11th OVC members would experience (and common to most cavalry and infantry units during the Civil War).

This is a channel dedicated to exploring the lifestyle, tactics, uniform, and gear used by Federal Civil War Cavalrymen during the 19th century. Subscribe for videos on cavalry living, cooking, clothing, horse care, and much more. Or you can visit our website at www.11thohiocavalry.com or on faceboo...

01/10/2026

This is the link to the 4th OVC Descendants Association website. The site is worth viewing for anyone with an interest in the 4th OVC. Their site has the history of the 4 OVC, photographs, biographies, and other resources. They also maintain a 4th OVC link on findagrave.com listing 1458 graves (61.3% of 2380 names on roster). They also have their own page. https://www.4thovcdescassn.org/https-www-4thovcdescassn-org-home-3/

Regimental Flag Welcome to our site 4th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Descendants Association The History of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry The 4th Ohio...

01/04/2026

The 4th OVVC took part in the Battle of Stones River Dec 31, 1862
- Of the major battles of the Civil War, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. It was so cold that many of the wounded were frozen to the ground by their streaming blood.
- When the battle lines were drawn, both sides had the same plan: to attack the enemy right. At dawn, Bragg acted first, attacking the Union right where the 4th Ohio was located.
- The night before, in an effort to make the Union line appear longer, Rosecrans had campfires extended a hundred yards beyond the lines on the right. During the attack, his decision benefited Bragg's attack. Attacking that area, finding no resistance, Bragg's troops now turned right and at a more advantageous angle on the Union flank. The Rebels would suddenly appear out of the fog and mist with overwhelming artillery, infantry, and cavalry fire. So sudden, the Union artillery on the right never got off a shot. Outnumbered and outflanked, and endangered of being surrounded, the infantry, artillery, and cavalry were put into a rout. This would be the first defeat of the 4th OVC as a regiment.

Battle of Stones River page with battle maps, history articles, photos, recommended books and more for this important 1862-1863 Civil War battle in Tennessee.

10/15/2025

Looks like they are filming another Gettysburg movie.
"Gettysburg 1863"

The new Gettysburg movie is the first time that fighting in the streets of town has been recreated accurately in a film. It's even more meaningful that it was done on the exact ground where this brutal action took place.

PC: Gettysburg Images

10/11/2025

Adding it Up
For the past few weeks, we’ve shared information on a number of pieces of equipment that Civil War infantry soldiers typically carried on campaign, and sometimes into battle. Knowing what gear soldiers were working with is an important step to better understanding their challenges and capabilities on the battlefields CVBT works to preserve.

To even better appreciate their perseverance and endurance it is time to add up the weight. While the weight of each piece of equipment may vary significantly from soldier to soldier, the following weights are approximate:

Haversack (with 3 days rations) = 6 lbs.
Cartridge box (with 40 cartridges) = 5 lbs.
Bayonet and scabbard = 2 lbs.
Cap pouch and waist belt = 1.5 lbs.
Canteen & tin cup (with 3 pints of water) = 3.5 lbs.
Knapsack (with shelter half, wool blanket, & personal items) = 15 lbs.
Rubber blanket = 3 lbs.
Rifle musket = 9 lbs.
Total = 45 lbs.

When considering that the average Civil War soldier weighed about 145 lbs., it is pretty impressive that they could carry so much weight for significant distances and through all types of weather.

Image of Albert H. Davis, 9th New Hampshire Inf. courtesy of Library of Congress.

https://www.cvbt.org

09/05/2025

08/27/2025

What Is Online in the National Archives Archival Databases

Are you accessing the Free National Archives Genealogy and Archival Databases? There are databases for 35 distinct genealogy topics. The archival databases cover 180 subjects.

This is a massive amount of information that will help you in your genealogy research.

Get the details and the Quicksheet at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/what-is-online-in-the-national-archives-archival-databases/

08/22/2025

4th OVC. Image from: The Story of the Fourth Regiment Cavalry From the Organization of the Regiment, August, 1861 to its 50th Anniversary, August, 1911. Based on The Book of 1890. by Lucien Wulsin, Late Private, Co. A. Revised, Corrected and Edited by Miss Eleanor N. Adams. Supplemented by a Complete Roster of the Regiment, and Several Interesting Monographs Written by Comrades. Lucien Wulsin. 216 pgs. Cincinnati. Ohio. 1912

08/18/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlX1ezikxwM&list=WL&index=1

08/13/2025

Enlisted as Pvt. Company A April 5, 1865 for a period of one year. Discharged at Nashville, TN July 15, 1865.

I have it on good authority that a reprint of Pike's very scarce Scout and Ranger, 4th OVC might be available at Mansfield. The photo above is of Wm. Y. McNair, Co. A, 4th O.V.C. SW