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Nov 17, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017
Approx. 3 x 2 in. Silver 12th Corps star badge with copper ring and scroll engraved regimental numeral suspended with silver chain from scroll engraved name badge marked "Philip C. Nunn/Co. G. - 5th O.V.I."
Twenty-seven-year-old Irish native Philip Nunn enlisted in April of 1861 as a Private in the 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Originally enlisting for three month's service, he joined the many men of his regiment in reenlisting for another three years at the expiry of the initial term. It was during this reenlistment that Nunn was promoted to Corporal. The 5th was assigned to Camp Harrison near Cincinnati until May when it was moved to Camp Dennison, also outside of Cincinnati.
The regiment saw service in both Eastern and Western theaters of the conflict, first joining in the fighting throughout West Virginia, and then though the Valley Campaign of 1862, taking heavy losses at the Battle of Kernstown, including five color-bearers. It saw further action at Port Republic, where it captured a Confederate artillery piece as well as protected the Federal retreat, losing over 55 men. After several weeks engaging in light skirmishing, the 5th enjoyed a brief respite on the outskirts of Washington, DC, until July of 1862, when they were ordered to board rail cars and be transported further into Virginia. Barely two weeks later, the 5th participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain, where their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John H. Patrick reported "...taking about 300 men into the engagement...and only about 150 came out at the close of the fight."
The regiment continued to serve with distinction at the battle of Antietam two months later, where it fielded its 180 remaining officers and men. The 5th was engaged in heavy fighting at the cornfield where its commander Major John Collins reported "...our regiment engaged a Georgia regiment in a hand-to-hand combat, using clubbed guns, a portion of the men having no bayonet..." and pressed the Confederate retreat to Dunker Church. The 5th would leave the engagement with only 124 able bodied men. Luckily, the regiment's orders to Fredericksburg, Virginia, were countermanded and it wintered in Dumfries, Virginia, where it handily repelled a raid by Confederate cavalry. It was further engaged on the Union right flank at Chancellorsville, where it endured another 82 casualties.
The partially replenished regiment gained further glory at the Battle of Gettysburg, as it defended Cemetery Ridge. It was during this defense that it experienced fire from, as an officer reported, Confederate sharpshooters armed with "air rifles." After the Battle it was sent to quell the New York draft riots. It was later transferred to the Western Theater, and fought valiantly at Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Mill Creek, Resaca, the Siege of Atlanta, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Siege of Savannah, and Bentonville.
The war-torn and weary 5th Regiment, after traveling over 1,375 miles by foot and 99 miles by rail finally returned home in July of 1865, suffering a total of 500 dead, wounded, captured, and missing throughout the war. Nunn would continue to live in Cincinnati after the war, dying in May of 1895. He is buried in Wesleyan Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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