You may be wondering: How did the 26th Ohio become known as the "Groundhog Regiment"? Or perhaps, more to the point, Why, on earth? The answer is found in the rare fifty-three page booklet entitled, Roster of Survivors of the Twenty-Sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, April, 1888.

 

S.F. Robinson, who was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Twenty-Sixth Ohio Association (a veteran's organization founded after the War to preserve the memory of the 26th Ohio and to promote continued contact among the regiment's comrades) wrote an introductory section regarding the history of the 26th Ohio, and he addressed that quandary:

 

"...from the facility with which the regiment could bury itself with a bayonet and half a canteen, or a spoon, and the expedition with which it could construct a line of more elaborate field works, and the frequency with which it was called upon to do so, caused the boys to liken themselves to groundhogs and finally to call the regiment, with some pride, the 'Groundhog Regiment.'"

 

" At first glance many who are not acquainted with this little animal may think it a queer fancy, and not at all complimentary in nature.  If they take the pains to get down their Appleton's Cyclopedia or their natural histories, they will find that the regiment that has all the 'soldierly' qualities of this little fellow is a good one!"

Now you know...