Within just three weeks of being mustered into service, the 118th faced a "terrible initiation" during the (September 20, 1862), following the Battle of Antietam.

: This courageous, albeit costly, beginning earned them immediate respect from seasoned veterans, cementing their reputation as a "gallant regiment". A Legacy of Service

The story of the , famously known as the " Corn Exchange Regiment ," is a tale of extraordinary sacrifice and rapid transition from civilian life to the front lines of the American Civil War. The Birth of the 118th

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: Even when orders permitted them to retire with honor, the men of the 118th refused to retreat, suffering heavy casualties in a display of what commanders called "manly character" and "chivalry".

: Despite their lack of long-term discipline, the regiment held its ground against overwhelming Confederate forces.