74th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 74th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) served in the Union Army as part of the infantry branch during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Scott, Long Island, the regiment was mustered into service between June 30 and October 6, 1861, for a three-year term. The unit, also known as the 5th regiment of the Excelsior Brigade, drew recruits from New York City, Pittsburg, Cambridgeport (Massachusetts), Tidioute (Pennsylvania), and Long Island. The 74th New York was noted for its participation in major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac and was recognized as one of Fox’s “three hundred fighting regiments.”

Organization & Service

The 74th New York Infantry was organized at Camp Scott, Long Island, and mustered into United States service from June 30 to October 6, 1861. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C., on August 20, 1861, and was attached to Sickles’ Excelsior Brigade. During its first winter, the regiment was stationed along the Lower Potomac in Maryland.

In April 1862, the regiment embarked with the brigade for the Peninsula Campaign as part of the 2nd Division, 3rd Corps. The 74th participated in the siege operations before Yorktown and played a prominent role at the Battle of Williamsburg, suffering significant losses. The regiment was engaged at Fair Oaks and throughout the Seven Days’ Battles, remaining in near-constant action. After the Peninsula Campaign, the unit was sent to support General Pope at Manassas and subsequently withdrew to the defenses of Washington.

In November 1862, the regiment marched to Falmouth, Virginia, and participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg. It spent the winter encamped at Falmouth and was engaged at Chancellorsville in May 1863. The regiment then marched to Gettysburg in June, where it fought on the second day of battle along the Emmitsburg Road. Following Gettysburg, the 74th saw action at Wapping Heights, Kelly’s Ford, and Locust Grove during the Mine Run Campaign, before going into winter quarters.

In April 1864, the Excelsior Brigade was reorganized as the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Corps, and in May as the 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps. The 74th New York participated in the Wilderness Campaign and continued in active service until it was mustered out before Petersburg from June 19 to August 3, 1864. Remaining reenlisted men and recruits were transferred to the 40th New York Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Lower Potomac (Maryland) operations, winter 1861-1862
• Peninsula Campaign, including Siege of Yorktown (April-May 1862)
• Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862)
• Support of General Pope at Manassas (August 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1–5, 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Wapping Heights (July 23, 1863)
• Kelly’s Ford (November 7, 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign, including Locust Grove (November–December 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Operations before Petersburg (June–August 1864)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 124
• Died of disease and other causes: 70
• Total deaths: 194

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles K. Graham
• Colonel Charles H. Burtis
• Colonel Thomas Holt
• Colonel William H. Lounsberry
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Burtis
• Lieutenant Colonel John P. Glass
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Lounsberry
• Major William B. Olmsted
• Major Edward L. Price
• Major George H. Quaterman
• Major Henry M. Allis
• Major Lovell Purdy, Jr.

Regimental Roster

The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 74th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 74th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 2