74th Illinois Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 74th Illinois Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Fuller, Rockford, Illinois, in August 1862. Composed primarily of men from Winnebago, Ogle, and Stephenson counties, the regiment was mustered into United States service on September 4, 1862. Serving in the Western Theater, the 74th Illinois participated in major campaigns with the Army of the Ohio, later known as the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment is noted for its active engagement in numerous significant battles and for sustaining heavy casualties in several actions.

Organization & Service

The 74th Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Fuller, Rockford, Illinois, in August 1862 and mustered into Federal service on September 4, 1862. The companies were recruited as follows: Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and K from Winnebago County; Company G from Oregon, Ogle County; and Company I from Stephenson County.

On September 30, 1862, the regiment reported for duty at Louisville, Kentucky, joining the Army of the Ohio under General Don Carlos Buell. The regiment participated in the advance into Tennessee and was engaged at Nolensville on December 26, 1862. The following days saw the regiment involved in the Battle of Stones River, where it suffered significant casualties.

Throughout 1863, the 74th Illinois was engaged in the Tullahoma Campaign and the Chickamauga Campaign, including the occupation of Chattanooga. On September 24, 1863, the regiment, along with the 22nd Indiana, conducted a reconnaissance and engaged in skirmishing. The regiment fought in the assault on Missionary Ridge, sustaining heavy losses.

During the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, the regiment was engaged at Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, and other actions. At Kennesaw Mountain, the regiment suffered its greatest loss, with a 31 percent casualty rate. The regiment also participated in the engagements at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Calhoun, and in continuous skirmishing during the advance on Atlanta. It was present during Hood’s assaults on July 20 and 22, and fought at Jonesboro.

In late 1864, the 74th Illinois took part in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign, including actions at Spring Hill, Franklin, and both days of the Battle of Nashville. The regiment was mustered out of service at Nashville, Tennessee, on June 10, 1865, with 343 officers and men, and returned to Rockford, Illinois, on June 29, 1865.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Nolensville (December 26, 1862)
  • Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
  • Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
  • Chickamauga Campaign (September 1863)
  • Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
  • Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): including Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Calhoun, Acworth, and Jonesboro
  • Franklin-Nashville Campaign (November–December 1864): including Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville

Casualties

  • Stones River: 8 killed, 35 wounded, 42 missing or captured
  • Missionary Ridge: 14 killed, 39 wounded, 6 missing (out of approximately 340 engaged)
  • Atlanta Campaign (May 2–June 11, 1864): 11 killed, 59 wounded
  • Resaca: 4 killed, 22 wounded
  • Adairsville: 1 killed, 28 wounded
  • Dallas: 5 killed, 7 wounded
  • Kennesaw Mountain: 12 killed, 38 wounded, 13 missing (out of 201 engaged)
  • Jonesboro: 14 wounded and missing
  • Spring Hill: 1 killed, 3 wounded
  • Other actions: additional losses occurred, but full totals are not specified in available sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Jason Marsh
  • Lieutenant Colonel James B. Kerr
  • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Bryan
  • Major Edward F. Dutcher
  • Major Thomas J. L. Remington

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 74th Illinois Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 74th Illinois Infantry Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XX, XXIII, XXXVIII
  • Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
  • Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • Contemporary reports and regimental returns
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