74th Indiana Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 74th Indiana Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized in Indiana during the American Civil War. Eight companies were organized at Fort Wayne in August 1862 and mustered in at Indianapolis on August 21, 1862. The regiment served in the Western Theater, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Ohio and later the Army of the Cumberland. The unit is noted for its involvement in significant battles such as Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign.

The 74th Indiana Infantry was mustered into Federal service for three years and served until the end of the war, participating in the campaigns through Georgia and the Carolinas, and concluding its service in Washington, D.C.

Organization & Service

Eight companies of the 74th Indiana Infantry were organized at Fort Wayne in August 1862 and mustered in at Indianapolis on August 21, 1862. The regiment immediately left Indiana for Louisville, Kentucky, and then proceeded to Bowling Green. Returning to Louisville on September 5, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Ohio, and participated in the pursuit of Confederate General Bragg.

The regiment reached Gallatin, Tennessee, on November 10, 1862, and moved to Castalian Springs, where Companies C and K joined on December 4, completing the regiment’s organization. These two companies had been left at Indianapolis to fill their ranks and departed the state on August 27, but were detained at Munfordville to assist in its defense. They engaged in a skirmish with Bragg’s advance on September 14 and took part in the general engagement at Munfordville, being surrendered with the garrison on September 17. After being paroled, they were exchanged on November 17 and rejoined the regiment.

The 74th Indiana aided in driving Confederate cavalry under Morgan across the Cumberland River at Hartsville and later at Salt River, driving him across the Rolling Fork. The regiment was then assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Corps, and moved from Gallatin to Nashville on January 13, 1863, then to Lavergne, remaining there until June 3. It then moved to Triune and participated in the Tullahoma Campaign, including skirmishing at Hoover’s Gap.

After moving from Tullahoma in August 1863, the regiment took part in the campaign against Chattanooga, crossing the Tennessee River and engaging at Dug Gap. At the Battle of Chickamauga, the 74th Indiana was among the first regiments engaged and among the last to leave the field, suffering significant casualties. The regiment reached Chattanooga on September 22 and was engaged throughout the siege and in the assault on Missionary Ridge, pursuing the enemy to Ringgold, Georgia. It then returned to Chattanooga and was transferred to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Corps.

The 74th Indiana moved with Sherman’s army during the Atlanta Campaign, participating in frequent skirmishes and battles at Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and other actions around Atlanta. Lieutenant Colonel Myron Baker, commanding the regiment, was killed in front of Atlanta on August 5, 1864. At Jonesboro, the brigade carried the Confederate works, capturing artillery and prisoners, with the regiment suffering further losses.

Following the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment joined in the pursuit of Hood’s army in October 1864, then participated in Sherman’s March to the Sea, engaging in a skirmish at Rocky Creek Church. The regiment continued through Georgia and the Carolinas to Raleigh, North Carolina, and finally moved to Washington, D.C. The original strength was 942 men, with a total enrollment of 1,157 including recruits. Losses by death totaled 260, with additional losses by desertion and unaccounted for.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Munfordville (September 1862)
• Pursuit of Bragg in Kentucky (September–October 1862)
• Gallatin and Castalian Springs operations (late 1862)
• Operations against Morgan’s cavalry (late 1862–early 1863)
• Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863), including Hoover’s Gap
• Chickamauga Campaign (September 1863)
• Siege of Chattanooga (September–November 1863)
• Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro
• Pursuit of Hood (October 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864), including Rocky Creek Church
• Campaigns in the Carolinas (early 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded at Chickamauga: 20
• Wounded at Chickamauga: 129
• Missing at Chickamauga: 11
• Killed at Jonesboro: 13
• Wounded at Jonesboro: 40 (most of whom later died of wounds)
• Total loss by death during service: 260
• Deserted: 25
• Unaccounted for: 4

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles W. Chapman
• Colonel Myron Baker (killed in action, August 5, 1864)
• Colonel Thomas Morgan
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Keefer
• Lieutenant Colonel Myron Baker
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Morgan
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. Mann
• Major Myron Baker
• Major Thomas Morgan
• Major Charles B. Mann
• Major William B. Jacobs

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 74th Indiana Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

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

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XVI, XXIII, XXX, XXXVIII, XLIV
• Indiana 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, Vol. 3 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)