Overview
The 174th Ohio Infantry (One Year Service) was an infantry regiment from Ohio that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, between August 18 and September 21, 1864, the regiment was mustered in for one year’s service. The 174th Ohio Infantry primarily operated in the Western and Atlantic theaters, participating in actions in Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina.
This regiment was commanded by Colonel John S. Jones and was notable for its service during the latter part of the war, including participation in the defense of Murfreesboro and the campaign in North Carolina.
Organization & Service
The 174th Ohio Infantry (One Year Service) was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, from August 18 to September 21, 1864. Upon completion of organization, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, reporting to General William T. Sherman. Arriving in Nashville on September 26, 1864, the regiment was promptly sent to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where it remained until October 27.
On October 27, the regiment was ordered to Decatur, Alabama, and subsequently moved to the mouth of Elk River. During this movement, four companies were detached to serve as a garrison at Athens, Alabama. The main body soon returned to Decatur, remaining there until the evacuation of the town on November 26. The regiment then returned to Murfreesboro, where it was engaged during the siege and fought in the battle of Overall’s Creek. On December 7, the regiment participated in the battle of “The Cedars.”
In January 1865, the 174th Ohio Infantry moved down the Tennessee River and up the Ohio River to Cincinnati, Ohio. From there, it was ordered to Washington, D.C., arriving on January 29, 1865. The regiment remained in camp at Washington until February 21, when it was sent to North Carolina, landing at Fort Fisher on February 23. The regiment marched to Morehead City on February 24 and to New Berne on February 25. It took part in the battle of Wise’s Forks near Kinston, North Carolina. The regiment was mustered out of service on June 28, 1865, under orders discharging volunteers whose terms expired before October 1.
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
- Defense of Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Battle of Overall’s Creek (December 4, 1864)
- Battle of “The Cedars” (December 7, 1864)
- Operations at Decatur and Athens, Alabama
- Campaign in North Carolina
- Battle of Wise’s Forks, near Kinston, North Carolina (March 1865)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 174th Ohio Infantry (One Year Service) are not consistently reported in primary sources. Available records indicate losses occurred in action and from disease during the regiment’s service, but detailed numbers are incomplete.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John S. Jones
- Lieutenant Colonel A. James Sterling
- Major Benjamin C. G. Reed
- Major William G. Beatty
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 174th Ohio Infantry (One Year Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.
To view the complete roster, visit the 174th Ohio Infantry (One Year Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXXIX, XLV
- Ohio Roster Commission, “Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion”
- Dyer, Frederick H., “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
- Federal Publishing Company, “The Union Army,” Vol. 2 (1908)