OHIO SEVENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Seventy-fourth Infantry. Cols., Granville Moody, Josiah Given; Lieut.-Cols., Alexander Von Schrader, Robert P. Findley; Majs., Alexander S. Ballard, Thomas C. Bell, Joseph Fisher, Cornelius McGreevey. This regiment was organized at Columbus, Enon, Xenia, Hamilton and Cincinnati from Oct. 5, 1861 to March 27, 1862, to serve for three years. It was ordered to the field in April, 1862, reported at Nashville, and went into camp near that city. It spent the summer of 1862 performing detailed duty in Tennessee, went into the battle of Stone's river on Dec. 31, 1862, and remained in it until nightfall of Jan. 3, being hotly engaged Dec. 31, and was one of the regiments selected to charge across the river on Jan. 2, against Breckenridge's Confederate corps. The regiment went into this battle with 380 effective men, of whom it lost 109 in killed and wounded, and 46 captured. On the movement toward Chattanooga in June, the regiment participated in the battles of Hoover's gap, Dug gap and Chickamauga. It also participated in the battles of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge. A majority of the men re-enlisted as veteran volunteers and after the furlough home returned to the field in April, 1864, numbering 619 men. At Buzzard Roost gap the regiment was specially engaged and in an attempt to storm that stronghold, lost 16 men killed and wounded. At Resaca it lost 9 men killed and wounded. At Kennesaw mountain it had a most arduous and perilous duty to perform, and for two weeks was under a constant fire of musketry and shells. It was also engaged at the Chattahoochee river, Peachtree creek and in front of Atlanta. At the battle of Jonesboro it made three distinct charges and lost 14 killed and 25 wounded. The aggregate loss of the regiment in this campaign was 18 killed and 88 wounded. It moved with Sherman through Georgia and up through the Carolinas, in which heavy skirmishing was encountered at Averasboro, and at Bentonville the last battle of the army was fought. It was mustered out on July 10, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Col. Granville Moody, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. SEVENTY-FOURTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Camp near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 5, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the results of the engagements of December 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, as affecting the Seventy-fourth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under my command. Col. Miller, commanding the Seventh Brigade, Eighth Division, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, was pleased to assign to my command the position of the left center of the brigade. In the action of December 31 we were posted on the slope of an eminence facing and commanding the position held by the Rock City Guards and other regiments composing one of the most efficient brigades of the rebel forces under Gen. Withers. I am justly proud, sir, of my regiment. The brave and persistent men of my command promptly obeyed every order on that field of blood and deadly strife, and contributed largely to the glorious victory which has driven the entire rebel force from their chosen field, and has placed us in undisputed possession of Murfreesborough, Tenn. Allow me, in this connection, to note the gallant action of the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Neibling, on our left; the Thirty-seventh Indiana on our right, under command of Col. Hull, and the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, Col. Sirwell. These regiments displayed the utmost bravery, inspiring all around with the high resolve to emulate their devotion to the cause in which we have mutually invested our all. I take the greatest pleasure in reporting the gallant conduct of all the officers of the Seventy-fourth Regt. Maj. Thomas C. Bell, the only field officer with me, did his whole duty in the several engagements in the nine days' battle. Cool, fearless, and prompt, he proved himself to be the right man in the right place. I desire to record the superior qualities evinced by the adjutant of the regiment, Lieut. William F. Armstrong, of Company C. In addition to his marked business habits, to which the regiment is greatly indebted, his bravery and efficiency on the battle-field entitle him to distinguished consideration. Our line officers, too, without exception, have won the highest regards by their eminently good conduct before the enemy and in the fiery ordeal through which they have passed. Lieut.'s William McGinnis, commanding Company H; Richard King, commanding Company B; Robert Stevenson, commanding Company C; Robert Hunter, commanding Company D; Capt. Joseph Fisher and Lieut. H. H. Hering, of Company E; Capt. Walter Crook, and Lieut.'s M. Peters and Joseph Hamill, of Company F; Lieut. T. C. McElravy, commanding Company G, with Lieut. George Bricker, of the same company; Capt. Joseph Ballard and First Lieut. Snodgrass, of Company H; Lieut. Robert Cullen, of Company I, and William H. Reed, second lieutenant of Company K-these officers, sir, all did their duty bravely; there was no flinching in any one of them; each faced the iron hail unmoved; each was in place superintending the movements and cheering his men in the terrible work they were called on to perform. Lieut. Peters was severely wounded in the wrist, and was compelled to retire about the middle of the action on the 31st. Lieut. Snodgrass was last seen just before the closing struggle, cheering his men, clapping his hands, saying, "Work away, my lads; we are gaining ground!" Noble fellow! He was wounded shortly afterward, and is reported among the missing. We fear he was mortally wounded. Capt. Crook and Lieut. Cullen were also wounded in the action of the 31st, the latter dangerously. Capt. Ballard was wounded in the shoulder slightly. In the action of January 2 the Seventy-fourth Regt. occupied its position in the brigade, and aided in the decisive repulse of the rebel forces under Gen.'s Cheatham and Hanson, in which they were driven over Stone's River, and over the hill and through the fields beyond, where our soldiers made the successful charge on the rebel batteries as they belched their fiery fury on the Federal forces. At the close of that eventful onward movement, the flag of the Seventy-fourth was waving on the outer lines amid the rejoicing of its stern supporters, and there remained until recalled by the order of Gen. Negley to reform his division in the rear of the artillery in the center. The review which I have made of the battle-fields over which we have together made our way during this nine days' struggle shows the awful effectiveness of our arms, the desperate obstinacy which characterizes our troops, and warrants the belief that, though our pathway may be over bloody fields and thickly planted grave-yards, yet the flag of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, and the heroes of our glorious Union, endeared by a thousand precious memories, and the symbol of greater, grander destiny, shall be up hell and be borne along aloft till it shall float in unquestioned supremacy over all its ancient domain. The following reports I have just received from our company commanders, and forwarded by Sergt. James Worden to headquarters. Allow me to say, in behalf of the Seventy-fourth Regiment, officers and men, that with such commanders as Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans, Gen. Negley, and Col. John F. Miller, we are prepared to go forward and follow the fortunes of the flag with increasing confidence in the cause of our country against its rebel foes. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, GRANVILLE MOODY, Col., Comdg. Seventy-fourth Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry. H. M. CIST, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. Source: Official Records PAGE 440-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.] Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Capt. Joseph Fisher, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. SEVENTY-FOURTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY, Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27, 1863. SIR: In compliance with order received, I have the honor to make the following report of the proceedings of this command since leaving Cave Spring, Ala.: September 1, 1863, left Cave Spring, Ala., at 6 p. m. Marched until 2 a. m., September 2, and halted for the night. September 2 was ordered to march as train guards. September 3 marched in the right center of brigade and assisted the artillery up Raccoon Mountain. September 4 were advance guard; one company (Company C) thrown out as skirmishers, and Companies F and D, as pioneers, were ordered to encamp about 1 mile in advance of brigade. September 5 and 6 remained in camp. September 7, 1863, took up the line of march in left center of brigade. Tuesday, 8th, assisted wagon train up Lookout Mountain; marched about 2 miles and encamped. Wednesday, 9th, detailed 30 men to dig potatoes. By order of Col. Sirwell, marched as rear guard to the foot of the mountain. September 10 started at 7 a. m., went on reconnaissance on the left. Skirmished, and drove the enemy 1 mile. Encamped in a neck of woods to support Battery G, First Ohio Artillery. September 11 changed position silently at 2 a. m., 40 men and 2 commissioned officers being detailed as skirmishers. Skirmished all day, in which privates Patrick McCain, Company F, was killed,* and William H. Griffith, Company A, severely wounded; Daniel Kimmel, Company G, slightly. The regiment, supporting Battery G, fell back to the foot of the mountain. September 12 formed line of battle. Remained in camp the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. September 17, 1863, marched all day. Friday, September 18, marched, at 3 p. m., about 5 miles, and encamped. September 19 detailed as train guard; moved on still farther to the front, and at night took up our position. Sunday, September 20, supported Battery G, First Ohio Artillery, in various parts of the field. Fell back within the gap, and encamped for the night. September 21 threw up breastworks of logs, and lay in line of battle, with two companies detailed as skirmishers. Retreated in silence to Chattanooga at 11 p. m. John F. Boals, corporal, Company G, wounded in leg. September 22 regiment detailed on picket duty at 6 a. m.; threw up breastworks of rails; in afternoon had brisk skirmishing with the enemy. Wednesday, September 23, regiment remained on picket until 11 a. m., being relieved by the Nineteenth Regt., Illinois Volunteers. September 24 lay in camp all day; worked on fortifications at night. September 25 still in camp; worked on fortifications at night. September 26 and 27 still in camp. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH FISHER, Capt. Co. E, Comdg. 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Capt. CHAS. B. GILLESPIE, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brigade.

Source: Official Records CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 396-50 [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Ohio 74th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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