Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry. — Cols., Charles W. Chapman, Myron Baker, Thomas Morgan; Lieut. -Cols., Samuel Keefer, Myron Baker, Thomas Morgan, Charles B. Mann; Majs., Myron Baker, Thomas Morgan, Charles B. Mann, William B. Jacobs. Eight companies of this regiment were organized at Fort Wayne in August, 1862, and were mustered in at Indianapolis Aug. 21, leaving the state at once for Louisville and proceeding thence to Bowling Green. They returned to Louisville Sept. 5, and were assigned to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, Army of the Ohio, and joined in pursuit of Bragg. They reached Gallatin, Tenn., Nov. 10, and moved thence to Castalian Springs, where they were joined by Cos. C and K on Dec. 4, making the organization complete. These companies had been left at Indianapolis to fill up their ranks and left the state, Aug. 27, to join the regiment, but were stopped at Munfordville to assist in the defense of that place. They were in a skirmish with Bragg's advance, Sept. 14, and took part in the general engagement that followed, being surrendered with the forces on the 17th, but were paroled and on Nov. 17 were exchanged. The regiment aided in driving Morgan's forces across the Cumberland at Hartsville, and later overhauled Morgan at Salt river, the brigade driving him across the Rolling fork. The regiment was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 14th corps, and moved on Jan. 13, 1863, from Gallatin to Nashville, thence to Lavergne, remaining there until June 3, when it moved to Triune. It then marched on the campaign against Tullahoma and skirmished at Hoover's gap. Moving from Tullahoma in August, it participated in the campaign against Chattanooga, crossed the Tennessee, and was in a skirmish at Dug gap. It was one of the first regiments engaged at Chickamauga and was one of the last to leave the field. Its loss was 20 killed, 129 wounded and 11 missing. It reached Chattanooga on Sept. 22; was in action constantly during that siege and in the victorious assault at Missionary ridge ; pursued the enemy as far as Ringgold, Ga., returned to Chattanooga and was transferred to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 14th corps; moved with Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, and was engaged almost daily in skirmishing and in the battles at Dallas, Kennesaw, Lost mountain, Peachtree creek, and numerous minor engagements about Atlanta. Lieut. -Col. Baker, in command, was killed in front of Atlanta Aug. 5. At Jonesboro the brigade carried the works, capturing 4 pieces of artillery and over 700 men. The 74th lost 13 killed and 40 wounded in this affair, most of the latter dying later of their wounds. With the corps, it was in pursuit of Hood's army in October, and then joined in the march to Savannah, the regiment engaging in a skirmish with Wheeler's cavalry at Rocky Creek Church. From Savannah it passed through Georgia and the Carolinas to Raleigh, thence to Washington City. The original strength was 942; gain by recruits, 215; total, 1,157. Loss by death, 260; desertion, 25; unaccounted for, 4. |