| History of the 174th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Dyer's Compendium & Address delivered by Gen John S. Jones at the reunion of the 174th OVI, August 30, 1894 at Marysville, Ohio The War of the Rebellion Official Records 1894 |
| This was one of the last series of regiments raised in Ohio to serve for one year, and was composed mainly of those who, having seen service in the three years' regiments and becoming tired of the monotony of civil life, eagerly enrolled their names for another year's campaign. It was organized at Camp Chase on the 21st of September, 1864, and left Columbus on the 23rd, with orders to proceed to Nashville, Tenn. and report to Major-General W.T. Sherman, then commanding the Military Division of the Mississippi. The regiment reached Nashville, Sept. 20th , and was immediately ordered to proceed to Murfreesboro, which point was then threatened by the Rebel cavarlry under General Forrest. It remained at Murfreesboro until the 27th of October, occupying most of the time in perfecting its drill, which it had necessarily neglected for want of time, as the regiment had been pushed to the front immediately after its organization. On the 27th of October it left Murfreesboro wth orders to report to the commanding officer at Decatur, Alabama. Decatur was reached on the 28th, and the garrison found gallantly defending itself from a fierce attack made upon it by Hood's advance. The regiment remained at Decatur until the fight was over and the enemy driven off. It was then moved to the mouth of Elk River, leaving on the way four companies as a garrison for Athens, Alabama. In the course of a few days the 174th was moved back to Decatur, at which place it remained until the 26th of Nov., when the town was evacuated. The enemy's cavalry, having crossed over toward Murfreesboro, help was needed in that quarter, and the regiment was sent back to that place in haste. It remained at Murfreesboro during the siege (December 4th) and participated in the battle of Overall's Creek. In this affair the regiment proved its good pluck and discipline by crossing the creek in the face of the enemy in good order, and driving Bate's Rebel division from the field. In obdience to the command of Gen. Milroy, it continue to advance under a heavy artillery fire, and against five times its number, until ordered back by the proper officer. The loss of the regiment in this affair was two officers wounded, six men killed, and 38 wounded. Gen. Rousseau ordered the 174th on dress-parade and complimented them in person for their gallantry. On the 7th of December the regiment was engaged in what was called the battle of the Cedars, and again maintained the reputation of Ohio soldiers for gallantry and bravery in battle. Watching its chances the regiment made a gallant charge agaisnt the Rebel breastworks and captured two cannon, a stand of Rebel colors belonging to the First and Foutth Florida, and about two hundred prisoners. Its loss was one commissioned officer killed (Maj. B.C.G. Reid, of Zanesville) and seven wounded and four men killed and twenty-two wounded. Major Reid was shot through the head while urging on his men to the charge. The regiments was complimented in general orders for this conduct. The 174th participated in all the fighting around Murfreesboro and after the siege was raised was assigned to the 23 Army Corps and joined it at Columbia, Tenn. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of that corps and marched with it to Clifton, Tenn. Embarking with the corps Jan 17, 1865, the regiment moved down the Tennessee and up the Ohio River to Cincinnati, reaching there on Jan. 24. Here, with its division and corps, it took the train and sped on to Washington City, which it reached on the 29th of Jan. 1865. This long journey was made in bitter cold weather, and the men suffered severely. The train cars passed through places familiar to the men as their former homes, yet but few deserted The regiment remained in camp at Washington City until the 21st of Feb., when it started for North Carolina, reaching Fort Fisher on the 23rd. It march to Moorhead City, reaching there on the 24th, and Newbern on the 25th. It was here placed in the column commanded by General Cox, and took part in the battlle of Five Forks, at Kingston, N.C. Again the bravery and discipline of the 174th were exemplified. It received and repulsed the desperate assault made by General Hoke on the 10th of March, the commanding officer of the regiment taking his orders directly from General Cox. It fought behind breastworks, and lost two offiers wounded, four men killed, and 23 wounded. It took in over its breastworks 142 prisoners during the assault, and a larger number afterward. This was among the last fight of the war, and the last in which the 174th was engaged. The regiment moved with the rest of the National forces to Goldsboro, where Sherman's army was joined on the 21st of March, 1865. It remained as part of Sherman's column until the end of the war, and operated under General Schofield in the Dept. of N.C, being sent to Wadesboro, N.C., to keep the chivalry in order and adminster the oath of allegiance to magistrates. Under the order mustering out volunteers whose term of service expired previous to the 1st of October, the 174th was mustered out June 28th, at Charlotte, N.C., and started immediately for home by way of Greensborro, Danville, and City Point, reaching Columbus July 5th. It was paid off and discharged on the 7th of July, 1865 |
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