Regimental History - NEW YORK SEVENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY (Three Years) The 74th, the 5th regiment of the Excelsior brigade, which contained many members of the 15th militia, was recruited at Pittsburg, New York city, Cambridgeport, Mass., Tidioute, Pa., and Long island and mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Scott, L. I., June 30 to Oct. 6, 1861, for a three years' term. It left New York Aug. 20, for Washington, was attached to Sickles' Excelsior brigade and stationed along the Lower Potomac in Maryland during the first winter; embarked in April, 1862, for the Peninsula with the brigade, as part of the 2nd division, 3d corps; shared in the siege operations before Yorktown; took a prominent part in the battle of Williamsburg, for which the brigade won the highest praises, the loss of the regiment in this battle being 143 killed, wounded or missing, and in the ensuing engagements of Fair Oaks and the Seven Days' battles it was constantly in action. Upon its withdrawal from the Peninsula in August, the regiment was sent to the support of Gen. Pope at Manassas, after which it retired to the defenses of Washington. In November it marched to Falmouth; participated in the battle of Fredericksburg; returned to its camp at Falmouth for the winter. Battles Fought: Fought on 05 May 1862 at Williamsburg, VA. Fought on 01 June 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 12 June 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 25 June 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Fought on 25 June 1862 at Oak Grove, VA. Fought on 30 June 1862 at Glendale, VA. Fought on 01 July 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA. Fought on 02 July 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA. Fought on 02 July 1862 at White Oak Swamp, VA. Fought on 27 August 1862 at Bristoe Station, VA. Fought on 27 August 1862 at Kettle Run, VA. Fought on 29 August 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA. Fredericksburg Dec 1862 Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 105 |