53rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 1861. Composed of volunteers from Chester, Montgomery, Blair, Huntingdon, Northumberland, Juniata, and Westmoreland counties, the regiment served in the Union Army throughout the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The 53rd Pennsylvania was attached to the II Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles from the Peninsula Campaign through the surrender at Appomattox.

The regiment was noted for its persistent service, heavy combat losses, and reenlistment as a veteran organization in late 1863. It mustered out near Alexandria, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered into service on November 7, 1861. Colonel John R. Brooke, previously a captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service), was appointed as its first commander. The regiment was initially assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, under Brigadier General William H. French and Major General Israel B. Richardson.

After initial drill and garrison duties near Washington, D.C., the 53rd moved to the Virginia Peninsula in March 1862, participating in the Peninsula Campaign. It was engaged at the Siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks (where it suffered significant casualties), Gaines’ Mill, the Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, and Malvern Hill. Following the campaign, the regiment encamped at Harrison’s Landing until late August, then moved north during the Second Bull Run Campaign, serving as rear guard during the Union retreat.

In September 1862, the regiment participated in the Maryland Campaign, being in reserve at South Mountain and heavily engaged at Antietam. Afterward, it performed burial duties and encamped at Bolivar Heights. The 53rd skirmished at Snicker’s Gap and moved with the army to Falmouth, Virginia, serving as provost guard before fighting at Fredericksburg in December, where it suffered heavy losses.

During 1863, the regiment took part in the Chancellorsville Campaign and was present at Gettysburg, where only 124 men were available for action due to detachments. The 53rd continued in the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns and reenlisted as a veteran regiment at Stevensburg in December 1863, receiving a furlough before returning to the front.

In 1864, the 53rd participated in the Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor, suffering severe losses. It then moved to Petersburg, where it was engaged in assaults, siege operations, and the action at Reams’ Station. The regiment remained on the front lines through the final Petersburg operations.

The 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry took part in the Appomattox Campaign, including the Boydton Plank Road and Five Forks, and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. It marched in the Grand Review at Washington and was mustered out near Alexandria, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (Siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Gaines’ Mill, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill)
• Maryland Campaign (South Mountain, Antietam)
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg
• Bristoe Campaign
• Mine Run Campaign
• Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor)
• Siege of Petersburg (including Reams’ Station)
• Appomattox Campaign (Boydton Plank Road, Five Forks, Deep Creek, Appomattox Court House)

Casualties

The 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry suffered heavy losses throughout its service. At Fair Oaks, the regiment lost 96 killed, wounded, and missing. At Antietam, it lost 28 men. At Fredericksburg, out of 283 engaged, 158 were killed or wounded, including 9 commissioned officers. At Gettysburg, of 124 engaged, 6 were killed, 67 wounded, and 6 missing. Total losses for the regiment over its service are reported as significant, but precise aggregate figures vary among sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John R. Brooke
• Colonel S. Octavius Bull
• Colonel William M. Mintzer
• Lieutenant Colonel Richards McMichael
• Lieutenant Colonel S. Octavius Bull
• Lieutenant Colonel William M. Mintzer
• Lieutenant Colonel George C. Anderson
• Major Thomas Yeager
• Major S. Octavius Bull
• Major Henry S. Dimm
• Major William M. Mintzer
• Major Philip H. Schreyer
• Major George C. Anderson
• Major George D. Pifer

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, enlistment dates, and additional service details when available.

To view the full roster, visit the 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 1