54th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 54th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruitment for the regiment drew primarily from Cambria, Somerset, Dauphin, Northampton, and Lehigh counties. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, on February 7, 1862, for a three-year term. The 54th served primarily in the Department of West Virginia and later in the Army of the James, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements throughout the war.

This unit is distinct from any Pennsylvania regiments of similar designation under different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 54th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Curtin and mustered in on February 7, 1862. Many officers and men had prior service in earlier campaigns. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on February 27, 1862, and encamped near Bladensburg Cemetery for several weeks of drill and routine duties. On March 29, it reported to Colonel Miles at Harper’s Ferry and was assigned to guard duty along 56 miles of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, with headquarters at Great Cacapon and later at Sir John’s Run. During this period, the regiment captured a significant number of guerrillas and horses.

Following the surrender of Union forces at Harper’s Ferry, the 54th was attached to General Franklin’s command. In October 1862, most of Companies B and K were captured by Confederate forces under General Imboden. After the organization of the 8th Corps, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division. Companies B and K were exchanged and rejoined the regiment in December, at which time the unit was relieved from railroad guard duty.

In January 1863, the regiment moved to Romney and was attached to the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, Department of West Virginia. It performed scouting and patrol duties near Purgitsville until June, then moved to New Creek and participated in the pursuit following the Battle of Gettysburg. The regiment engaged in skirmishes in July and was heavily engaged on July 19. It later moved to Petersburg for fortification duties and then to Springfield in November, joining the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division.

In early 1864, detachments were ordered to Cumberland, and Company K was captured at Patterson’s Creek. During the Shenandoah Valley Campaign under General Sigel in May 1864, the regiment fought at New Market, suffering significant casualties. Under Major General Hunter, the 54th participated in the battles of Piedmont, Lexington, and Lynchburg, with further losses. The regiment endured a difficult retreat into the Kanawha Valley and subsequently moved to Martinsburg in July.

The 54th continued to serve in the Shenandoah Valley, engaging at Snicker’s Ferry, Island Ford, Kernstown, Halltown, Charlestown, and Berryville. In September, its ranks were replenished by recruits, convalescents, and returning veterans. The regiment fought at Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek during Sheridan’s campaign.

After the Shenandoah operations, the 54th moved to Washington and then to City Point in December 1864, joining the Army of the James. In February 1865, the veterans and recruits of the 3rd and 4th Reserve Regiments were consolidated with the 54th. The regiment participated in the assault on Fort Gregg at Petersburg in April 1865 and was engaged at High Bridge over the Appomattox, where it was forced to surrender. The men were released after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The regiment was mustered out at Harrisburg on July 15, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard duty along Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (1862)
• Skirmishes near Great Cacapon and Sir John’s Run (1862)
• Operations in the Department of West Virginia (1862–1863)
• Pursuit after the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Skirmishes at New Creek, Romney, and Petersburg (1863)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1864)
• Battle of New Market (May 1864)
• Battle of Piedmont (June 1864)
• Battle of Lexington (June 1864)
• Battle of Lynchburg (June 1864)
• Retreat to Kanawha Valley (June 1864)
• Engagements at Snicker’s Ferry, Island Ford, Kernstown, Halltown, Charlestown, Berryville (July–September 1864)
• Battle of Winchester (September 1864)
• Battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 1864)
• Battle of Cedar Creek (October 1864)
• Assault on Fort Gregg, Petersburg (April 1865)
• Engagement at High Bridge, Appomattox (April 1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered the following losses in major engagements:

• Battle of New Market: 174 killed, wounded, and missing
• Battle of Piedmont: 30 killed and wounded
• Battle of Lynchburg: 54 killed
• Snicker’s Ferry and Island Ford: 7 killed
• Fort Gregg (Petersburg): 20 killed and wounded
• High Bridge (Appomattox): 21 killed and wounded

Total regimental losses, including disease and other causes, are not fully detailed in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jacob M. Campbell
• Colonel Albert P. Moulton
• Lieutenant Colonel Barnabas McDermit
• Lieutenant Colonel John P. Linton
• Lieutenant Colonel Albert P. Moulton
• Lieutenant Colonel William A. McDermit
• Major John P. Linton
• Major Enoch D. Yutzy
• Major Nathan Davis
• Major John L. Decker

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes names, ranks, and company assignments as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
• 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, Vol. 1