53rd Ohio Infantry ​in the American Civil War

Overview

The 53rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Diamond, Jackson, Ohio, between October 5, 1861, and February 5, 1862, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles under the Army of the Tennessee. It was known for its involvement in the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea.

Organization & Service

The 53rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered in at Camp Diamond, Jackson, Ohio, from October 5, 1861, to February 5, 1862. On February 16, 1862, the regiment embarked from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Paducah, Kentucky, where it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of Sherman’s Division. The regiment saw its first major action at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, where several companies maintained formation under fire.

Following Shiloh, the regiment remained in camp for drilling until April 29, 1862, then advanced to participate in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi. Over the next year, the 53rd Ohio was primarily engaged in guard duty and construction tasks, including building bridges. In June 1863, the regiment moved to the vicinity of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and engaged in skirmishing at the Black River before participating in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi.

After returning to the Black River, the regiment was transferred to eastern Tennessee and fought at Missionary Ridge. In January 1864, nearly all members reenlisted as veterans and, following a furlough, rejoined the army for the Atlanta Campaign. The 53rd Ohio fought at Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain (where it sustained heavy casualties), Ruff’s Mill, and during the siege of Atlanta, including actions at Ezra Church and the Macon Railroad.

The regiment marched with Sherman to Savannah, Georgia, participating in the capture of Fort McAllister. After a brief period of duty in Savannah, it moved to South Carolina, fighting at the North Edisto River and continuing through the Carolinas. The regiment participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., before being sent to Arkansas for guard duty. It was mustered out of service on August 11, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Shiloh (April 1862)
• Siege of Corinth (April–May 1862)
• Operations near Vicksburg and Black River (June–July 1863)
• Capture of Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign, including Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Ruff’s Mill, Siege of Atlanta, Ezra Church, Macon Railroad (May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Capture of Fort McAllister (December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign, including North Edisto River (February–April 1865)
• Grand Review, Washington, D.C. (May 1865)

Casualties

The 53rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service) lost 60 men killed or mortally wounded in battle, and 264 wounded. Additional details regarding deaths from disease or total losses are not specified in the available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jesse J. Appler
• Colonel Wells S. Jones
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. Fulton
• Lieutenant Colonel Preston R. Galloway
• Major Harrison S. Cox
• Major Ephraim C. Dawes

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 53rd Ohio Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

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

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes X, XVII, XXIV, XXXVIII
• Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. VI
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)