Overview
The 53rd Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Illinois for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered at Ottawa, Illinois, in the winter of 1861–62 and served primarily in the Western Theater. It participated in several major campaigns and engagements, including the sieges of Corinth and Atlanta, the Meridian campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas campaign. The regiment was noted for its meritorious conduct and suffered significant casualties in several actions.
Organization & Service
The 53rd Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) began organizing at Ottawa, Illinois, during the winter of 1861–62. On February 27, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Chicago to complete its organization and assist in guarding Confederate prisoners captured at Fort Donelson. It was subsequently ordered to St. Louis on March 23, and then to Savannah, Tennessee.
The regiment participated in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and was recognized for its performance on the skirmish line, receiving new Springfield rifles as a result. In October 1862, near the Hatchie River, the regiment engaged a numerically superior enemy force retreating from the battle of Corinth, holding a critical bridge and road for over two hours. During this action, the regiment assisted in moving a Missouri battery into position and supported its fire.
In July 1863, the 53rd Illinois took part in the assault at Jackson, Mississippi, under General Lauman, suffering heavy losses. On February 1, 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and participated in the Meridian campaign. After returning to Illinois for furlough, the regiment reorganized and resumed active service, including participation in the siege of Atlanta and the battles around the city in July 1864, where it again sustained significant casualties.
The regiment served as skirmishers at Jonesboro, advanced as far south as Lovejoy’s Station, and then returned to East Point. It joined Sherman’s March to the Sea, arriving before Savannah in December 1864, where it suffered additional losses from enemy artillery fire. On January 4, 1865, the 41st Illinois Infantry was consolidated with the 53rd Illinois. The regiment then participated in the Carolinas campaign, including the battle of Bentonville. Following the surrender of Confederate forces under Johnston, the regiment marched to Washington, D.C., and took part in the Grand Review. The 53rd Illinois Infantry was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 22, 1865, and returned to Chicago.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Siege of Corinth (1862)
- Battle near Hatchie River (October 1862)
- Assault at Jackson, Mississippi (July 12, 1863)
- Meridian Campaign (February–March 1864)
- Siege of Atlanta (July 1864)
- Engagements at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station (August–September 1864)
- March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
- Siege of Savannah (December 1864)
- Carolinas Campaign, including the Battle of Bentonville (March 1865)
- Grand Review, Washington, D.C. (May 1865)
Casualties
At the battle near the Hatchie River in October 1862, the regiment lost 16 killed and 49 wounded. During the assault at Jackson, Mississippi, on July 12, 1863, the regiment entered the fight with 250 men and officers and came out with only 66 remaining; the color guard and bearers were all killed or wounded. In the engagements around Atlanta in July 1864, the regiment lost 101 men killed and wounded. At Savannah, on December 10, 1864, Company I suffered 5 killed and 6 wounded from enemy shellfire. At Bentonville, the regiment lost 1 killed and 3 wounded. Comprehensive total loss figures are not specified in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William H. W. Cushman
- Colonel Daniel F. Hitt
- Colonel Seth C. Earl
- Colonel John W. McClanahan
- Colonel Robert H. McFadden
- Lieutenant Colonel Daniel F. Hitt
- Lieutenant Colonel Seth C. Earl
- Lieutenant Colonel John W. McClanahan
- Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. McFadden
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Brush
- Major Theodore C. Gibson
- Major Seth C. Earl
- Major John W. McClanahan
- Major Rolland H. Allison
- Major Charles H. Brush
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 53rd Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.
To view the complete roster, visit the 53rd Illinois Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 17, 24, 32, 38, 47 (reports and correspondence)
- Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois (1861–1866)
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- Contemporary regimental and state histories