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54th
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
54th
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-fourth Infantry.— Cols., Jacob M. Campbell,
Albert P. Moulton; Lieut.-Cols., Barnabas McDermit, John P. Linton,
Albert P. Moulton, William A. McDermit; Majs., John P. Linton, Enoch D.
Yutzy, Nathan Davis, John L. Decker. The 54th regiment was recruited
from the counties of Cambria, Somerset, Dauphin, Northampton and Lehigh,
during the autumn of 1861 and was mustered into the U. S. service for
three years, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Feb. 7, 1862. Col. Campbell and
many of the other officers and men had already served in the three
months' campaign. The regiment left for Washington on Feb. 27; encamped
near Bladensburg cemetery, where it spent about four weeks in drill and
other routine duties; reported on March 29 to Col. Miles at Harper's
Ferry, and was assigned to guard duty along the line of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad, having under its charge some 56 miles of road west of
Martinsburg. Its headquarters were first at Great Cacapon and afterwards
at Sir John's run. From June 1 to Sept. 10, Col. Campbell reported the
capture of 213 guerrillas and 273 horses. After the surrender of the
forces under Col. Miles at Harper's Ferry, the 54th was attached to Gen.
Franklin's command. On Oct. 4 all but 35 members of Co. K at Little
Cacapon, and all of Co. B at Paw Paw, were surprised and captured by a
force under Gen. Imboden. A little later, on the organization of the 8th
corps, it was assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd division. In December Cos.
B and K were exchanged and returned to the regiment and in this month
the command was relieved of its long service on the railroad. On Jan. 6,
1863, the regiment moved to Romney, where it remained until the opening
of the spring campaign. Lieut.-Col. McDermit resigned on Jan. 29 and was
succeeded by Maj. Linton, Capt. Yutzy being promoted major. The regiment
was now attached to the 4th brigade, 1st division, Department of West
Virginia; was engaged in scouting and patrol duty in the neighborhood of
Purgitsville until June 30, when it moved to New Creek; joined in the
pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Gettysburg; skirmished with his
pickets on July 10, and was heavily engaged on the 19th; then returned
to Romney; advanced in August to near Petersburg to relieve the 23d
Ill., and was engaged in fortifying for three weeks. It moved to
Springfield with its brigade early in November and was assigned to 1st
brigade, 2nd division, Col. Campbell in command. In Jan., 1864, Col.
Campbell with a part of his command was ordered to Cumberland, and in
February, Co. K was surprised and captured at Patterson's creek by the
enemy under the notorious Harry Gilmore. In the campaign in the
Shenandoah Valley in May under Gen. Sigel, the 54th was active at the
battle of New Market, losing 174 killed, wounded and missing. Maj. -Gen.
Hunter now assumed command of the army which was designated the Army of
the Shenandoah. The 54th was active at Piedmont, losing 30 killed and
wounded, and as a part of the 3d brigade, 2nd division was engaged at
Lexington with little loss. Its loss at Lynchburg was severe, numbering
54 killed. In the subsequent retreat across the mountains into the
Kanawha Valley, the command suffered severely. It arrived at Camp Pyatt
on June 29 and moved by rail to Martinsburg on July 14. It joined in the
pursuit of Early's forces, engaging him at Snicker's ferry and Island
ford of the Shenandoah with a loss of 7 men; skirmished at Kernstown on
the 23d, and was heavily engaged there on the 24th ; then withdrew
across the Potomac, where it engaged in the various maneuvres of the
army; after a number of heavy skirmishes fell back to Halltown,
remaining there until Aug. 28; then moved to Charlestown and thence to
Berryville, where it was active in September. While here its depleted
ranks were filled by recruits, returning convalescents and veterans. It
was active at the battle of Winchester, making a gallant charge with its
corps under Gen. Crook; shared in the splendid charge at Fisher's hill;
and suffered heavily in the celebrated battle of Cedar creek, where it
was posted in advance. On the close of Sheridan's campaign in the
Shenandoah, the 54th moved to Washington and thence to City Point,
arriving on Dec. 23, and being assigned to the Army of the James. In
May, 1864, the veterans and recruits of the 3d and 4th reserve regiments
were first organized as an independent battalion, but were united with
the 54th on Feb. 7, 1865. The consolidated organization, still known as
the 54th, Col. Albert P. Moulton, Lieut.-Col. William A. McDermit, Maj.
Nathan Davis, was assigned to 2nd brigade, independent division, Army of
the James, commanded by Gen. Ord. In the attack on Fort Gregg at
Petersburg, April 2, 1865, it lost 20 killed and wounded. In the
desperate engagement at High bridge over the Appomattox, the 54th was
forced to surrender, after losing 21 killed and wounded. Retreating for
four days with the enemy's columns, the men were released on the
surrender of Lee. From Appomattox the 54th was sent to Annapolis, and on
July 15, 1865, was mustered out at Harrisburg. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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