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55th
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
55th
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-fifth Infantry.— Cols., Richard White, John H.
Filler; Lieut- Cols., Frank T. Bennett, John H. Filler, James Metzger;
Majs., John H. Filler, James Metzger, John Gotshall, George H. Hill. The
55th regiment was recruited during the summer and autumn of 1861 from
the counties of Cambria, Berks, Schuylkill, Indiana, Dauphin, Blair and
Bedford. It rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, three companies, B,
E and G being stationed for a time at Camp Cameron. It was mustered into
the U. S. service for three years, and on Nov. 22, 1861, with 38
officers and 757 men, left the state for Fortress Monroe, where drill
was continued until Dec. 8, when it embarked for Port Royal, S. C,
arriving on the 12th. It guarded the approaches to the west of Hilton
Head until Feb. 25, 1862, and garrisoned Edisto island by detachments
until the following October, the various companies being often subjected
to attacks of the enemy and losing about 20 killed and wounded in the
engagement of March 29. It shared in an expedition up the Broad river in
October to destroy the Charleston & Savannah railroad, being engaged
with the enemy at Caston's and Frampton's plantations, and at Pocotaligo
river, where the 55th lost 29 killed and wounded. The regiment was then
stationed for more than a year at Beaufort, S. C, doing picket duty at
Port Royal ferry and garrisoning the fortifications. On Jan. 1, 1864,
most of the men reenlisted for another three years and departed for
Harrisburg on the 22nd for 30 days' veteran furlough. While at home the
regiment was recruited to 1,250 effective men. It returned to South
Carolina on March 23 and in April embarked for Virginia, where it was
assigned to the 3d brigade (Col. White), 3d division (Gen. Ames), 10th
corps (Gen. Gillmore), Army of the James. It moved with the corps to
Bermuda Hundred and was engaged for a time in the work of fortifying the
head of the peninsula between the James and Appomattox rivers. It shared
in the engagements at Swift creek and Proctor's creek, with a loss of 15
commissioned officers and 300 enlisted men. Col. White, Lieut.-Col.
Bennett and Adj. Metzger being among the prisoners. It was soon
afterward sent with a heavy force under Gen. W. F. Smith to the support
of the Army of the Potomac, and was assigned to the 1st brigade (Gen.
Stannard), 2nd division (Gen. Martindale), 18th corps. It engaged the
enemy at Cold Harbor with a loss of 4 officers and 134 enlisted men. On
June 12 it marched back to White House, whence it proceeded by transport
to Point of Rocks on the Appomattox, and on the 15th shared in the
assault on the works in front of Petersburg. The 55th was again active
on the 16th and in a desperate charge on the 18th lost 3 officers and 80
enlisted men in less than 10 minutes. It was in reserve when the mine
was exploded and then shared for two months in the work of the siege,
meeting daily with some loss. It met with heavy loss at New Market
heights in September — 3 officers and 78 men out of 5 officers and 150
men engaged. In November, the tattered colors of the regiment were
exchanged for a new stand, the old one being deposited in the capitol.
In December, the 55th was assigned to the 4th brigade, 1st division,
24th corps, with which it was engaged at Signal hill, and the following
March proceeded to Hatcher's run, skirmishing and sharing in the charge
on Forts Gregg and Baldwin on April 2. After the evacuation of
Petersburg it went by forced march to Burkesville Junction and Rice's
station to cut off the enemy's retreat and reached Appomattox Court
House on the 9th, in advance of Lee's columns. After the surrender the
55th did guard duty at Richmond until the end of July, when it reported
to Gen. Hartsuff at Petersburg. It served by detachments in Virginia,
under orders from the Freedman's Bureau, until Aug, 30, 1865, when it
was mustered out of service at Petersburg, the men being finally paid
and discharged at Harrisburg, Pa. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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