55th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 55th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was recruited from the counties of Cambria, Berks, Schuylkill, Indiana, Dauphin, Blair, and Bedford. It mustered in at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in the autumn of 1861 and served primarily in the Department of the South and later in the Army of the James. The 55th Pennsylvania is noted for its extensive service in South Carolina and Virginia, including participation in major campaigns and enduring significant casualties.

Organization & Service

The 55th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized during the summer and autumn of 1861 and mustered into United States service for three years. Three companies (B, E, and G) were initially stationed at Camp Cameron. On November 22, 1861, the regiment, consisting of 38 officers and 757 men, departed Pennsylvania for Fortress Monroe, Virginia. After a period of drill, it embarked for Port Royal, South Carolina, arriving on December 12, 1861. The regiment guarded approaches west of Hilton Head until February 25, 1862, and then garrisoned Edisto Island by detachments until October, frequently skirmishing with Confederate forces.

In October 1862, the 55th participated in an expedition up the Broad River, engaging at Caston’s and Frampton’s plantations and at the Pocotaligo River. The regiment then spent over a year stationed at Beaufort, South Carolina, performing picket duty at Port Royal Ferry and garrisoning fortifications. On January 1, 1864, most men reenlisted as veterans and received a furlough, during which the regiment was recruited up to 1,250 effective men. Returning to South Carolina in March 1864, the regiment soon moved to Virginia, joining the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James. It participated in fortification work at Bermuda Hundred and saw action at Swift Creek and Proctor’s Creek, suffering heavy losses and the capture of several officers.

Subsequently, the 55th was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 18th Corps, and fought at Cold Harbor, again sustaining significant casualties. The regiment took part in the initial assaults on Petersburg in June 1864, including a costly charge on June 18. It was present during the siege of Petersburg, including the Battle of the Crater, and suffered further losses at New Market Heights in September. In December, the regiment was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Corps, and engaged at Signal Hill. In March 1865, it participated in operations at Hatcher’s Run and the assault on Forts Gregg and Baldwin on April 2. After the fall of Petersburg, the regiment marched to Appomattox Court House, arriving in advance of Lee’s surrender. The 55th performed guard duty in Richmond and Petersburg until mustered out on August 30, 1865, with final discharge at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Hilton Head, South Carolina (1861–1862)
• Edisto Island operations (1862)
• Engagement at Edisto Island, March 29, 1862
• Expedition up Broad River, October 1862
• Actions at Caston’s and Frampton’s Plantations, October 1862
• Engagement at Pocotaligo River, October 1862
• Beaufort and Port Royal Ferry garrison and picket duty (1862–1864)
• Bermuda Hundred Campaign, Virginia (May 1864)
• Actions at Swift Creek and Proctor’s Creek, May 1864
• Cold Harbor, June 1864
• Assaults on Petersburg, June 15–18, 1864
• Siege of Petersburg, including the Battle of the Crater (July–September 1864)
• New Market Heights, September 1864
• Signal Hill, December 1864
• Hatcher’s Run, March 1865
• Assault on Forts Gregg and Baldwin, April 2, 1865
• Appomattox Campaign, April 1865

Casualties

The 55th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses during its service. In the engagements at Swift Creek and Proctor’s Creek, the regiment lost 15 commissioned officers and 300 enlisted men, with several officers taken prisoner. At Cold Harbor, losses included 4 officers and 134 enlisted men. During the assault on Petersburg on June 18, 1864, 3 officers and 80 enlisted men were lost in under ten minutes. At New Market Heights in September 1864, 3 officers and 78 men were casualties out of 5 officers and 150 men engaged. Total losses for the regiment are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Richard White
• Colonel John H. Filler
• Lieutenant Colonel Frank T. Bennett
• Lieutenant Colonel John H. Filler
• Lieutenant Colonel James Metzger
• Major John H. Filler
• Major James Metzger
• Major John Gotshall
• Major George H. Hill

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 55th Pennsylvania 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 when known.

To view the complete roster, visit the 55th 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, annual reports for 1861–1865
• 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, Volume 1