OHIO FIFTY-FOURTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Fifty-fourth Infantry. Col., Thomas Kilby Smith; Lieut.Cols., James A. Farden, Cyrus W. Fisher, Robert Williams, Israel T. Moore; Maj., George F. Kili. This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison in Oct., 1861, to serve for three years. In Feb., 1862, it went into the field with an aggregate of 850 men at Paducah Ky., and was assigned to a brigade in the division commanded by Gen. Sherman. In the two days, fighting at Shiloh it sustained a loss of 198 men, killed, wounded and missing. It then moved upon Corinth, skirmishing severely at the Russell house, and on the morning of the evacuation was among the first organized bodies of troops to enter the town. During the summer it was engaged in several short expeditions and in November moved with the army to Jackson, Miss. It was engaged in the assault on the Confederate works at Chickasaw bluffs with a loss of 20 men killed and wounded. In Jan., 1863, it ascended the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers and engaged in the assault on and capture of Arkansas Post. In May it began its march to the rear of Vicksburg, by way of Grand Gulf, and was engaged in the battles of Champion's hill and Big Black river bridge. It was engaged in the general assaults on the enemy's works in the rear of Vicksburg on May 19 and 22, losing in the two engagements 47 killed and wounded. It was continually employed in skirmishing and fatigue duty during the siege of Vicksburg, except for six days, which were consumed in a march of observation towards Jackson. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment moved with the army upon Jackson and was constantly engaged in skirmishing from July 9 to 14. In Jan., 1864, it was mustered into the service as a veteran organization, and after its furlough home entered on the Atlanta campaign. It participated in the engagement at Resaca; was in the general assault upon Kennesaw mountain losing 28 killed and wounded; was engaged in a severe skirmish at Nickajack creek, losing 13 killed and wounded, and was in the battle of Atlanta, July 22, sustaining a loss of 94 killed, wounded and missing. It lost 8 men killed and wounded at Ezra Church and during the month of August was almost continually engaged in skirmishing before the works at Atlanta. It was in a heavy skirmish at Jonesboro on Aug. 30 and in the general action at the same place the two days immediately following. It was on that wonderful march to the sea, engaged in the assault on and capture of Fort McAllister , and after a rest of several weeks moved with the army on the march through the Carolinas, participating in its last battle at Bentonville N. C. After the grand review it proceeded to Little Rock, Ark., and there performed garrison duty until Aug. 15, 1865, when it was mustered out. The aggregate strength of the regiment at musterout was 24 officers and 231 men. It marched during its term of service a distance of 3,682 miles, participated in 4 sieges, 9 severe skirmishes, 15 general engagements, and sustained a loss of 506 men in killed wounded and missing.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Ohio 54th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

Related Records