PENNSYLVANIA 55TH INFANTRY (Three Year)

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 egiment was recruited to 1,25O effective men. It returned to South Carolina on March 23, and in April embarked for Virginia, where it was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Col. White), 3rd division (Gen. Ames), 1Oth 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 Ist 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 1O 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 15O 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.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania 55th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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