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53rd
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
53rd
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-third Infantry.— Cols., John R. Brooke, S.
Octavius Bull, William M. Mintzer; Lieut. -Cols., Richards McMichael, S.
Octavius Bull, William M. Mintzer, George C. Anderson; Majs., Thomas
Yeager, S. Octavius Bull, Henry S. Dimm, William M. Mintzer, Philip H.
Schreyer, George C. Anderson, George D. Pifer. This regiment was
organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Nov. 7, 1861. It was recruited
from the counties of Chester, Montgomery, Blair, Huntingdon,
Northumberland, Juniata and Westmoreland. Col. Brooke had served as
captain in the 4th Pa. infantry in the three months' troops. The
regiment left for Washington immediately upon its organization and was
employed in drill and routine duties until the opening of the spring
campaign in March, 1862. It was then assigned to the 3d brigade
comprising the 2nd Del., 53d Pa., 52nd, 57th and 66th N. Y. infantry and
Battery B, 1st N. Y. artillery, commanded by Brig.-Gen. William H.
French, 1st division, Maj.-Gen. Israel B. Richardson, 2nd corps,
Maj.-Gen. E. V. Sumner. It participated in the Peninsular campaign with
McClellan's army; was in the reserve division during the siege of
Yorktown ; active at Fair Oaks, losing 96 killed, wounded and missing,
and winning commendation for its conduct; was under fire at Gaines'
mill; suffered slight loss at the Peach Orchard, where it was
complimented by Gen. Sumner; present, but not active at Savage Station
and White Oak swamp; and was under fire at Malvern hill, though not
active. Returning to Harrison's landing, it encamped until late in
August, moving on the 30th toward Centerville, where it arrived after
Pope had fought the second Bull Run battle, and acted as rear-guard
during the retreat of the Union army to Tennallytown. On Sept. 11, Gen.
French was assigned to command a division and was succeeded by Col.
Brooke. The regiment engaged in the Maryland campaign, being in reserve
at South mountain and in the hottest of the fight at Antietam, where its
loss was 28. After the battle it was engaged for two days in the work of
interring the dead. It encamped at Bolivar heights until Oct. 30;
skirmished at Snicker's gap; moved with the army to Warrenton; and
finally arrived at Falmouth, where it served as provost guard until Dec.
11. It went into battle at Fredericksburg 283 strong and lost in killed
and wounded 158, among whom were 9 commissioned officers. The 53d now
returned to Falmouth, where it remained until Feb. 1, 1863, Maj. Bull
being here assigned to staff duty at headquarters and serving
successively with Gens. Couch, Hancock, Hays, Warren and Hancock until
May 18, 1864. Late in April, 1863, it moved on the Chancellorsville
campaign and afterwards returned to Falmouth. Attached to the 4th
brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, it was active on the second day of the
battle of Gettysburg. Three companies were absent on detached service
and the command entered the battle with only 124 men, of whom 6 were
killed, 67 wounded and 6 missing. The remnant of the regiment engaged in
the pursuit, marching to Jones' cross-roads, and after the enemy retired
into Virginia, returned to Morrisville. It engaged in the subsequent
arduous campaigns of the year, ending with that of Mine Run, being
engaged at Rappahannock and Bristoe Stations. It went into winter
quarters at Stevensburg, reenlisted there in December for another three
years, and on the 27th proceeded to Harrisburg on veteran furlough.
Returning to its old quarters at Stevensburg, on the expiration of the
furlough, it started on the Wilderness campaign. It was engaged without
serious loss at the Battle of the Wilderness; met with loss at the Po
river engagement ; and suffered severely in the charge of the veteran
2nd corps at Spottsylvania. Soon after this Col. Brooke was promoted to
brigadier-general, Maj. Bull to lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Dimm to
major. When Lieut.-Col. Bull was mustered out on the expiration of his
term, Nov. 1, 1864, Capt. Mintzer was made major. The 53d crossed the
Pamunkey on May 25, proceeded thence to Totopotomoy creek, and arrived
at Cold Harbor on June 2. It was active here the next day, making
several gallant charges and suffering severely. Gen. Brooke, commanding
the brigade, and Capt. Dimm and Lieut. Pifer were among the wounded. It
arrived in front of Petersburg on June 16 and assaulted the enemy's
works, losing about 70 men in a gallant charge. For several weeks the
command was engaged in constructing defensive works and in promiscuous
skirmishing in the neighborhood of Petersburg. It was active at Reams'
station and afterwards participated in the work of the siege of
Petersburg, being employed on the front lines. On March 28, 1865, the
regiment began its last campaign, being active at the Boydton plank
road, and at Five Forks. For his services at this time Col. Mintzer was
promoted brevet brigadier-general. The 53d assisted in the capture of
the enemy's wagon trains at Deep creek, and was at the front on the day
of Lee's surrender. It marched in the grand review at Washington and was
mustered out near Alexandria on June 30, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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