54th Indiana Infantry Regiment

54th Indiana Infantry

Flag of the United States, 1863-1865
Active October 28, 1862 - December 8, 1863
Country United States of America
Allegiance Union Army
Branch Army
Type Infantry
Engagements Arkansas Post, AR
Big Black River, Mississippi
Bolton's Depot, Mississippi
Bovina Station, Mississippi
Champion Hill, Mississippi
Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi
Clinton, Mississippi
Edward's Depot, Mississippi
Grand Gulf, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Port Gibson, Mississippi
Raymond, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		 Fielding Mansfield

The 54th Indiana Infantry, an American Civil War regiment, was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 28, 1862, with Fielding Mansfield as colonel, and it was made up mostly of volunteers from all over the state. In December, the regiment left for Memphis, Tennessee.

The one-year regiment was organized into 10 companies of infantry and a Field and Staff entity in the fall of 1862. One company mustered into service on October 28, five on October 30, and two each on November 8 and 16, 1862. Like most regiments organized in Indiana at that time, there was a three-month regiment that preceded it; however, while most of the three-month regiments later formed into three-year regiments, the 54th Indiana became a one-year regiment. Several regiments organized immediately before and after the 54th Indiana became three-year organizations.

One year's service was not the only unique attribute of the 54th Indiana. The men in the regiment did not muster out in the same companies that they mustered into (Indiana Adjutant General's Report, Volume 8, vice Volume 7 when mustered in).

Company B mustered out as Company H
Company C mustered out as Company D
Company D mustered out as Company C
Company E mustered out as Company B
Company G mustered out as Company E
Company H mustered out as Company I
Company I mustered out as Company G

Companies A, F and K mustered out in the same company they mustered into.

Organization

The other company officers were First Lieutenant Absolom Thomas and Second Lieutenant James Lochridge.

January 2–8 retreated from Chickasaw Bluffs on the night of January 2 and went aboard boats. Sailed up the river; landed at the mouth of White River January 8. January 9 sailed up White River. Took the cut-off across the Arkansas River. Landed on the same evening at Fletcher's Farm. January 10–11 sailed up the river about three miles; landed and marched towards [Arkansas] Post and encamped for the night. Fighting was resumed early the next morning in front. Ordered forward aboard about 3 o'clock, when Rebels surrendered. January 18–20 encamped at the post until January 18, when they got on the boats and sailed down the river and landed at Young's Point on the evening of January 20. January 22 went into camp at Blake's Plantation, where they remained until March.

Stationed in the field, March–April 1863 March 7–8 struck tents at Young's Point; embarked on steamer same evening. Landed at Miliken's Bend early the next morning. Disembarked and went into camp. April 5–20 remained until April 5, when they marched south to Raymond and marched at intervals. Stationed at Richmond, Louisiana, April 10, 1863; moved south, and reached Perkins' Plantation April 20. April 28–29 embarked on boats April 28; reached Grand Gulf the same day. Disembarked April 29. Marched around the Gulf. April 30 embarked on boats and landed the same day at Bruinsburg Landing. Started same evening for Port Gibson.

Stationed, but not engaged at Big Black River, Mississippi, May–June 1863, Engaged at Jackson, Mississippi, July 10–14, 1863. Stationed at Carrollton, Louisiana, July - August 1863, and Brashear City, Louisiana, September–October 1863.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant Paris Julian and Second Lieutenant Rufus C. Carpenter.

Stationed at Young's Point, Louisiana, January–February 1863. Ran up the Mississippi River to the mouth of White River, then up White River to the Pass into the Arkansas River, then up said river within ten miles of Arkansas Post. Landed and was on the reserve in the fight that captured the Rebel forces in that Fort. Went aboard boats; ran down Arkansas River to Napoleon at the mouth of said river on the Mississippi River. January 17–23 Landed, then went down to Young's Point, Louisiana. Landed and went into camp January 23.

Stationed in the field, March–April 1863. Stationed at Richmond, Louisiana, April 10, 1863. Stationed in the field, Big Black River, Mississippi, May–June 1863. Stationed at Carrollton, Louisiana, July–August 1863. Stationed at Brashear City, Louisiana, September–October 1863. Stationed at New Orleans, Louisiana, December 8, 1863.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant John A. Howard and Second Lieutenant Joseph Lugar.

Stationed at Young's Point, Louisiana, January–February 1863. January 2–8 started up the river to the White River, and up that river, crossing through the cut-off into Arkansas River, and up the Arkansas River, arriving at a point 35 miles from the mouth of the river at a place called Arkansas Post on the evening of January 8. January 9 disembarked, and marched for Arkansas Post, a distance of four miles, but was not engaged in the battle. Entered the Fort at about 4 p.m., the enemy having surrendered at 3 p.m. same day. January 16–21 left Arkansas Post on the steamer War Eagle for Vicksburg, arriving at the mouth of the Yazoo River on January 21. January 23 disembarked on the morning of January 23 and encamped on the Louisiana shore. Stationed in the field, March–April 1863. Stationed at Richmond, Louisiana, April 10, 1863. Stationed in the field, Big Black River, Mississippi, May - June 1863. Stationed at Carrollton, Louisiana, July–August 1863. Stationed at New Orleans, Louisiana, December 8, 1863.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant Eli R. Shook and Second Lieutenant Isaac B. McGogy (McGoggy).

The other company officers were First Lieutenant William Hall and Second Lieutenant William W. Massena.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant David D. Jones and Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Davis.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant Samuel P. Strahan and Second Lieutenant William P. Beeber.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant William M. Conner and Second Lieutenant Josiah Ralston.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant John W. Manzy and Second Lieutenant William M. Brooks.

The other company officers were First Lieutenant Samuel R. Fielder and Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Lawe.

References

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