Publisher's Synopsis
The 54th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry consolidated at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, PA during August and September of 1861 following President Abraham Lincoln's second call for volunteers. Colonel Jacob M. Campbell of Johnstown, PA was commissioned to lead the regiment.
On February 26, 1862 the regiment received its colors from Governor Andrew Curtin and then headed off to war. Their first assignment was to guard a portion of the B&O Railroad between Martinsburg, VA (WV) and Cumberland, MD. They maintained this assignment until January of 1863 when the regiment was assigned to the 1st Division, 8th Corps, Department of Western Virginia. However, they saw limited action until 1864 when Major General Franz Sigel took command and went on the offensive up the Shenandoah Valley culminating in the Battle of New Market. This was followed by Major General David Hunter's offensive that attempted to bring the valley to its knees. Finally, the regiment took part in Major General Phil Sheridan's offensive that drove the Confederates out of the Shenandoah for good following the Battle of Cedar Creek.
With the valley firmly in Union hands, the regiment was transferred to the Independent Division, 24th Corps, Army of the James. There the men participated in the fighting around Petersburg, VA and finally towards Appomattox, VA until captured en masse at the Battle of High Bridge. The regiment was mustered out of service on July 15, 1865.
