54th United States Colored Infantry Regiment: Difference between revisions
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==Organization== |
==Organization== |
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The regiment was organized at large in Arkansas on September 4, 1863 as the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) and assigned to the [[VII Corps (Union Army)]]. On March 11, 1864, the designation of Regiment changed to 54th U. S. Colored Troops.<ref name="The Civil War Archive">The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Arkansas, Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unartr.htm#4thinfad</ref> |
The regiment was organized at large in Arkansas on September 4, 1863 as the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) and assigned to the [[VII Corps (Union Army)]]. The regiment was raised under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George W. De Costa and Major George W. Burchard and was composed primarily of freed slaves in the Arkansas River Valley.<ref name="Encyclopedia">The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, Second Arkansas Infantry (African Descent), Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=6436</ref> On March 11, 1864, the designation of Regiment changed to 54th U. S. Colored Troops.<ref name="The Civil War Archive">The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Arkansas, Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unartr.htm#4thinfad</ref> |
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==Service== |
==Service== |
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The regiment was assigned duty at Helena, Ark., from formation until May, 1864. Before being mustered into service, |
The regiment was assigned duty at Helena, Ark., from formation until May, 1864. Before being mustered into service, the regiment participated in the [[Battle of Helena]] on July 4, 1863.<ref name="UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS">{{US government|sourceURL=[http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-regiments-detail.htm?regiment_id=UUS0054RI00C Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System], ''National Park Service''}}</ref> |
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The unit was next ordered to Fort Gibson in Indian Territory and worked on improving the fort's earthwork defenses.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> The regiment was engaged in the [[Second Battle of Cabin Creek]] on September 19, 1864. Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier Generals [[Richard Montgomery Gano]] and [[Stand Watie]] surprised a Federal supply convoy under the protection of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry. Confederate forces seized approximately 130 wagons of the 300-wagon supply train near the Cabin Creek stockade. The 54th was among reinforcements under Colonel James M. Williams of the Frontier Division 2nd Brigade, which marched from Fort Gibson to recapture the lost convoy wagons. The Federal infantry engaged the Confederates at Pryor’s Creek, but the Confederates were able to escape with the supplies under cover of darkness. The battle is remembered as the last major engagement of the Civil War in Indian Territory, and it is estimated that more than $1.5 million in supplies were lost.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> |
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Following the Confederate victory at Cabin Creek, the 54th was ordered north to escort refugee and supply trains moving into Kansas from Arkansas. Confederate guerrillas raided several wagon trains along Cow Creek in November of 1864, capturing supplies and routing Kansas cavalry detachments. With the skirmishes proving a hindrance to Union supplies in the west, the 54th was ordered to patrol Cow Creek from November 14 through November 28, staving off Rebel skirmishers and ensuring the safe arrival of convoys bound for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> |
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The 54thwas next moved south to guard against raiders along the Arkansas River. On December 18, the 54th engaged Rebel skirmishers along the Arkansas River and drove them from the area. The regiment would again see action along the Arkansas River on January 18, 1865, once more successfully driving Rebel forces from the banks of the river. As the war drew toward a close, the 54th continued to search for Confederate raiders, engaging one of the last remaining bands of guerrillas at the Saline River in a series of running skirmishes in the spring of 1865.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> |
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At the surrender of the Confederate in the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865, the 54thwas stationed in Little Rock as part of a garrison force to oversee the end of guerrilla fighting and to aid in reconstruction. The regiment continued regular duty in the Little Rock area through 1866.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> |
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* Fort Gibson September 16, 1864. |
* Fort Gibson September 16, 1864. |
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* Cabin Creek September 19, 1864. |
* Cabin Creek September 19, 1864. |
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* Cow Creek, Kansas, November 14 and 28, 1864. |
* Cow Creek, Kansas, November 14 and 28, 1864. |
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The Regiment was ordered to ordered to Little Rock January, 1865 and engage in the Action on Arkansas River January 18.<ref name="UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS"/> |
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The Regiment was performed duty at Little Rock and at various points in Dept. of Arkansas until December, 1866..<ref name="The Civil War Archive">The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Arkansas, Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unartr.htm#4thinfad</ref> |
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== Mustered out of service == |
== Mustered out of service == |
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Mustered out of Federal Service by companies between August 8 and December 31, 1866.<ref name="UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS"/> |
Mustered out of Federal Service by companies between August 8 and December 31, 1866.<ref name="UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS"/><ref name="The Civil War Archive">The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Arkansas, Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unartr.htm#4thinfad</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* Burton, Arthur T. Black, Buckskin, and Blue: African-American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier. New York: Eakin Press, 1999. |
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* Chaplain Asa B. Randall Civil War Report. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock, Arkansas. |
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* Glatthaar, Joseph T. Forged in Battle: The Civil War Alliance of Black Soldiers and White Officers. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2000. |
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* Jefferson Robinson Civil War Diary. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock, Arkansas. |
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* Wilson, Joseph T. The Black Phalanx: African American Soldiers in the War of Independence, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. New York: De Capo Press, 1994. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 03:41, 5 September 2013
| 54th U.S. Colored Infantry | |
|---|---|
.svg) Flag of the United States, 1863-1865 | |
| Active | September 4, 1863 to December 31, 1866 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Nickname(s) | 2nd Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lieutenant Colonel George W. De Costa[1] |
The 54th United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.
Organization
The regiment was organized at large in Arkansas on September 4, 1863 as the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) and assigned to the VII Corps (Union Army). The regiment was raised under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George W. De Costa and Major George W. Burchard and was composed primarily of freed slaves in the Arkansas River Valley.[1] On March 11, 1864, the designation of Regiment changed to 54th U. S. Colored Troops.[2]
Service
The regiment was assigned duty at Helena, Ark., from formation until May, 1864. Before being mustered into service, the regiment participated in the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863.[3]
The unit was next ordered to Fort Gibson in Indian Territory and worked on improving the fort's earthwork defenses.[1] The regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of Cabin Creek on September 19, 1864. Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier Generals Richard Montgomery Gano and Stand Watie surprised a Federal supply convoy under the protection of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry. Confederate forces seized approximately 130 wagons of the 300-wagon supply train near the Cabin Creek stockade. The 54th was among reinforcements under Colonel James M. Williams of the Frontier Division 2nd Brigade, which marched from Fort Gibson to recapture the lost convoy wagons. The Federal infantry engaged the Confederates at Pryor’s Creek, but the Confederates were able to escape with the supplies under cover of darkness. The battle is remembered as the last major engagement of the Civil War in Indian Territory, and it is estimated that more than $1.5 million in supplies were lost.[1]
Following the Confederate victory at Cabin Creek, the 54th was ordered north to escort refugee and supply trains moving into Kansas from Arkansas. Confederate guerrillas raided several wagon trains along Cow Creek in November of 1864, capturing supplies and routing Kansas cavalry detachments. With the skirmishes proving a hindrance to Union supplies in the west, the 54th was ordered to patrol Cow Creek from November 14 through November 28, staving off Rebel skirmishers and ensuring the safe arrival of convoys bound for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.[1]
The 54thwas next moved south to guard against raiders along the Arkansas River. On December 18, the 54th engaged Rebel skirmishers along the Arkansas River and drove them from the area. The regiment would again see action along the Arkansas River on January 18, 1865, once more successfully driving Rebel forces from the banks of the river. As the war drew toward a close, the 54th continued to search for Confederate raiders, engaging one of the last remaining bands of guerrillas at the Saline River in a series of running skirmishes in the spring of 1865.[1]
At the surrender of the Confederate in the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865, the 54thwas stationed in Little Rock as part of a garrison force to oversee the end of guerrilla fighting and to aid in reconstruction. The regiment continued regular duty in the Little Rock area through 1866.[1]
The Regiment participated in the following actions:[3]
- Fort Gibson September 16, 1864.
- Cabin Creek September 19, 1864.
- Cow Creek, Kansas, November 14 and 28, 1864.
Mustered out of service
Mustered out of Federal Service by companies between August 8 and December 31, 1866.[3][2]
See also
- Book:Arkansas Civil War Union units
- List of United States Colored Troops Civil War Units
- United States Colored Troops
- Lists of American Civil War Regiments by State
- Arkansas in the American Civil War
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, Second Arkansas Infantry (African Descent), Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=6436
- ^ a b The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Arkansas, Accessed 3 September 2013, http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unartr.htm#4thinfad
- ^ a b c
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service
References
- Burton, Arthur T. Black, Buckskin, and Blue: African-American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier. New York: Eakin Press, 1999.
- Chaplain Asa B. Randall Civil War Report. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Glatthaar, Joseph T. Forged in Battle: The Civil War Alliance of Black Soldiers and White Officers. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2000.
- Jefferson Robinson Civil War Diary. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Wilson, Joseph T. The Black Phalanx: African American Soldiers in the War of Independence, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. New York: De Capo Press, 1994.
External links
- The Civil War Archive
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History
- Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Home Page
- The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- The Arkansas History Commission, State Archives, Civil War in Arkansas
- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service