USCTVirginia

54th United States Colored Infantry

United States Colored Troops · Formed 1864-03-01 · Mustered out 1866-03-20
Raised From
Virginia
Initial Strength
980
Formed
1864-03-01
Mustered Out
1866-03-20

Service Summary

The 54th United States Colored Infantry was a United States Colored Troops regiment raised in Virginia during the American Civil War. The regiment was recruited from Virginia. It mustered into service with an initial strength of approximately 980 soldiers. The regiment was formed on March 1, 1864. It was mustered out on March 20, 1866.

Key Engagements

Battles and campaigns in which the 54th United States Colored Infantry served. Linked entries open the engagement's full record.

Distinctive Record

One of the United States Colored Troops regiments that participated in the assault on Confederate Fort Harrison at Chaffin's Farm (September 1864).

Civil War context

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was the deadliest conflict in American history, killing an estimated 620,000 to 750,000 soldiers and an unknown number of civilians. The Confederate States of America, formed by eleven seceding Southern states, faced the Union in four years of warfare across 23 states and territories. Major engagements included First and Second Bull Run, Antietam (the bloodiest single day in American history, September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863), Vicksburg (surrendered July 4, 1863), and Sherman's March through Georgia and the Carolinas (1864–1865). President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, transforming the war's stated purpose to include the abolition of slavery and enabling the enlistment of approximately 180,000 Black men in the United States Colored Troops. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The war resolved the question of secession and ended American slavery, though Reconstruction would face sustained resistance in its attempt to secure civil rights for formerly enslaved people.

Source

Regimental data from the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service (public domain). Reference: National Park Service.

Questions about this regiment

What was the 54th United States Colored Infantry?
The 54th United States Colored Infantry was a United States Colored Troops regiment raised in Virginia during the American Civil War. It was formed on March 1, 1864.
Where was the 54th United States Colored Infantry raised?
The regiment was raised in Virginia.
What battles did the 54th United States Colored Infantry fight in?
The 54th United States Colored Infantry saw action at Deep Bottom (1864), Chaffin's Farm (1864), Fair Oaks 1864 (1864).
How large was the 54th United States Colored Infantry?
The regiment mustered in with an initial strength of approximately 980 soldiers.
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