The 53rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
from
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
that served in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
. The regiment fought at
Shiloh,
Hatchie's Bridge,
Vicksburg, the
March to the Sea, the
Carolinas campaign, and
Bentonville. After the war ended, it participated in the
Grand Review of the Armies
The Grand Review of the Armies was a military procession and celebration in the national capital city of Washington, D.C., on May 23–24, 1865, following the Union victory in the American Civil War (1861–1865). Elements of the Union Army in th ...
before being mustered out of service.
Service
The 53rd Illinois Infantry was organized at
Ottawa, Illinois
Ottawa is a city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the navigable Fox River (Illinois River tributary), Fox River and Illinois River, the latter being a conduit for river barges and ...
and mustered into Federal service in January 1862.
The regiment was mustered out on July 22, 1865.
Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 8 officers and 80 enlisted men who were killed in action or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 137 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 227 fatalities.
Commanders
*
Colonel
Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...
William H.W. Cushman - resigned on September 3, 1862.
*Colonel Daniel F. Hitt - resigned on January 2, 1863.
*Colonel Seth C. Earl - killed in action on July 12, 1863.
*Colonel John W. McClanahan - mustered out with the regiment.
[http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/f&s/053-fs.htm Illinois in the Civil War website after Illinois Adjutant General's muster rolls]
See also
*
List of Illinois Civil War Units
Infantry units
In recognition of Illinois’ six regiments' service in the Mexican War, regimental numbers for infantry in the Civil War began at seven.
* 7th Illinois Infantry Regiment
* 8th Illinois Infantry Regiment
* 9th Illinois Infantr ...
*
Illinois in the American Civil War
During the American Civil War, the state of Illinois was a major source of troops for the Union Army (particularly for those armies serving in the Western Theater of the Civil War), and of military supplies, food, and clothing. Situated near ma ...
Notes
References
The Civil War Archive
Units and formations of the Union army from Illinois
1862 establishments in Illinois
Military units and formations established in 1862
Military units and formations disestablished in 1865
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