Welcome to our History Pages!  Here we have stored a collection of images and information regarding the 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and its service history in the War of the Rebellion.  Here you will find a wealth of information regarding the officers who commanded the regiment, the “Second Corps” in which it served, and snippets of insight into the lives of the young men who volunteered to serve the Union cause.

The 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was made up of volunteer soldiers from many areas of Pennsylvania, who participated in all of the major battles that took place in Virginia from 1862 until the end at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.  As hobbyists, we attempt to represent these typical Pennsylvanians who served in this unheralded regiment, based on what we know from early histories, photographs of individuals in the regiment, and their letters and diaries.  Preserving the history of this regiment is one of our missions, a small debt to pay for those who sacrificed their lives, health and well being for this country to survive.  We forever owe them and those who served on both sides in this conflict, our gratitude.

The guide at left will take you to our general History of the 53rd PVI page, the Statistics and Casualty Record based on William Fox’s work, Regimental Losses in the Civil War, a Gallery of soldiers who served in this regiment, our Resources Page with accounts gathered from numerous libraries, newspapers, and personal collections.  We also offer a link to the Roster of the Regiment taken from Samuel Bates’ History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861 to 1865, courtesy of Mr. Daniel Doyle.  Click on HOME anytime to return to the main history page.

_{(Information and literature posted on these web pages is the sole responsibility of Company C, 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Inc. and is meant for educational and informative purposes only.  Any unauthorized use of this site or its pages for purposes other than intended is prohibited.)}

_{(Illustration in top banner courtesy of Library of Congress)}

The photos below of the original 53rd PVI’s flags are courtesy of the PA Capitol Preservation Committee.

53rd Infantry, First State Color. The 53rd was organized during the fall of 1861, and was composed of men from Montgomery, Blair, Huntingdon, Centre, Clearfield, Carbon, Union, Luzerne, Potter, Northumberland, Montour, Juniata, and Westmoreland counties. The officers elected John R. Brooke to serve as Colonel. The regiment received its first state color on November 5, 1861. Sergeant Dewalt S. Fouse was the first color-bearer, color-bearer John M. Harvey was severely wounded at Antietam, and another color-bearer was killed in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg. After most of the soldiers re-enlisted during the winter of 1863-1864, the first flag was left in Harrisburg when the regiment returned to the front. Manufactured by Evans and Hassall.

53rd Infantry, Second State Color. After most of the soldiers re-enlisted during the winter of 1863-1864, the second state color was received in February 1864 after the first one was left in Harrisburg during furlough. Manufactured by Horstmann Brothers and Company (Phila, PA).

53rd Infantry, Third State Color. The regiment fought until the end of the war. Colonel William M. Mintzer ordered a third state color in May 1865, but the regiment disbanded before receiving the flag. The 53rd was mustered out of service on June 30, 1865. Manufactured by Horstmann Brothers and Company (Phila, PA).