53rd US Colored Infantry

The 53rd U.S. Colored Infantry, also known as the 53rd Mississippi Colored Volunteers Infantry, was organized from the 3rd Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) on March 11, 1864 for three-year service under the command of Colonel Orlando Charles Risdon.

The regiment was attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Mississippi, to October 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, XVI Corps, to November 1864. Department of Arkansas to February 1865. District of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Department of Mississippi to March 1866. The 53rd U.S. Colored Infantry mustered out of service March 8, 1866.

OVERVIEW: Organized March 11, 1864, from 3rd Mississippi Infantry (African Descent). Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to October, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Corps, to November, 1864. Dept. of Arkansas to February, 1865. District of Vicksburg, Miss., and Dept. of Mississippi to March, 1866.

SERVICE: Post and garrison duty at Haynes Bluff, District of Vicksburg, Miss., till October, 1864. Expedition to Grand Gulf March 12-14. Action at Grand Gulf July 16. Moved to St. Charles, Ark., on White River October, 1864, and duty there till February, 1865. Action on White River, near St. Charles, October 22, 1864. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., February, 1865, and duty there; at Macon, Meridian and other points in the Dept. of Mississippi till March, 1866. Mustered out March 8, 1866.

Predecessor unit: MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEERS. 3rd REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Warrenton, Miss., May 19, 1863. Attached to African Brigade, District of Northeast Louisiana, to July, 1863. Post Goodrich Landing, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, U.S. Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to March, 1864.

SERVICE: Duty at Milliken's Bend and Goodrich Landing till March, 1864. Haines' Bluff February 3, 1864. Designation of Regiment changed to 53rd U.S. Colored Troops, March 11, 1864.

Resources:

• Battle Unit Details, NPS

• Regimental and Company Books of the 53rd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment

• Documents of 53rd United States Colored Troops, inventory and inspection report, invoice of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, 1865. Library of Congress.

• Civil War Diary of Lt. Gideon M. Miles, 53rd U.S. Colored Infantry, Cowan's Auction.

• Approved Pension Files For Men In this Regiment:

  • Approved Pension File for Sylva Tyler, Widow of Private Moses Tyler, Company C, 53rd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (WC-556891)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Catharine Fletcher Payton, Widow of Jared Payton, Company G, 53rd USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC120433)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Matilda Harris Dolbert, Widow of William Dolbert, Company B, 53rd USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC117037)