54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment Volunteers (Colored)

Organized at Readville and mustered in May 13, 1863. Left Boston on Steamer "De Molay" for Hilton Head, S.C., May 28, arriving on June 3: Attached to U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to July 1863; Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, July 1863; 3rd Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., to August 1863; 4th Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., to November 1863; 3rd Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., to January 1864; Montgomery's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, S.C., to February 1864; Montgomery's Brigade, District of Florida, February 1864; 3rd Brigade, Ames' Division, District of Florida, to April 1864; Folly and Morris Islands, S.C., Northern District, Dept. South, to October 1864; 1st Separate Brigade, Dept. South, to November, 1864; 2nd Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. South, to February 1865; 1st Separate Brigade, Northern District, Dept. South, to March 1865; 1st Separate Brigade, District of Charleston, S.C., Dept. South, to June 1865; 3rd Sub-District, District of Charleston, Dept. South Carolina, to August 1865.

SERVICE.--At Thompson's Plantation near Beaufort, S.C., June 4-8, 1863; Relocated to St. Simon's Island, June 8-9; Expedition up Altamaha River, June 10-11; At St. Simon's Island, June 12-24; At St. Helena Island, June 25-July 8; To Stono Inlet, July 8; Expedition against James Island, July 9-16; Affair Legaresville on July 13, advanced to Secessionville on July 16; Relocated to Morris Island, July 16-18; Assault on Fort Wagner, July 18; Siege operations against Forts Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, July 18-September 7, and against Fort Sumter and Charleston, September 7, 1863, to January 28, 1864; Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., January 28, 1864; Expedition to Jacksonville, Fla., February 5-7; Capture of Jacksonville, February 6; Expedition to Lake City, Fla., February 7-22; Battle of Olustee, February 20; Duty at Jacksonville till April 17; Moved to Morris Island, April 17-18; Duty on Morris and Folly Islands, S. C., till November, 1864; Expedition to James Island, June 30-July 10; Actions on James Island, July 2, 9 and 10; Six Companies in charge of rebel prisoners under fire of Charleston Batteries on September 7 to October 20; Eight Companies moved to Hilton Head, November 27. (Cos. "B" and "F" at Morris Island till February, 1865.); Expedition to Boyd's Neck, S.C., November 29-30; Boyd's Landing, November 29; Battle of Honey Hill, November 30; Demonstration on Charleston Camp and Savannah Railroad, December 6-9; Moved to Graham's Neck, December 20; Connect with Sherman's Army at Pocotaligo, S.C., January 15, 1865; March to Charleston, January 15-February 23, skirmishing all the way. (Cos. "B" and "F" occupy Charleston February 18.); Regiment on duty at Charleston, February 27 to March 12; At Savannah, Ga., March 13-27; At Georgetown, S.C., March 31-April 5; Potter's Expedition to Camden, April 5-25; Seven Mile Bridge, April 6; Destruction of Eppes' Bridge, Black River, April 7; Dingle's Mills, April 9; Destruction of Rolling Stock at Wateree Junction on April 11; Singleton's Plantation, April 12; Statesburg, April 15; Occupation of Camden on April 17; Boykin's Mills, April 18; At Georgetown, April 25; Duty at Georgetown, Charleston, and various points in South Carolina, April 25 to August 17; Mustered out at Mount Pleasant, S.C., August 20, 1865. Discharged at Boston, Mass., September 1, 1865.

Regiment casualties during service: 5 Officers and 104 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 1 Officer and 160 Enlisted men by disease. Total 270.