The 54th Pennsylvania Infantry in the Civil War

For the first two years of their service, the men in the 54th Pennsylvania felt forgotten. Assigned to guard the vital B&O Railroad, they received little press coverage. Many wondered if their service mattered and worried their entire war would be "fought" protecting isolated railroad bridges and depots.

Everything changed in 1864 when the 54th Pennsylvania finally marched onto the field and fought in every major battle of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The next year, the regiment joined the Army of the James for the Siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign. With extensive use of primary sources including the men's letters and diaries, this book recounts the 54th Pennsylvania's considerable contributions to the war.