52nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Cols., John C. Dodge, Jr., Henry M. Hoyt, J. B. Conyngham; Lieut.-Cols., Henry M. Hoyt, J. B. Conyngham, John A. Hennessy; Majs., J. B. Conyngham, Thomas B. Jayne, John A. Hennessy, George R. Lennard. On Aug. 1, 1861, John C. Dodge, Jr., formerly captain in the 11th infantry, three months' service, was authorized by Gov. Curtin to recruit this regiment. The men rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, coming principally from the counties of Luzerne, Clinton, Wyoming, Union, Bradford, and Columbia, and were mostly well formed, hardy, young men, familiar with the use of the rifle. The Wyoming cornet band of Wilkes Barre of 16 pieces, accompanied the regiment, which completed its organization on Nov. 5, 1861. On the 8th it left for Washington, where it went into camp on Kalorama heights, and in January went into winter quarters on Meridian hill, being temporarily brigaded with the 104th Pa., 56th N. Y., and 11th Me. Later the 52nd was assigned to the 1st brigade (Gen. Naglee), 3d division (Gen. Casey), 4th corps (Gen. Keyes). It left for the front on March 28, 1862, sailing to Newport News ; moved thence to Lee's mill ; shared in the siege of Yorktown ; was engaged at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, losing in the last named battle one-half of the 240 officers and men who went into action. A company of sharpshooters of 100 men from the 52nd, commanded by Capt. G. P. Davis, achieved distinction in this campaign. During the famous Seven Days' battles Gen. Naglee's brigade rendered highly important service in holding the railroad and Bottom's bridges over the Chickahominy, and the White Oak swamp bridge. Says Gen. Naglee in his report: "Thus for seven days were the men of my brigade constantly on duty. On the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th of June the safety of the army depended on our holding the railroad and Bottom's bridges, and on the 30th upon holding the bridge at White Oak swamp. Many, day and night for four days, stood to their middle in water of the Chickahominy swamp, and all impressed with the responsible duty required of them, served their country in this hour of trial, enduring the most excessive labor, fatigue and exhaustion with extraordinary endurance and cheerfulness." On Aug. 20 it arrived at Yorktown with its brigade and while here the men were trained as heavy artillerists. In December it reported to Gen. Foster, in North Carolina, and in the latter part of Jan., 1863, sailed to Port Royal, S. C. Early in April the 52nd moved up the North Edisto river to within 12 miles of Charleston, but the naval attack on the city having failed, it returned to Beaufort, then moved to Folly island and later to James island, where it engaged the enemy at Secessionville during the siege of Fort Wagner. From this time on it shared in the siege of Fort Wagner. In December a large portion of the men reenlisted and went home on veteran furlough. On their return the regiment, recruited to 1,000 strong, remained at Hilton Head, making an occasional raid into the interior. On July 3, 1864, in an assault on Fort Johnson, it lost 7 killed, 16 wounded and more than 100 captured. It remained on Morris island during the summer and fall of 1864, and performed picket duty as boat infantry in the harbor through the winter. After the evacuation of Charleston, the 52nd joined Sherman's army in its march through the Carolinas and after Johnston's surrender it served for a few weeks at Salisbury, N. C. It was finally mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., July 12, 1865. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 2931 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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