John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster Of The Georgia 54th Infantry Regiment John C Rigdon

The 54th Georgia Volunteer Infantry was organized at Savannah, Georgia on May 16 1862. Co. B and Co. K (the Satilla Rifles) were formed and became a part of the 1st Brigade, Georgia State Troops in October 1861. Co. B was originally designated as Co. K, 2nd Regiment and the Satilla Rifles were designated as Co. A, 1st Regiment. In April of 1862 both companies were mustered out of the Georgia State Troops and became part of the newly formed 54th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Members of the 4th Battalion, Sharpshooters and the 37th Regiment, Georgia Infantry were consolidated to form the 54th Infantry Regiment. The regiment served at first in the department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Prior to 1864, the regiment was often split in assignment with Colonel Way in command of 6 companies and Lieutenant Colonel (major) Rawls the other four companies. In some references the 54th Georgia Volunteer Infantry is known as Rawls' Georgia Infantry. The 54th Georgia was deployed in the coastal defense around the Savannah - Charleston area. They were involved in numerous conflicts in that area including the siege of Battery Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina. In 1864 the 54th Georgia became a part of Mercer's Brigade and was reassigned to the Army of Tennessee in Dalton Georgia as Sherman was beginning his campaign in Georgia. Companies Of The GA 54th Infantry Regiment (Company A) Lamar Infantry (Bibb County) (Company B) Appling Volunteers (Appling County) (Company C) Bartow Infantry (Emanuel County) (Company D) (Screven County) (Company E) (Berrien County) (Company F) Savannah Cadets (Chatham County) (Company G) (Muscogee County) (Company H) Russell Guards (Muscogee County) (Company I) (Effingham County) (Company K) (Appling County)