• Company A: Cambria County – Captain James Carroll
• Company B: Robesonia, Berks County – Captain John C. Shearer
• Company C: Johnstown, Cambria County – Captain Michael O’Connell
• Company D: Bedford County – Captain Thomas H. Lyons
• Company E: Minersville, Schuylkill County – Captain Horace C. Bennett
• Company F: Indiana County – Captain James S. Nesbit
• Company G: Harrisburg, Dauphin County – Captain Isaac S. Waterbury
• Company H: Bedford County – Captain George S. Mullin
• Company I: Blair County and Bedford County – Captain David W. Madara
• Company K: Bedford County – Captain Joseph Filler

Sherman’s South Carolina Expedition

Moved to Port Royal, S. C.

Simmonds Bluff

Captain George S. Mullin of Company H was discharged on a surgeon’s certificate.

Expedition up Broad River to Pocotaligo

Caston’s and Frampton’s Plantations, Pocotaligo

The expedition of some 4,000 men to destroy the Charleston and Savannah Railroad pushed up the Broad River. They Confederate defenders were driven back until they took up defenses behind the Pocotaligo River and burned the bridge. After six hours of fighting the expedition had exhausted its ammunition and withdrew in the night back to Hilton Head. The 55th lost 29 casualties. Captain Horace C. Bennett of Company E and Second Lieutenant William L. Martin of Company K were killed.

Butler’s operations on south side of the James

Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division. 18th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.

Swift Creek or Arrowfield Church

Destroyed two miles of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad.

Battle of Drewry’s Bluff

The regiment was on the left flank of the force when Confederates launched a heavy on the 16th. Outflanked and in danger of being surrounded, Colonel White led a desperate counterattack with Companies C, D & E. But it failed and the 55th was forced to withdraw. Fifteen officers and 300  enlisted men became casualties. Colonel Richard White, Lieutenant Colonel Frank T. Bennett, and Adjutant John Gotshall were captured. Second Lieutenant John H. Barnhart of company D was killed. Captain John C. Shearer of Company B took over the regiment as senior officer.

Battle of Cold Harbor

On the 1st the regiment carried a line of rifle pits and took a number of prisoners.

The regiment was the third regiment in column for the great attack on the 3rd. The first two regiment were swept back by the enemy’s intense fire, and the 55th was caught up in the confusion. Captain John C. Shearer of Company B , still in command of the regiment, was wounded. Captain James S. Nesbit barely had time to assume command when he was wounded. Captain George H. Hill of Company E took over and restored order.

the regiment dug in overnight and held its position until the army withdrew on the 12th.

Captain Solomon S. Metzger of Company D was wounded, and would be discharged on a surgeon’s certificate.

Grant’s First Assault on Petersburg

The regiment captures 18 guns and over 400 prisoners on the first day of the assault. On the second day they were deployed as skirmishers, losing heavily.

Siege of Petersburg Begins

The 55th assaulted across an open field swept by Confederate fire, losing 3 officers and 80 enlisted men in ten minutes, more than half the regiment’s strength. First Sergeant James B. Ayres of company B was killed.

Mine Explosion (Battle of the Crater)

The regiment was un reserve and not engaged.

Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights

In the late afternoon of the 29th the 55th Pennsylvania launched a charge against a Confederate redoubt across a quarter mile of open ground. Its supports on both flanks failed to come up, but iIt made it to within 20 yards of the redoubt before it was forced to fall back. Five officers and 155 enlisted men had begun the charge; 3 officers and 78 enlisted men became casualties.

Captain John O’Neil of Company I was mortally wounded.   First Lieutenant Blaney Adair had been promoted to Captain of Company F on the 28th but was killed during the charge on the 29th.

Signal Hill

Longstreet launched an attack on the position, which was “easily repulsed.”

Appomattox Campaign

Hatcher’s and Gravelly Runs

Two enlisted men were killed, and one officer and 17 enlisted men were wounded.

Fall of Petersburg – Capture of Forts Gregg and Baldwin

The 55th was the first regiment to move into Fort Baldwin. One officer was killed, Captain Hezekiah Hammer was wounded, losing his arm, and four enlisted men were wounded.

Rice’s Station

The regiment was part of Ord’s command, who cut off Lee’s retreat to Danville, forcing them to head towards Lynchburg. Second Lieutenant Daniel A. Hess was mortally wounded.

Appomattox Court House

The regiment made a march of 42 miles, reaching Appomattox Cort House early in the morening. Surrender of Lee and his army.