A year's research went into the planning of the 54th OVI impression. As the 91st Ohio was not involved in the Battle of Shiloh, a unique impression was sought for those who wanted to participate in the 135th anniversary of that battle. Soon a small group of the 91st and pards from the 30th OVI, also interested in the Zouave impression, began to make the dream a reality.
The 54th was one of the few Zouave regiments raised within the state, and included recruits from western Ohio and the Cleveland area. The individual companies came together at Camp Dennison, outside of Cincinnati, during the fall and winter of 1861. On February 18, 1862, the regiment joined General Sherman at
Paducah KY, and on February 21 was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, along with the 71st Ohio and the 55th Illinois, also of Sherman's division. The unit's uniform quickly gained Sherman's notice, as well. The regiment made quite a sight as it was presented in their red-trimmed shell jackets, blue pleated trousers with red stripes, and short gaiters. The item that probably gained the most looks, however, was the gray slouch hat, buttoned at the sides to create a four-cornered effect, and having a large red tassel protruding from the top center of the crown. Sherman was known to have remarked on several occasions of his disapproval of their attire.
The regiment saw some action in those early days, but it was at the Battle of Shiloh, that it would be noticed. The 2nd Brigade was detached from Sherman's division, and assigned to Hurlburt's division, on the extreme Union left. The Confederates attacked before dawn on the morning of April 6, 1862, catching many of the Union troops just in the process of cooking breakfast. Needless to say, the Army of the Ohio was not expecting an attack. To make matters worse, four companies of the 54th had been detached the day before to stand picket duty beyond the left of the line. When the battle began the 71st Ohio broke, leaving only the 55th Illinois, and a portion of the 54th Ohio. In aggregate, there were approximately 800 men. Without artillery to speak of, or any other support, these men held off nearly 4600 men of the Rebel right wing for almost 8 hours, until their ammunition was gone.
The 54th stayed with Sherman for the duration of the war. While little is known about them (the regiment never appointed a historian, and it's records keeping was very shoddy), most accounts come from the 55th Illinois. Many of the 55th Illinois after action reports give glowing accounts of the 54th's conduct in battle.
The Zouave uniforms are occasionaly dusted off when a unique impression is called for or for ceremony, when the distinctive uniform truly stands out. The 54th Ohio has provided color guards at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, the Canal Winchester Labor Day parade, and also done living history at the Sherman House in Lancaster Ohio.
For more information on the 54th OVI visit the website at 54th OVI
Coming soon........A history of, and our involvement with
the 2nd Kentucky Infantry
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