53rd Infantry Regiment
Mustered in: August 27 to November 15, 1861
Mustered out: March 21, 1862
The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
First Organization
D'Epineuil Zouaves
Colonel Lionel J. D'Epineuil received, August 2, 1861, authority from the War Department to recruit a regiment of infantry. This regiment received its numerical designation from the State, and was organized in New York City, October 12, 1861. It was recruited in that city, but received many men from other parts of the State. Its members were mostly Frenchmen, but one company was formed of Indians from the Tuscarora Reservation. It was mustered in the United States service for three years between August 27 and November 15, 1861 at New York city.
The regiment left the State November 15, 1861; served at and near Washington, D. C., and Annapolis, Md., from november 20, 1861; in Burnside's Expeditionary corps, from January 3, 1862; at Fort Monroe, Va., Annapolis, Md., Suffolk, Va., and finally Washington, D. C. from January 26, 1862; Company A was transferred to the 17th Infantry, as Company G, March 8, 1862; and the regiment honorably discharged and mustered out March 21, 1862, at Washington, D. C.
Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Antione Vignier de Monteil and a few enlisted men served with the 9th Infantry in the action at Roanoke Island, N. C. February 8, 1862; and the regiment lost, killed in action, 1 officer; of wounds received in action, on detached service, 2 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 7 enlisted men; total 1 officer, 9 enlisted men; aggregate, 10; of whom 3 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.
Second Organization
Vosburgh Chasseurs; Fifth Regiment; Eagle Brigade
Major George A. buckingham, 71st N.Y. State Militia, received authority to enroll a regiment of infantry, which received the above numerical designation, and of which he was to be appointed Colonel, August 2, 1862. This organization was discontinued by the State authorities September 10, 1862 and the incomplete companies transferred, A, B, C, E, F, G, H and I (250 men) to the 132d and D and K to the 162d Infantry.
The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II.
Fifty-third Infantry.—Col., Lionel J. D'Epineuil; Lieut.-Cols., J. A. Viginer de Manteil, George F. Chester. Maj., John Baptiste Cantel. The 53d, the "D'Epineuil Zouaves," was organized in New York city, but contained members, mainly of French origin, from all parts of the state and one company of Indians from the Tusca-rora reservation. It was mustered into the U. S. service at New York Aug. 27 to Nov. 15, 1861, for three years and left for Washington on the 18th. Stationed at Annapolis, the regiment was attached in Jan., 1862, to Burnside's expeditionary corps and a detachment of the command was active in the battle of Roanoke island. In March the regiment was discontinued, Co. A became Co. G of the 17th N. Y. infantry and the remainder of the regiment was mustered out at Washington, March 21, 1862. It lost during service 3 by death from wounds and 7 by death from other causes. Authority to organize another 53d regiment was issued and Maj. A. Buckingham was placed in command, but in Sept., 1862, the recruits enlisted for the regiment were transferred to the 132nd and l62nd N. Y. infantry.