The 54th Alabama Infantry Regiment (formerly the 50th Alabama Infantry Regiment) was organized from six Alabama companies ("B", "C", "D", "E", "F", and "I") of the 1st Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee Regiment of Col. Alpheus Baker, and four Alabama companies ("A", "E", "H", and "K") of the 40th Tennessee Regiment of Col. L. M. Walker. These companies had all been captured at Island No. 10, after nearly a year's arduous service above Memphis. Organized at Jackson, MS, in October, 1862, under Paragraph XXIX, Special Order 59, dated at Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862, the 54th operated in the vicinity of Vicksburg during the winter. It fought at Ft. Pemberton with light loss and at Baker's Creek with similar results. Having escaped Vicksburg by moving with Gen'l William W. Loring from Baker's Creek, the 54th was soon after at the siege of Jackson (July 63). It was then transferred to the army of Gen'l Braxton Bragg. The regiment wintered (1863-64) at Dalton, GA, and was engaged in the campaign from there to Atlanta. The regiment lost severely at Resaca (14-15 May 64) and at Atlanta (22 July 64). The loss was very heavy at Atlanta (28 July 64), with more than half the regiment being killed or wounded. The regimental flag was perforated by 40 bullets. The 54th moved with Gen'l John Bell Hood into middle Tennessee and shared in the privations and disasters of that campaign. Transferred to North Carolina, it fought at Bentonville, its last battle. It was consolidated with the 37th and 42nd Infantry to form the 37th Regiment (Consolidated) on or about 9 April 1865. Only a remnant remained to surrender with the forces of Gen'l Joseph E. Johnston.
Field and staff officers: Cols. Alpheus Baker (Barbour County, captured, Island No. 10; wounded, Baker's Creek; promoted, Brig. Gen'l); John A Minter. Lt. Cols. John A. Minter (Coffee County, captured at Island No. 10; promoted, Col.); Thaddeus H. Shackelford (from Mississippi, captured, Island No. 10; promoted, Lt. Col.); Philip Allen Sapp, A. C. S.; Porter J. Bibb, jr., A. Q. M.; Horace M. Smith, Adj.; William A. Martin, Surgeon; Frederic Villeret, Ass't Surgeon (resigned); William B. D. F. Palley, Chaplain; James F. Flynn, Ensign; B. B. Thornton, Adj. (resigned).
Captains (and the counties from which companies came):
[became Co. "A", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[Became Co. "B", 54th Alabama Infantry by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[organized as Co. "B", 1st AL, TN, and MS Infantry (Fourth Confederate Infantry). Became Co. "C", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[organized as Chuckatoochee Riflemen, then as Co. "E", 1st AL, TN, and MS Infantry (Fourth Confederate Infantry). Became Co. "D", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[organized as Co. "D", 1st AL, Tn, and MS Infantry (Fourth Confederate Infantry). Became Co. "E", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[organized as Andy Moore's Guards, Independent Company, AL Infantry; Organized as Co. "F", 1st AL, TN, and MS Infantry (Fourth Confederate Infantry). Became Co. "F", 54th Alabama Infantry by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862. This company was assigned as 1st Co. "K", 24th AL Infantry, having been assigned by Special Orders 256, dated 5 December 1861. Having been assigned to the 1st AL, TN, and MS Infantry prior to receipt of Special Orders 256, it was annulled by Special Orders 18, dated 23 January 1862]
[organized as Rush's Company, Alabama Infantry. Organized as Co. "C", 1st AL, Tn, and MS Infantry. Became Co. "G", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[organized as Co. "I", 1st AL, TN, and MS Infantry. Became Co. "H", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[became Co. "I", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
[became Co. "K", 54th Alabama Infantry, by Special Orders 59, dated Jackson, MS, 29 September 1862]
