The 53rd Ohio Infantry Regiment was organized at Jackson, Ohio, beginning September 3, 1861, and mustered in February 11, 1862, for three years' service under the command of Colonel J. J. Appler.

The regiment was attached to District of Paducah, Kentucky, to March 1862.

3rd Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Tennessee, to November 1862.

3rd Brigade, 5th Division, Right Wing, XIII Corps, Department of the Tennessee, November 1862.

2nd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Memphis, XIII Corps, to December 1862.

The 53rd Ohio Infantry mustered out of service at Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 11, 1865.

Expedition to Yellow Creek, Miss., and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 14–17.

March to Memphis, Tenn., via Moscow, Lafayette, Grand Junction and Holly Springs, June 1-July 21.

Operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad to the Yockna River November 1862 to January 1863.

Moved to LaGrange, Tenn., January 1863, and duty there until June.

Moved to Memphis, thence to Young's Point, La., June 9–12.

Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 20–29.

Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5.

Operations about Marietta and against Kennesaw Mountain June 10-July 2.

Cannon's Bridge, South Edisto River, February 8.

Moved to Louisville, Ky., June, thence to Little Rock, Ark., and duty there until August.