1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

The 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
ActiveApril 16, 1861 – August 22, 1861[1]
October 19, 1861 – October 13, 1864
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnion
BranchInfantry
SizeRegiment
EngagementsAmerican Civil War
Commanders
ColonelJohn C. Starkweather
Lt. ColonelGeorge B. Bingham

Service

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Sketch of Col. John C. Starkweather leading the 1st Wisconsin Infantry at the Battle of Hoke's Run, July 1861.

The original 1st Regiment Wisconsin was raised at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 16, 1861, and mustered into Federal service May 17, 1861. The regiment was moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on June 9. It was assigned to Abercrombie's 6th Brigade of Negley's 2nd Division, Patterson's Army. It spent its service guarding the upper Potomac River crossings. Its only engagement was at the Hoke's Run on July 2. The regiment was mustered out on August 22, 1861.

The regiment was reorganized with new 3-year enlistees by Colonel Starkweather at Milwaukee and was mustered into federal service on October 19, 1861. The regiment was mustered out on October 13, 1864.

Total enlistments and casualties

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The 1st Wisconsin Infantry initially mustered 810 men and added no recruits. In its initial 3 months of service, it lost 2 men killed in action or mortally wounded, and one killed accidentally for a total of three fatalities, a death rate of 0.37 percent.[2] One of the fatalities was Second Sergeant of Company B, Warren M Graham, 18 years old, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[3][4]

When reorganized for 3 years of service, the regiment mustered 945 men and later recruited an additional 563 men, for a total of 1508 men.[5] The regiment suffered 6 officers and 151 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 1 officer and 142 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 300 fatalities.[6]

Commanders

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  • Colonel John C. Starkweather (April 16, 1861 – July 17, 1863) was promoted to brigadier general.
  • Lt. Colonel George B. Bingham (December 18, 1863 – October 13, 1864) began the war as captain of Co. A, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, and was promoted to major when the regiment was re-established. He was designated for promotion to colonel, but was never mustered at that rank. He mustered out with the regiment in October 1864.

Notable people

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See also

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References

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