Tag: 2nd Wisconsin Infantry

Wikipedia says: The 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent most of the war as a member of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. It suffered the largest number of casualties as a percentage of its total enlistment of any Union Army unit in the war.

Following the Battle of Fort Sumter, on April 16, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. Pursuant to that proclamation, the War Department requested each state provide a certain number of regiments of volunteers—they requested one regiment from the state of Wisconsin. However, following Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall’s call to arms, 36 companies of men were enrolled to volunteer for the war effort—enough for more than three regiments. The Second Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was the second unit created from these original volunteer companies. The regiment was organized at Camp Randall, in Madison, Wisconsin, primarily composed of companies from Madison, Racine, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and La Crosse.

Governor Randall appointed 41-year-old S. Park Coon colonel of the new regiment—Coon was a native of New York, had served as Wisconsin’s 2nd Attorney General, and was an influential Milwaukee County Democrat. The lieutenant colonel, Henry W. Peck, was from Ohio and had graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1851—Peck provided some professional military experience and training, versus the political appointee Coon.

The regiment formally mustered into federal service on June 11, 1861. Although President Lincoln’s original request was for three-month volunteers, by June the need had become apparent for longer enlistments, and the 2nd Wisconsin was mustered as a three-year regiment.

The regiment was transported to Washington, D.C., and saw its first combat at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 in a brigade under William T. Sherman. Due to some of the men were state militia grey uniforms, the 2nd Wisconsin received some friendly fire from Union troops mistaking them for Confederates. Coon, never comfortable in his role as a military man, resigned July 30 to return to politics. Peck and the major also resigned, all were considered victims of the regiment’s poor performance at Bull Run. Three new field officers replaced them—Col. Edgar O’Connor, Lt. Col. Fairchild, and Maj. Thomas S. Allen. The appointment of O’Connor, married to a Southern woman and an outspoken Democrat, was met with sharp criticism in Wisconsin’s media, particularly in the Republican newspapers. He would prove to be a brave and competent leader, however, and was killed in action in Virginia in late summer 1862. Lt. Col. Fairchild was promoted to the rank of full colonel on September 8, 1862, to become the third commander of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers.

The regiment suffered severe casualties during the 1862 Northern Virginia Campaign, fighting against Stonewall Jackson’s Confederates at the Battle of Groveton, and seeing more action at the Second Battle of Bull Run. During the subsequent Maryland Campaign, the 2nd Wisconsin attacked Turner’s Gap during the Battle of South Mountain, and then again took high casualties in the Cornfield at Antietam.

Perhaps the regiment’s finest hour came at Gettysburg, where it lost 77% of its strength (233 casualties out of 302 effectives) in stubborn fighting on McPherson’s Ridge during the Iron Brigade’s lengthy action on July 1, 1863. Colonel Fairchild lost an arm due to severe wound, and most of the line officers went down as well. The regiment reformed on Culp’s Hill and entrenched for the rest of the battle. Although the 2nd Wisconsin was able to replenish some of its losses, it was never the same fighting force again. It later served in the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns. The final campaign for the 2nd Wisconsin was Grant’s bloody Overland Campaign.

With the regiment’s original three-year enlistments expiring on June 11, 1864, those who chose not to re-enlist were sent back to Madison, with the final company mustering out on July 2, 1864. Newer recruits and re-enlisted veterans were restructured into a battalion of two companies, first under the command of Captain Dennis B. Dailey, then under Lt. Albert T. Morgan, and finally Lt. Henry Naegly. The battalion participated in the Siege of Petersburg—suffering several more casualties during that campaign—until they were ultimately consolidated into the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment on November 30, 1864.

Total enlistments and casualties

The 2nd Wisconsin Infantry initially mustered 1,051 men and later recruited an additional 152 men, for a total of 1,203 men. The regiment lost 10 officers and 228 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 77 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 315 fatalities.

Commanders

Colonel S. Park Coon (April 24, 1861 – July 30, 1861) resigned.

Colonel Edgar O’Connor (August 3, 1861 – August 28, 1862) was killed in action at Gainesville, Virginia, during the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Colonel Lucius Fairchild (September 8, 1862 – October 20, 1863) began the war as captain of Co. K, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, and joined the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry as major. He lost an arm at Gettysburg and was promoted to brigadier general by President Lincoln. After the war he became the first three-term governor of Wisconsin and, later, was appointed U.S. Minister to Spain.

Colonel John Mansfield (February 9, 1864 – August 14, 1864) began the war as captain of Co. G. Mustered out with the regiment as Colonel.

Notable people

Thomas S. Allen, Captain of Co. I, later colonel of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and brevet brigadier general. After the war became Secretary of State of Wisconsin.

Allen S. Baker, after the war became a Wisconsin state legislator.

Joseph Bock, Private in Co. C, wounded at Gainesville in 2nd Bull Run. After the war became a Wisconsin state legislator.

Gabriel Bouck, Captain of Co. E, later colonel of the 18th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. After the war Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly and a member of Congress.

George G. Cox, after the war became a Wisconsin state legislator.

Norton J. Field, Sergeant. After the war became a Wisconsin state legislator.

Henry B. Harshaw, Lieutenant in Co. E, wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness and lost his arm. After the war became State Treasurer of Wisconsin.

John Johnson, Private, received the Medal of Honor for actions at the Battle of Antietam where he lost his arm.

Thomas McCaul, wounded at Second Bull Run, brevet Captain. After the war became mayor of Tomah, Wisconsin, and a Wisconsin state legislator.

Fordyce R. Melvin, wounded and re-enlisted with the 24th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. After the war became a Wisconsin state legislator.

Edward S. Minor, Private and later 1st Lt. in Co. G. After the war became a Wisconsin legislator and member of Congress.

Patrick Henry Ray, later captain in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment. After the war remained in the Army rising to brigadier general.

George G. Symes, Private in Co. B, later colonel of the 44th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. After the war became a member of Congress from Colorado.

William H. Upham, Private in Co. F, wounded and captured at 1st Bull Run. After the war became 18th Governor of Wisconsin.

Samuel K. Vaughan, 2nd Lt. in Co. G, later colonel of the 19th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, and brevet brigadier general.

Gilbert M. Woodward, Private and later 1st Lt. and adjutant, wounded at Gettysburg. After the war became a member of Congress.