Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment was an infantry
regiment that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
, primarily in the Western Theater
. It was later mounted and became the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
.
and was mustered into Federal service on July 2, 1861. It was first assigned to garrison duty in Maryland
, then in February 1862 was transferred to Newport News, Virginia
. It became part of the Army of the Gulf
and was subsequently sent to New Orleans, Louisiana. During the following year, the 4th Wisconsin participated in several expeditions against Vicksburg, Mississippi
, and Port Hudson, Louisiana
. It saw action in the Siege of Port Hudson
from May to July 1863.
On September 1, 1863, the regiment was reorganized as the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, which it served as through the remainder of the war.
The regiment lost 9 officers and 158 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounds, plus another 2 officers and 113 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 282 fatalities.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, primarily in the Western Theater
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
. It was later mounted and became the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
The 4th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 4th Wisconsin Cavalry was originally organized as the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Racine, Wisconsin on July 2, 1862...
.
History
The 4th Wisconsin was raised as an infantry regiment at Camp Utley in RacineRacine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
and was mustered into Federal service on July 2, 1861. It was first assigned to garrison duty in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, then in February 1862 was transferred to Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
. It became part of the Army of the Gulf
Army of the Gulf
The Army of the Gulf was a Union army that served in the general area of the Gulf states controlled by Union forces. It mainly saw action in Louisiana and Alabama.-History:...
and was subsequently sent to New Orleans, Louisiana. During the following year, the 4th Wisconsin participated in several expeditions against Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
, and Port Hudson, Louisiana
Port Hudson, Louisiana
Port Hudson is a small unincorporated community in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. Located about northwest of Baton Rouge, it is most famous for an American Civil War battle known as the Siege of Port Hudson.-Geography:...
. It saw action in the Siege of Port Hudson
Siege of Port Hudson
The Siege of Port Hudson occurred from May 22 to July 9, 1863, when Union Army troops assaulted and then surrounded the Mississippi River town of Port Hudson, Louisiana, during the American Civil War....
from May to July 1863.
On September 1, 1863, the regiment was reorganized as the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, which it served as through the remainder of the war.
Total enlistments and casualties
The 4th Wisconsin Regiment initially mustered 1,058 men and later recruited an additional 994 men, for a total of 2502 men during its service.The regiment lost 9 officers and 158 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounds, plus another 2 officers and 113 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 282 fatalities.
Colonels
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Halbert E. PaineHalbert E. PaineHalbert Eleazer Paine was a lawyer, politician, and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a three-term postbellum U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin.-Biography:...
– May 27, 1861, to March 13, 1863 – promoted to brigadier generalBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
. - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Sidney A. Bean – March 17, 1863, to May 29, 1863 – killed in action at the Battle of Port Hudson - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Frederick A. Boardman – June 3, 1863, to May 3, 1864 – killed in action at Comite River, Louisiana - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Joseph BaileyJoseph Bailey (general)Joseph Bailey was a civil engineer who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
– May 3, 1864, to November 10, 1864 – promoted to brigadier generalBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
.
Further reading
- Martin, Michael, A History of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry and Cavalry in the American Civil War. Savas-Beatie, 2006. ISBN 1-932714-18-9.