|
Company
C of the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment was raised
in communities along the Mississippi River around Prairie du Chien,
one of the oldest settled areas in Wisconsin. Around camp they
were known as Jayhawkers, perhaps because of their ability to
forage secessionist chickens.
|
First
mustered into service on
July 16, 1861, the 6th Wisconsin
served the duration of the
American Civil War and
participated in almost all of the
major campaigns in the Eastern
theater. They fought in most of
the major battles, including
Second Bull Run, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg, the Wilderness,
Spotsylvania, Petersburg and the
surrender of the Army of
Northern Virginia at Appomattox.
The 6th Wisconsin was also of
part of the famed Iron Brigade,
which was known for their
ability to stand like iron in the
face of the enemy. The Iron
Brigade consisted of the 2nd
Wisconsin, 6th Wisconsin, 7th
Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, and the
24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
Regiments, and also Battery B of
the 4th U.S. Artillery. The brigade
was also known for their tall
black hats which instilled fear in
the enemy. Many a Confederate
soldier realized they were about
to engage the best Federal
soldiers in the Union Army when
they saw those "damned black hats".
|
Unknown soldier from the 6th Wisconsin
Co. A showing
the tall black hat and uniform of the Iron
Brigade
|
| The
6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Randall,
in Madison, Wisconsin and mustered in July 16, 1861. It left
the state for Washington D.C. on July 28. The 6th remained
at Harrisburg, Pa until August 3, and then moved to Washington.
It was attached to King's Brigade, McDowell's Division, Army
of the Potomac until March, 1862. Then 1st Brigade, 3rd Division,
1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. Next,
3rd Brigade, King's Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to
June, 1862. Then 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps,
Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 4th Brigade, 1st Division,
1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st
Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, to March, 1864.
1st Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Army Corps, to August, 1864.
3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, to September, 1864.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, to July, 1865.
|
6th Wisconsin Regimental Flag
The 6th Wisconsin Flag as
Carried at Gettysburg
|
Charles Keeler, 6th Wisconsin Co. B
Dunker Chruch, Antietam
The Bloody Railroad Cut at Gettysburg
General John Gibbon, Commander
of the Iron Brigade
Mair Pointon, 6th Wisconsin Co. A
|
Defense
of Washington D.C. until March of 1862
Reconnaissance to Lewinsville, VA - September 25, 1861
Advance on Manassas, VA - March 10-16, 1862
Advance on Richmond - March 25-29
Advance to Falmouth - April 9-19
Operations against Jackson - June 2-11
Reconnaissance to Orange Court House - July 24-27
Reconnaissance to Frederick's Hall Station and Spotsylvania
- August 5-8
Thornsburg's Mills - August 5-6
Cedar Mountain - August 9, 1862
Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia - August 16-September
2
Fords of the Rappahannock - August 21-23
Gainesville (Brawner Farm) - August 28, 1862
Groveton - August 29, 1862
Second Bull Run - August 30, 1862
Chantilly - September 1 (reserve)
Maryland Campaign - September 6-22
South Mountain - September 14, 1862
Antietam - September 16-17, 1862
At Sharpsburg until October 30
Advance to Falmouth, VA - October 30-November 22
Fredericksburg - December 12-15, 1862
"Mud March" - January 20-24, 1863
At Belle Plain until April 27
Expedition to Heathville - February 12-14
Chancellorsville Campaign - April 27-May 6
Operations at Pollock's Mill Creek - April 29-May 2
Fitzhugh's Crossing - April 29-30, 1863
Chancellorsville - May 2-5, 1863
Gettysburg Campaign - June 11-July 24
Gettysburg - July 1-3, 1863
Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, VA - July 5-24
Duty on line of the Rappahannock and Rapidan until October
Bristoe Campaign - October 9-22
Haymarket - October 19, 1863
Advance to line of the Rappahannock - November 7-8
Mine Run Campaign - November 26-December 2
Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River - May 4 -
June 15, 1864
The Wilderness - May 5-7, 1864
Laurel Hill - May 8, 1864
Spottsylvania - May 8-12, 1864
Assault on the Salient "Bloody Angle" - May 12,
1864
Spottsylvania Court House - May 12-21
North Anna River - May 23-26, 1864
Jericho Ford - May 23, 1864
On line of the Totopotomoy - May 28-31
Cold Harbor - June 1-12, 1864
Bethesda Church - June 1-3
Before Petersburg - June 16-18
Siege of Petersburg - June 16, 1864-April 2, 1865
Weldon Railroad - August 18-21, 1864
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run - October 27-28, 1864
Dabney's Mills - February 5-7, 1865
Appomattox Campaign - March 28 - April 9
Lewis Farm - March 29, 1865
Boydton and White Oak Roads - March 30-31, 1865
Five Forks - April 1, 1865
Fall of Petersburg - April 2, 1865
Pursuit of Lee - April 3-9
Appomattox Court House - April 9, 1865
Surrender of Lee and his army
March to Washington D.C.
Grand Review - May 23
Moved to Louisville, KY until June 17, 1865
Mustered out of service - July 2, 1865 |
|
16
officers and 228 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded
and 1 officer and 112 enlisted men from disease.
Total
357 men, or 18.4 per cent.
The
6th Wisconsin ranks 10th out of the approximately 2000 regiments
in terms of men killed in battle
|
|
Companies
|
Killed
and Died of Wounds
|
|
Officers
|
Men
|
Total
|
Field
and Staff
Company A
Company B
Company C
Company D
Company E
Company F
Company G
Company H
Company I
Company K |
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
0
0
2
|
28
25
14
28
15
17
23
19
37
22
|
2
29
27
15
29
17
20
25
19
37
24
|
| Totals |
16
|
228
|
244
|
|
| Battles |
Killed
and Mortally Wounded
|
Battles |
Killed
and Mortally Wounded |
Gainesville,
Va
Manassas, Va
South Mountain, Md
Antietam, Md
Fitz Hugh's Crossing, Va
Gettysburg, Pa
Wilderness, Va
Spottsylvania, Va May 8
Spottsylvania, Va May 10
Spottsylvania, Va May 12
Spottsylvania, Va May 13 |
14
11
16
40
5
41
15
3
12
3
6
|
North
Anna, Va
Bethesda Church, Va
Petersburg, Va June 18
Petersburg Trenches, Va
Weldon Railroad, Va
Dabney's Mills, Va
Gravelly Run, Va
Five Forks, Va
Picket Line, Va Aug 31, 62
Prison guard, N.C.
Detail, Artillery Service |
3
2
10
5
12
24
9
7
1
1
4
|
| Colonels |
Lieutenant
Colonels |
Majors |
Lysander
Cutler
Edward S. Bragg
Rufus R. Dawes
John A. Kellogg |
Julius
P. Atwood
Benjamin F. Sweet
Edward S. Bragg
Rufus R. Dawes
John A. Kellogg
Thomas Kerr |
Benjamin
F. Sweet
Edward S. Bragg
Rufus R. Dawes
John F. Hauser
Philip W. Plummer
John A. Kellogg
Thomas Kerr
Dennis B. Dailey |
|
