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18th
Wisconsin Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Eighteenth Infantry. — Cols., James S. Alban, Gabriel Bouck, Charles
H. Jackson; Lieut. -Cols., Samuel W. Beall, Charles H. Jackson, James P. Millard; Majs.,
Josiah W. Crane, Charles H. Jackson, James P. Millard, Joseph W. Roberts. This regiment
was organized in Oct., 1861. It was mustered in and left the state March 30, 1862, for
Pittsburg landing and reached there April 5. The next morning, with absolutely no
instruction in the manual of arms and but little drill, it was ordered to check the
enemy's advance at Shiloh. It fought bravely, losing 24 killed, 82 wounded and 174
prisoners. "Many regiments may well covet the impressions which the 18th Wis. left of
personal bravery, heroic daring and determined endurance," said Gov. Harvey. It took
part in the siege of Corinth and then encamped at Corinth and Bolivar until Sept. 17, when
it was ordered to Iuka to reinforce Rosecrans, but was immediately returned to the defense
of Corinth which was threatened. On Oct. 1 it met the advance of Price and Van Dorn and
fell back to the protection of Smith's bridge the following day. On the 3d, the enemy
appearing in force, the regiment burned the bridge, rejoined its brigade at the railroad,
and retained its position until overwhelming numbers compelled it to fall back. It joined
in pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Corinth, and on Nov. 2 proceeded to Grand
Junction. In the movement southward it went to Holly Springs, then back to Grand Junction,
thence to Moscow, Tenn., and Memphis, and from there by boat to Young's point, La., where
it remained until Feb. 9, 1863. In the advance upon Vicksburg it took position in the
battle of Champion's hill, and reached Vicksburg on May 20. It deployed as sharpshooters
to cover the assault on the 22nd, and on June 4 went into the trenches where it remained
until the surrender. It was then on guard duty until Sept. 11, when it was sent to
Memphis, thence to Corinth and to Chattanooga, reaching the latter place Nov. 19. It
joined in the attack on Missionary ridge and was on guard duty at Bridgeport, Ala., during
the greater part of December. It went to Huntsville on Dec. 25, remained there until May
1, 1864; then went to Whitesburg for guard duty until June 19, and was in camp, garrison
and guard duty in Georgia and Tennessee until September. In October it aided in the
defense of Allatoona against repeated assaults of a superior force. A furlough was granted
reenlisted veterans on Nov. 12. and the recruits and non-veterans were tempororily
assigned to the 93d Ill., which accompanied Sherman's army to Savannah. The veterans were
ordered to Nashville, reaching there Jan. 11, 1865, and were then sent to New Berne, N. C,
where they encamped until the last of March, when they joined Sherman at Goldsboro and
took part in the movement to Richmond. The regiment participated in the grand review at
Washington and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1865. Its original strength
was 962. Gain by recruits, 226; draft, 271; veteran reenlistments, 178; total, 1,637.
Losses by death, 220; missing 78; desertion, 208; transfer, 23; discharge. 265; mustered
out, 843. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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