| If this website has been useful to you, please consider
making a Donation.
Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do
more research. Thank you for your support! |
29th
Wisconsin Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Twenty-ninth Infantry. — Cols., Charles R. Gill, William A. Greene,
Bradford Hancock; Lieut. -Cols., Gerrit T. Thome, William A. Greene, Bradford Hancock,
Horace E. Connit; Majs., William A. Greene, Bradford Hancock, Horace E. Connit, Gustavus
Bryant. This regiment was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, was mustered in Sept. 27
1862, and left the state Nov. 2. Upon reaching a point on the east bank of the Mississippi
river, opposite Helena, Ark., part of the regiment joined an expedition into the interior,
after which it was engaged in picket duty and expeditions until Dec. 23, when it moved to
Friar's Point and established a camp. Four hundred of the regiment marched into the
interior and put to flight part of Forrest's force. On Jan. 11, 1863, the regiment went to
Devall's Bluff, Ark., where it captured artillery, arms, stores and prisoners. In February
it took part in the Yazoo Pass expedition, returning March 1, when it was assigned to the
13th corps and sent toward Vicksburg, reaching Port Gibson in time to contribute greatly
to the successful results of that battle. It was assailed by a heavy fire from the enemy
on the top of a ridge, and from some woods on the right, but it held its position and
prevented a flank movement by keeping up a terrific fire on the enemy. In his report Gen.
McGinnis, brigade commander, made special mention of the regiment for its gallantry in
this, its first battle, saying the men "fought like veterans." The regiment lost
71, killed and wounded. At Champion's hill, the regiment advanced with its brigade across
an open field to a thickly timbered hill where the enemy was posted, opened a concentrated
fire and carried the position by a bayonet charge, capturing some 300 prisoners. The
regiment lost 114 killed and wounded. It joined the besiegers at Vicksburg and remained
during the siege in the advanced works. It was engaged at the second battle of Jackson in
July; was then on expedition, guard and picket duty during the summer and fall; was in the
Texas expedition with Gen. Washburn's division, which saved the 4th division from
annihilation at Carrion Crow bayou; and it was at Cavallo pass, where a strongly fortified
position was deserted by the enemy, who blew up the fort and fled, opening the Texas coast
from Matagorda bay to the Rio Grande. The regiment was in action at Cloutierville, and the
battle of Sabine cross-roads. It returned to Algiers in July, 1864, was attached to the
1st brigade, provisional division, and was in a severe skirmish at Atchafalaya river. It
was next attached to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 19th corps; was ordered to Clinton,
La., thence to Morganza via Port Hudson; and on Sept. 3 was sent to St. Charles, Ark.,
where it remained on guard and expedition duty until Oct. 23. The remainder of the year
was spent in heavy fatigue and picket duty and expeditions along the rivers. Early in
Jan., 1865, it went to Kennersville, near New Orleans, where it remained until Feb. 5,
when it joined the movement against Spanish Fort, and was in the trenches at that point
until March 31. It was then ordered to Fort Blakely, and was present at its fall, and then
served as provost guard at Mobile until May 26, when it was sent to Shreveport on the same
duty. It was mustered out June 22, 1865. Its original strength was 961. Gain by recruits,
127; substitutes, 1; total, 1,089. Loss by death, 296; desertion, 39; transfer, 103;
discharge, 184; mustered out, 467. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
|
Whats New
Bibliography
About Us
|