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33rd
Wisconsin Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-third Infantry.— Col., Jonathan B. Moore; Lieut. -Cols.,
Frederick S. Lovell, Horatio H. Virgin; Majs., Horatio H. Virgin, George R. Frank. This
regiment was organized at Camp Utley, Racine, in Sept., 1862, was mustered in Oct. 18, and
left the state Nov. 12. It was sent to Memphis and assigned to the 3d brigade of Gen.
Lauman's division, in the right wing of the Army of the Tennessee, Col. Moore commanding
the brigade. The regiment joined the movement toward Jackson and Vicksburg in November,
building bridges enroute to replace those burned by the enemy in his retreat. It was
transferred to the 1st brigade, 4th division, and went into winter quarters at Moscow,
Tenn., suffering greatly for want of suitable food. It was transferred to the 16th corps,
and on March 9, 1863, was ordered to Memphis. In April it was in the advance on the enemy
at the Coldwater river, driving his skirmishers 25 miles one day and concluding with a
sharp fight that night at Hernando. The following day the regiment had the advance and
poured a destructive fire upon the Confederates, driving them across the river. It took
possession of the fortifications at Snyder's bluff in May, then moved to Vicksburg and
took a position close to the works, where it was under constant fire until the surrender.
It attacked the rifle-pits on the night of June 4 with such vigor that the enemy was
driven back to the main works. On the night of the 13th Co. D charged a hill, drove the
enemy from the rifle-pits in confusion, but not being supported was compelled to retire,
though it retook them the following night, when the position was held. On the night of the
21st six companies drove in the enemy's pickets and dug rifle-pits within 85 yards of a
large fort. The ground was lost the next day, but five companies of the regiment regained
it at night in a 15 minutes' fight and held it until the end of the siege. The regiment
was ordered to Jackson and with the brigade drove in the enemy, capturing his ammunition
train. The 33d made a reconnoissance towards the Pearl river, but met a heavy force and
only escaped capture or annihilation through its steadiness and the coolness of its
officers. It returned to Vicksburg and in August was ordered to Natchez, where it remained
until December. It went into quarters at Milldale until Feb. 3, 1864, when it joined the
Meridian expedition. In March it was ordered to join the Red River expedition, reached
Fort De Russy on the 15th, and was engaged in guard duty for the transport fleet up the
Red river in April, but was compelled to return because of the Sabine cross-roads
disaster. It repulsed three attacks of a large force at Pleasant Hill landing, reached
Grand Ecore, and repelled an attack at Cloutierville. It was in a severe engagement at
Cane river the following day, defeating the enemy after a 2 hours' fight and was in
reserve at Alexandria. It participated in the successful engagement at Moore's plantation
; was in an engagement near Marksville; was in reserve at Yellow bayou, and was then sent
to Vicksburg and Memphis. It left Memphis late in June on an expedition through
Mississippi and repulsed two attacks on a supply train near Carmargo cross-roads in July.
It held the extreme right of the front line in the battle of Tupelo and was in the charge
that drove the enemy from the field. It was attacked at Old Town creek, but formed in
line, advanced under a severe fire across a long bridge and causeway, and drove the enemy
from his position with terrible punishment. The official report says of the 33d: "Too
much praise cannot be awarded to officers and men for their gallantry, and it is stated
with pride that during these actions not a man straggled from the regiment." It was
engaged in guard duty and building fortifications at St. Charles, Ark., until Sept. 1,
when it was ordered to Brownsville, and on the 17th set out in pursuit of Price. After
severe marching under great difficulties, it reached Cape Girardeau, Mo., and proceeded to
St. Louis, Jefferson City, Lamine bridge and Warrensburg. It was on guard duty at St.
Louis, the greater part of November and was then ordered to Nashville, where it took part
in the battle. It reached Clifton, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1865; was on train guard at Grand View,
and rejoined the brigade at Eastport, Miss., on the 14th. It participated in skirmishes at
Corinth and near Iuka, was sent to Vicksburg in February, thence to New Orleans, Dauphin
island, Cedar point and Smith's mills, skirmishing at intervals. It arrived at Spanish
Fort and was the first organized regiment to enter the main fort, having been under fire
much of the time during the siege. It was in reserve at Fort Blakely, reached Montgomery,
Ala., Apr. 23, Tuskegee on the 25th, and remained on provost duty until July 19. It
rejoined the brigade at Montgomery and was ordered to Vicksburg, where it was mustered out
Aug. 8. Its original strength was 892. Gain by recruits, 174; substitutes, 2; total,
1,066. Loss by death, 196; missing, 4; desertion, 22; transfer, 37; discharge, 170;
mustered out, 637. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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