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36th
Wisconsin Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-sixth infantry. — Cols., Frank A. Haskell, John A. Savage,
Jr., Harvey M. Brown, Clement E. Warner; Lieut. -Cols., John A. Savage, Jr., Harvey M.
Brown, Clement E. Warner, William H. Hamilton; Majs., Harvey M. Brown, Clement E. Warner,
William H. Hamilton, George A. Pisk. This regiment was organized at Camp Randall, Madison,
and was mustered in in April, 1864. It left the state May 10 and was sent at once to
Spottsylvania where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps, and was
held in reserve during the engagement there. It supported a battery at the North Anna
river and was in line of battle, but not engaged, on the following day. Cos. H and K
charged and captured a line of the enemy's works on May 26. The regiment advanced toward
Richmond, and took part in the battle of Totopotomy. Cos. B, E, F and G moved forward as
skirmishers across an open field and charged a strong line of works, unsupported, in the
face of a savage fire of grape and musketry from the front and an oblique fire from right
and left, driving in the enemy's skirmishers and losing 140 in killed, wounded and
prisoners out of 240 engaged. But it accomplished the desired end by forcing the enemy to
concentrate on this point on the double-quick thus relieving the pressure at the left. At
Cold Harbor the regiment led the advance across an open field under heavy fire and
remained on the field all day, losing 73 men. During the siege of Petersburg, it was
engaged in several severe skirmishes, including one on the Jerusalem plank road, within 20
rods of the enemy's line, when one-half of the brigade was captured by a flank movement,
the 36th saving itself by a quick change of front. It was engaged in skirmishing, short
expeditions and picket duty in and about Petersburg, including Malvern hill, New Market
road and Reams' station where of the 186 officers and men engaged there was a loss of 138
in killed, wounded and captured. At Hatcher's run, when separated from its division by a
heavy force, the regiment faced to the rear, made a bayonet charge, doubled the enemy's
line, captured a stand of colors and more prisoners than it had men engaged. This brought
forth warm words of commendation from Brig. -Gen. Egan, who wrote: "It was a short
fight; that rebel brigade was instantaneously crumbled and destroyed, being mostly
captured with arms, colors and officers, to a total number three times greater than the
36th * * * I now depend upon them with my veterans." The regiment repulsed a charge
at the same point in Feb., 1865. With other forces it charged the enemy's line at
Hatcher's run in April, 1865, taking the works at an important point, which resulted in
the entire line giving way. It then pursued Lee's army and was present at the surrender at
Appomattox. It participated in the grand review at Washington and was mustered out at
Jeffersonville, Ind., July 12, 1865. Its original strength was 990. Gain by recruits, 24;
total, 1,014. Loss by death, 296; desertion, 21 ; transfer, 38 ; discharge, 214; mustered
out, 445. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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