A Hard Fought German Regiment

The 26^th Wisconsin Infantry, a German regiment organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin left the state for Washington, DC October 6^th 1862.

The 26^th Wisconsin Infantry was made up mostly of men of German decent and was organized at Camp Siegel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  They were mustered into the Union Army September 17^th 1862 and left for Washington, DC on October 6^th 1862.  The 26^th joined the 11^th Corps at Fairfax Court House, Virginia.  They saw their first real action in Chancellorsville in May 1863, where they and the 119^th New York were attacked by superior numbers of Confederates in an open field.  The 26^th lost 177 men in that battle.  The 26^th saw heavy losses again at the Battle of Gettysburg.  Their service continued with action at Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain and Sherman’s March to the Sea.  They were part of the Union Army’s Grand Review in Washington, DC.

The 26^th mustered out of Union service in Washington, DC June 17^th 1865.  Of the 1088 men who served in the 26^th, 188 officers and enlisted were killed and 77 died from disease.

A good web site to look at if you want to know more is the History of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry