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26th
Wisconsin Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Twenty-sixth Infantry. — Cols., William H. Jacobs, Frederick C.
Winkler; Lieut. -Cols., Charles Lehnian, Hans Boebel, Frederick C. Winkler, Francis
Lackner; Majs., Philip Horwitz, Henry Baetz, Frederick C. Winkler, Francis Lackner, John
W. Fuchs. This was a German regiment, organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, mustered in,
Sept. 17, 1862, and left the state on Oct. 6. It joined the 11th army corps at Fairfax
Court House, Va., and was attached to the 2nd brigade, 3d division. It joined the movement
toward the Rappahannock in December, went into camp at Stafford Court House, and then was
on drill, guard and picket duty until April. It participated at Chancellorsville in May,
1863, being posted on a ridge in an open field with its right wholly uncovered, where it
and the 119th N. Y., both under fire for the first time, were savagely attacked by
superior numbers. The men fought like veterans until both flanks were doubled up and only
fell back when destruction or capture was inevitable. The regiment lost 177 in killed,
wounded, and prisoners in the two days' contest. It was engaged at Gettysburg under the
temporary command of Gen. Schurz. Ewell's corps, far out-numbering Schurz's command, bore
down upon it with terrible fury, forcing it back, although the men fought like demons for
every inch, until a point was reached where the line could be reformed. On the second day
the regiment became hotly engaged and was compelled to fall back, which it did in good
order, contesting the way as on the previous day, and later acted as rear-guard in the
retreat to Cemetery hill. Its losses during the battle were 210 killed, wounded, prisoners
and missing. At Missionary ridge the regiment was in reserve the first day and in the
front line against skirmishers on the second. In the beginning of the Atlanta campaign its
brigade had the advance at Resaca; was engaged at Dallas; took position before Kennesaw
mountain and had several sharp engagements in that vicinity. At Peachtree creek it was
under a terrific enfilading fire from a body of the enemy concealed in a thick wood, and
repelled at the same time an assault from the front. Col. Wood, commanding the brigade,
said: "The brunt of the enemy's attack fell upon it; the brave, skillful and
determined manner in which it met this attack * * * and drove back the enemy could not be
excelled by the troops in this or any other army." The regiment was in the front line
before Atlanta during the greater part of the siege and was in many skirmishes and
reconnoissances. On the march to the sea it charged and carried the enemy's works 10 miles
from Savannah, for which it received the compliments of its commanders. It was in the
engagement at Averasboro, was in line of battle at Bentonville, supporting the 14th corps,
and at the close of the campaign of the Carolinas marched to Richmond. It participated in
the grand review at Washington. In an official communication, Gen. Coggswell, brigade
commander, stated that it was "one of the finest military organizations in the
service." It was mustered out at Washington June 13, 1865. Its original strength was
1,002; gain by recruits, 86; substitutes, 1; total, 1,089. Loss by death, 254; desertion,
31; transfer, 125; discharge, 232; mustered out, 447. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 4
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