26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > Wisconsin > 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment mustered 1,089 men during the American Civil War. It lost 12 officers and 176 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded – the fourth highest percentage (17.5%) of any Union regiment – and 77 enlisted men to disease. The regiment is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.

May 3

1862
Summer The regiment was organized at Camp Sigel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as one of 12 regiments authorized to General Sigel to be raised among the German population. Over 90% of the men were German, with Company G being the only company that was partially non-German.Organization of the Regiment

  • Company A – Captain William George
  • Company B – Captain Frederick C. Winkler
  • Company C – Captain John P. Seeman
  • Company D – Captain August Leigowsky
  • Company E – Captain Alton Kettler
  • Company F – Captain Henry Baetz
  • Company G – Captain Jacob E. Mann
  • Company H – Captain Hans Boebel
  • Company I – Captain Franz Landa
  • Company K – Captain Lewis Pelosi
August 16 Colonel William H. Jacobs, Lieutennt Colonel Charles Lehmann and Major Philip Horwitz mustered in as the regiment’s field officers.
September 17 The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment mustered in to three years Federal service.
October 6 Left Wisconsin for Washington. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac
October 15 Moved from Washington, D.C., to Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
November 2-9 Movement to Gainesville
November 16
  • Captain Frederick C. Winkler was detailed as Judge Advocate of the 11th Corps
  • Captain John P. Seeman of Company C was detailed as Provost Marshall for the 3rd Division, 11th Corps
  • Captain August Ligousky of Company D was detailed as Topographical Engineer for the 3rd Division, 11th Corps
November 18 Moved to Centreville
November 19 Captain Franz Landa of Company I resigned.
December 8 Captain Jacob E. Mann of Company G resigned.
December 9-14 To Falmouth, Virginia, arriving as General Burnside withdrew from the battle.
December 15

Battle of Fredericksburg

The regiment did not participate in the battle. First Lieutenant William Smith was promoted to Captain of Company I.
December 20 First Lieutenant Charles Pizzala was promoted to Captain of Company G.
December Moved into winter quarters at Stafford Court House
1863
January 16 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Lehmann resigned. Captain Hans Boebel of Company H was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
January 20-24
“Mud March”

The regiment stayed behind and covered the line while the remainder of the 11th Corps took part in the march.
February-April At Stafford Court House
February 5 Major Philip Horwitz resigned.
March 8-10 Captains Anton Kettler of Company E and William Georg resigned.
March 12 Captain Lois Pelosi of Company K resigned.
March 15
  • Captain Henry Baetz of Company F was promoted to Major.
  • First Lieutenant Charles W. Neukirk was promoted to Captain of Company E.
  • First Lieutenant Francis Lackner was promoted to Captain of Company F.
  • First Lieutenant Bernhard Domschke was promoted to Captain of Company H.
  • First Lieutenant August Schueler was promoted to Captain of Company K.
April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign
April 27 Broke camp and crossed the Rappahannock at Midnight at Kelley’s Ford.
May 29 Crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford.
May 30 Reached Locust Grove and took position facing south along the Fredericksburg Pike, about a quarter mile east of the end of the 11th Corps line.
May 1-5

Battle of Chancellorsville
May 1 The 11th Corps line was probed by a Confederate battery, and a few rifle pits were dug.
May 2 The regiment was marched about a quarter mile to the rear and posted on a bare hill top, facing west. The 119 New York Infantry was on the regiment’s left but its right flank was unprotected.The regiment’s first battle started at about 5 p.m. Jackson’s flank attack struck, rolling up the 11th Corps line. Captain Charles Pizzala, commanding the regiment’s skirmishers, was instantly killed. The skirmishers fell back onto the reserve and fired a single volley before retiring on the main body of the regiment. Flanked on both sides, the two regiments withdrew to a position near the Chancellor House, where nightfall ended the fighting.
May 3 The 11th Corps shifted position to its left. The regiment was on the extreme left of the line, near the river.
May 4 The regiment engaged in “spirited skirmishing” and held its position.
May 6 The army withdrew across the Rappahannock in the morning and made its way to its camp at Stafford Court House.53 men were killed or mortally wounded, and 96 men were wounded.

  • Captains Charles Pizzala of Company G and August Schuler of Company K were killed.
  • Captain Charles Newkirch of Company E was mortally wounded.
  • First Lieutenant Adolf Cordier of Company F, First Lieutenant Charles H. Doerflinger of Company K, and Second Lieutenant Henry Grere of Company K were wounded.
  • Second Lieutenant Henry Ranth of Company C was captured.
June 1
  • First Lieutenant Peter Ferneckes was promoted to Captain of Company E
  • First Lieutenant Peter Feurstenberg was promoted to Captain of Company G
  • First Lieutenant Edward Carl of Company D was promoted to Captain of Company K.
June 11-July 24

Gettysburg Campaign
June 12 The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was ordered to march “without delay” and moved north through Centreville and to Edward’s Ferry. Colonel William Jacobs was on leave, and Lieutenant Colonel Hans Boebel was in command of the regiment.
June 25 Continued the march.
June 29 Reached Emmitsburg, Maryland and camped.
July 1-3

Battle of Gettysburg

Artillery firing was heard from the north, the direction of Reynolds’ First Corps. The Eleventh Corps quickly set off on a forced march to join them. They reached Gettysburg and passed through town to take up positions on the plains to its north, loosely extending the First Corps line at a right angle.

The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Hans Boebel. It formed up on the east side of Calrisle Road in the second line in a double column formation. The Confederates attacked in overwhelming numbers from the front and both flanks, and the first line of the Eleventh Corps quickly began to break up.

The regiment became heavily engaged and held its position until the flank of the 119th New York Infantry on its left was turned. The brigade was forced to withdraw across the field under heavy artillery fire, which one member of the regiment later admitted was “not as orderly as it should have been.” The regiment made a stand at the edge of Gettysburg, and acted as rear guard in the retreat through the town and beyond, where they reformed behind a low fence at the foot of Cemetery Hill.

Colonel Hans Boebel was wounded during this time, losing his right leg. Captain John W. Fuchs then took command.

The regiment held this position for the remainder of the battle. It was not engaged, even though heavy attacks struck units on both sides, except for small numbers of men on picket duty.

From the monument to the 26th Wisconsin at Gettysburg:

Effective Strength 516, Killed 46, Wounded 134, Missing 37

Casualties

The casualtiy lists from the Adjutant General’s Office list 53 men killed or mortally wounded and 115 men wounded.

  • Captain William Smith of Company I, First Lieutenant Martin Young of Company A, Second Lieutenant Peter Rook of Company F, and Sergeant Major Alexander Metzel were killed.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Hans Boebel, and Lieutenants Conrad Grode of Company A, Francis Lackner of Company B, August Bartsch of Company D, Otto Troemel of Company F, and Sigmund Juenger and Peter Feuerstenberg of Company G, and Joseph Mashauer of Company H were wounded.
  • Captain Bernhard Domschke of Company H and First Lieutenant Albert Wallber of Company I were captured.
July 4 Colonel William Jacobs rejoined the regiment from leave.
July 5-24 Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Virginia via Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Williamsport, and Berlin.
July 19 Crossed the Potomac on the pontoon bridges at Berlin and marched south.
July 25 Reached Warrenton Junction.
August-September At Warrenton Junction. Due to the losses in officers and men the regiment was temporarily consolidated to five companies.
September 17 Marched to Rappahannock Station and expanded back to ten companies.
September 24-October 3 Marched to Manassas Junction and then moved by rail to Bridgeport, Alabama via Columbus, Ohio. Transferred to the Army of the Cumberland.
October 8 Major Baetz resigned due to his Gettysburg wound.
October 19 First Lieutenant Joseph Mashauer of Company H was promoted to Captain of Company D.
October 27-29

Reopening Tennessee River
October 28-29

Battle of Wauhatchie

Two men were wounded.
November Duty in Lookout Valley
November 11 Colonel William  Jacobs went back to Wisconsin on recruiting duty. Captain Frederick C. Winckler, who had been detailed to the staff of Major General Carl Schurz, resigned from the the General’s staff to return and take command of the regiment.
November 15 First Lieutenant John W. Fuchs of Company C was promoted to Captain of Company A.
November 17 Captain Frederick C. Winkler of Company B was promoted to Major.
November 23-27

Chattanooga – Ringgold Campaign
November 23

Orchard Knob
November 24-25

Tunnel Hill

First Lieutenant Charles Schmidt was promoted to Captain of Company B.
November 25

Mission Ridge
November 27-December 8 Marched to relief of Knoxville, Tennessee. The forced march was done in cold weather and on poor, muddy roads with thin, worn out clothing and shoes and on half rations. In the end Longstreet was beaten and moved off before they arrived, so the march to Knoxville and back was unnecessary.
December Duty in Lookout Valley
December 30 John P. Seeman was recommissioned Captain of Company I.
1864
January 11 Colonel William H. Jacobs resigned, having never returned from recruiting duty. Major Frederick C. Winkler continued to command the regiment.
January 25 Moved to winter camp at Whiteside, Alabama.
January 25 Moved to winter camp at Whiteside, Alabama.
February 8 Captain Hermann Feuerstenberg of Company G resigned.
April 13 First Lieutenant August Bartsch was promoted to Captain of Company G.
May 1 to September 8

Atlanta Campaign

Transferred to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps. Recruits and returned convalescents had raised the regiment’s strength to 417 men.
April 19 First Lieutenant William Steinmeyer was promoted to Captain of Company E.
May 7-11

Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge

Lieutenant Juenger of Company A was wounded.
May 8-9 Buzzard’s Roost Gap
May 13-15

Battle of Resaca

The regiment made and unsuccessful attack on Confederate positions on a hillside, then successfully repelled a Confederate counterattack.

Nine men were killed and 36 wounded. First Lieutenant Christian Phillip of Company F was killed.
May 19 Cassville
May 25

New Hope Church
May 28 Lieutenant Colonel Hans Boebel was discharged due to his wound from Gettysburg.
May 25-June 5

Operations along Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles around Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills

17 men were killed and 23 were wounded. Lieutenant Frederick Horner of Company E was wounded.
June 10-July 2

Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain
June 11-14 Pine Hill
June 15-17 Lost Mountain
June 15

Gilgal or Golgotha Church
June 17 Muddy Creek
June 19 Noyes Creek
June 22

Kolb’s Farm
June 27

Assault on Kenesaw

Major Frederick C. Winkler was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Francis Lackner of Company F was promoted to Major.

In the month of June the regiment lost 11 men killed and 36 wounded.
July 4 Ruff’s Station
July 5-17

Chattahoochie River
July 19-20

Peach Tree Creek

The Confederate attacks came to within 10 paces of the regiment’s line before heavy rifle fire made them break and run back in disorder. Captain Fuchs of Company C captured the colors of the 23rd Mississippi Infantry.

Colonel Wood, commanding the Third Brigade, wrote, “The position of this regiment in the line was such that the brunt of the enemy’s attack fell upon it. The brave, skilful and determined manner in which it met this attack, rolled back the onset, pressed forward in a counter charge and drove back the enemy, could not be excelled by the troops in this or any other army, and is worthy of the highest commendation and praise.”

Six men were killed or mortally wounded and 39 men were wounded.

Captains Robert Mueller of Company C, William Steinmeyer of Company E and John P. Seeman of Company I were killed and First Lieutenant Nicholas Wollmar of Company G was mortally wounded. Captain William Steinmeyer of Company E was wounded.
July 22-
August 25

Siege of Atlanta

The regiment lost 13 men killed or mortally wounded during the siege.
August 26-
September 2

Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge
August 17 Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Winkler was promoted to Colonel, but because the strength of the regiment had been reduced below the regulation limits he was not allowed to be mustered.
September 2-November 15 Occupation of Atlanta
September 26 Captain Edward Carl of Company K resigned.
October 19
  • Major Francis Lackner was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Captain Fuchs to Major. But because the strength of the regiment had been reduced below the regulation amount and Lieutenant Colonel Winkler had not been allowed to be promoted to Colonel neither Lackner nor Fuchs could be mustered at their new rank.
  • First Lieutenant Joseph Mashauer was promoted to Captain of Company D.
  • First Lieutenant Andrew J. Fullerton was promoted to Colonel of Company F.
  • First Lieutenant William H. Hemschemeyer was promoted to Captain of Company I.
November 15-December 10

March to the Sea
December 10-21

Siege of Savannah
1865
January to April

Campaign of the Carolinas
February 2 Lawtonville, S.C.
February 11 First Lieutenant Caspar Buechner of Company E was promoted to Captain of Company K.
March 14 Reconnaissance on Goldsboro Road
March 16

Taylor’s Hole Creek, Averysboro, North Carolina

The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment lost 11 men killed and 12 wounded. Captain Charles Schmidt of Company B and First Lieutenant Friedrich B. Klein of Company C were killed.
March 19-21

Battle of Bentonville

The regiment was in reserve and was not engaged.
March 22 Mill Creek
March 24 Occupation of Goldsboro
April Assigned to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland
April 10-14 Advance on Raleigh
April 14 Occupation of Raleigh
April 26

Bennett’s House

Surrender of Johnston and his army.
April 29-May 17 March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va.
May 24 Grand Review
June 13 Left Washington by train for Wisconsin.
June 17 The 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment mustered out at Milwaukee.
June 29 The men marched to Camp Washburn, where they were paid off and discharged.