Organization
The Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (14th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) organized at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and mustered into the service of the United States on January 30, 1862. They left the State on March 8, reporting to General Grant at Savannah, Tennessee.
Active Duty
They reached Tennessee on March 28, 1862, then encamped there. On the 6 they moved to Pittsburg Landing and on the 7th, they engaged in the battle of Shiloh. After the battle, the Fourteenth remained at Pittsburg Landing as provost guard, participating in numerous expeditions. Later, they fought in the battle of Corinth on October 3 and 4, 1862.
In November, the Fourteenth joined the forces concentrating at Grand Junction, Tenn. for an advance on Vicksburg. After the Confederates destruction of the army stores collected at Holly Springs the Fourteenth, with other forces, participated in several expeditions in Tennessee. Afterwards, they moved to Memphis on January 13, 1863.
On the 17, they moved down the river to join the force operating against Vicksburg. On May 13th, they crossed the river below Vicksburg and participated in the movements of the Union forces. Then, on the 19 they took position in the trenches in the rear of Vicksburg. They continued to take part in the siege of that place until July 4, when the Confederates surrendered.
On July 14, they accompanied Ransoms Brigade and participated in the capture of Natchez, Miss. They would remain there until October, when the regiment returned to Vicksburg for duty.
Enlisting in December 1863 and January 1864 more than 50 members of the Oneida Nation comprised Companies F and G of the 14th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. In March 1864, the Fourteenth joined the forces assigned to the Red River Expedition. From March 10 to May 22, 1864, they participated in numerous minor engagements. In July, took part in Smith’s expedition to Tupelo, MS from July 5 to 21, 1864, and participated in the engagements July 13 through 15. After the return from that district, it was assigned to active service in northern Arkansas. In November 1864, the regiment was transferred to Nashville, Tenn., which was reached November 30. Then, they took part in the battle of Nashville from December 15 to 16, 1864.
After that battle the Fourteenth engaged in the pursuit of the Confederates until late January 1865, when the Regiment was transferred to New Orleans. In New Orleans, they were assigned to a position in the Sixteenth Army Corps. Together, they took part in the Mobile Campaign from March 17 to May 4, 1865. They also took part in the investment and capture of Spanish Fort from March 27 to April 8, 1865.
Company E. and members of other companies detached from the regiment in March 1864 and attached to Leggett’s division of the 17 Army Corps. Altogether, they participated in the battle of Atlanta, Savannah, Carolinas campaigns, and the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1865. They rejoined the regiment in Alabama, July 16, 1865. Afterwards, the Fourteenth performed guard duty in Alabama until October 1865. They mustered out on October 9, and reached Madison, Wisconsin, on October 22, 1865, where they discharged from the military service.
Casualties
The Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment lost 6 officers and 116 men to mortal wounds. They lost an additional 3 officers and 194 men to disease.
For Further Research
Search our collections for photos and artifacts from Wisconsin in the Civil War. Read about other Wisconsin Civil War regiments. For detailed regimental histories of the U.S. Civil War, consult the Frederick H. Dyer, Compendium of the War of the Rebellion: Regimental Histories.
The histories above, unless otherwise noted, are adopted from Charles E. Estabrook, ed., Records and Sketches of Military Organizations, (Madison, 1914).
