Organization
The Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (16th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) organized at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin, and their muster into the service of the United States was completed on the January 31, 1862. The Sixteenth left the state on March 13 for Pittsburg Landing, TN, which was reached on March 20.
Active Duty
When they reached Tennessee on March 10, 1862, they disembarked and went into camp. Then, they participated in the battle of Shiloh in April, being one of the first regiments to be attacked. Later, the Sixteenth took part in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, from April 29 to June 10. The siege was followed by duty at Corinth. Subsequently, they fought in the battle of Corinth from October 3 to 4.
Next, they joined Union forces gathered at Grand Junction, Tennessee for the advance on Vicksburg. In late January 1863, the Sixteenth embarked at Memphis and moved down the river to Lake Providence. There, a landing was made on February 1, 1863. At Lake Providence and Red Bone Church, Mississippi, the Sixteenth engaged in guard duty and minor expeditions until February 1864. At that time, they returned to Vicksburg.
On June 8, 1864, the regiment joined Sherman’s army near Acworth, Georgia, and moved to the front. At the front, they took part in the Army of the Tennessee's movements until the surrender of Atlanta. Afterwards, they participated in a series of actions including the battles of Atlanta on July 21, 1864, the battle of Jonesborough on September 1, 1864, and actions at Lovejoy Station on September 2, 1864. On November 15, 1864, they accompanied Sherman's Army on the "March to the Sea" entering Savannah on December 21, 1864.
In early January 1865, with the Army of the Tennessee, they started on the campaign in the Carolinas until the surrender of Johnston, April 26, 1865. They actively fought in many of the minor engagements of that campaign and in the battle of Bentonville from March 19 to 21, 1865. After the surrender of Johnston, the Sixteenth marched to Washington and participated in the Grand Review. Then, went into camp near the city. By this time a small portion of the men whose terms had expired mustered out. The remainder of the regiment transferred to Louisville, KY. They stayed in Kentucky until they mustered out on July 12. Later they returned to Madison, WI, and disbanded on August 1, 1865.
Casualties
The Sixteenth Infantry Regiment lost 6 officers and 141 men to mortal wounds, along with 4 officers and 248 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).
