Organization 

The organization of the Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (19th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) started at Racine, Wisconsin, in December 1861, and continued until April 20, 1862. After, the regiment transferred to Camp Randall to guard rebel prisoners.  When the organization was perfected, the Nineteenth mustered into the service of the United States on April 30, 1862.  The rebel prisoners were transferred to Chicago and the Nineteenth left the state on June 2 for Washington, D.C. 

Active Duty 

 From there, they continued to Norfolk, VA, and went into camp June 6.  The next day they started service in earnest, periodically engaging in a large number of movements in southeastern Virginia. In October 1862, their field of operation transferred to Newburn, NC. The regiment stayed in the area until April 1864, when they were recalled to Virginia and assigned to the Eighteenth Army Corps. There, they became a part of the army of the James, whom they joined on April 28 at Yorktown.  

Later, the Nineteenth participated in the movements of the Army of the James against Richmond in 1864 to 1865.  Their principal engagements were the Assault on Petersburg on June 30, and the battle of Fair Oaks from October 27 to 28, 1864.  In December 1864, the Nineteenth was transferred to the Twenty Fourth corps. After, they participated in the final assault on Petersburg on April 3, 1865.  Following, they were assigned duty and entered Richmond, VA as Provost Guard, where they remained throughout April.   

They transferred during the summer to several points in the state until August 9, 1865, when the Nineteenth mustered out of the service of the United States.  Later, they returned to Madison on the 15, and was disbanded August 27, 1865. 

Casualties 

The Nineteenth Regiment lost 2 officers and 41 enlisted men to mortal wounds, and 3 officers and 115 enlisted 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).