Organization 

The Twenty-Second Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (22nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) organized at Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin, and mustered into the service of the United States on September 2, 1862.  They left Wisconsin on the 16 for Covington, KY.  

Active Duty 

In Covington, they were assigned to active duty as part of various expeditions into Kentucky in pursuit of the Confederate forces. These duties including expeditions to Lexington and Danville, to middle Tennessee, Nashville, and to Franklin. The 22nd first met the Confederates in force at Thompsons Station on March 5, 1863. Again, they met on March 25th and were compelled to surrender at Brentwood, TN. 

Subsequently, an exchange of prisoners was perfected, and the regiment was re-equipped at St. Louis in June. They returned to the field of operations about Nashville and Murfreesboro, where the 22nd remained until February 1864.  In April, they transferred to Chattanooga. On May 7, they took position in front of Buzzard Roost. With the Army of the Cumberland, they served in the Campaign of Atlanta from May 1 to September 8, 1864.  

As a part of this army, the 22nd participated in various minor engagements, including the battles of Resaca from May 14 to 15. They also engaged in action at Dalton, GA, on May 13, Kenesaw Mountain Operations from June 10 to July 3, the battle of Peach Tree Creek, GA, on July 20, and the battle of Atlanta, on July 21, 1864. 

On November 15, with Shermans Army, they began the "March to the Sea", which was concluded at Savannah on December 21, 1864.  With the Union forces the 22nd left Savannah January 2, 1865, and participated in the Campaign in the Carolinas. Later, they battled at Averasborough, NC on March 16, 1865, and were present at Bentonville. 

After the surrender of the Confederates under Gen. J. E. Johnston on April 26, 1865, the 22nd marched to Washington and participated in the Grand Review. They camped for a few days in the suburbs of Washington and mustered out of the service on June 12, 1865.  Later, they proceeded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the regiment disbanded. 

Casualties 

The Twenty-Second Wisconsin Infantry lost 2 officers and 75 men to mortal wounds and 3 officers and 163 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).