Organization
The 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Sigel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 7, 1863. The regiment left Wisconsin in March 1863 and proceeded to Columbus, Kentucky.
Active Duty
In late March, it was transferred to Snyders Bluff near Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it remained during the siege of Vicksburg.
After the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment moved to Helena, Arkansas, and then to Little Rock, Arkansas. The regiment spent most of its time in Arkansas. It remained in Little Rock until March 23, 1864, when it joined the Camden Expedition, which was designed to cooperate with the Red River Expedition under General Banks.
The 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment participated in several actions during the Camden Expedition, including the Battle of Prairie de Anne and the Battle of Jenkins Ferry. After the expedition, the regiment was almost continuously employed from Little Rock in various expeditions until February 7, 1865.
On February 7, 1865, the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment joined the Union forces at New Orleans under General Canby for the siege of Mobile, Alabama. The regiment took part in the reduction of Spanish Fort and witnessed the capture of Fort Blakely on April 9, 1865.
On May 9, 1865, the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment returned to New Orleans and was sent to the Rio Grande region in Texas. The regiment was on duty near the mouth of the Rio Grande until August 29, 1865, when it was mustered out of the service of the United States. The regiment reached Madison, Wisconsin, on September 17, 1865, and was disbanded shortly thereafter.
Casualties
During service the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment six officers and 67 Enlisted men who were killed and mortally wounded. Dying by disease were seven officers and 321 enlisted men.
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).