Recruitment and Training
The Second Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery (2nd Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery) was a unit that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. The battery was organized at La Crosse and mustered into service on September 10, 1861 at Racine, WI. Captain Charles Beger commanded the battery. It was equipped with six 10-pounder Parrott rifles, which were state-of-the-art artillery pieces at the time.
Service
The regiment moved to Baltimore, MD and was on garrison duty at Fort Monroe, VA until September, 1862. It moved to Camp Hamilton in Hampton, VA where it remained until January 10, 1863. The regiment participated in the Siege of Suffolk, VA from April 11-May 4, 1863. It later performed guard duties at Yorktown, VA and Point Lookout, MD. The battery’s service was officially ended on June 10, 1865, and its members were mustered out and returned to civilian life.
Casualties of the Second Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery
During the course of the war, the battery lost a total of 12 men, dying of 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.