Organization

The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Bragg in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and mustered into the service of the United States on September 25, 1862. The regiment left Wisconsin on October 30 and proceeded to Memphis, Tennessee.

Active Duty

The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was assigned to General Sherman's command, which was engaged in operations in southwestern Tennessee and northern Mississippi.

In January 1863, the regiment returned to Memphis and was assigned to patrol and provost duty in that territory and in the vicinity of Grand Junction.

In February 1864, the 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was assigned to the forces under General Sherman. The regiment participated in the Meridian Expedition into northern Mississippi from February 3 to March 6, 1864.

After returning to Memphis, the regiment was employed in guard and provost duty at various points in western Tennessee and on expeditions into northern Alabama. In early August, the regiment moved from Decatur, Alabama, to Georgia. The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment joined General Sherman's army near Atlanta, Georgia, on August 7, 1864, and continued with these forces until the final surrender of the Confederates under General Johnston on April 26, 1865, near Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment thus took part in the conclusion of the Atlanta Campaign, participating in many minor actions. The regiment was frequently under fire during the Siege of Atlanta, which was followed by the Battle of Jonesborough on August 31-September 1, 1864, and the Battle of Lovejoy's Station on September 2-5, 1864.

Leaving Atlanta on November 15, the regiment took part in the Savannah and Carolina Campaigns. The regiment participated in many skirmishes with the enemy and in the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, on March 19-20, 1865.

The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment then marched to Washington, D.C., with the army and took part in the Grand Review. The regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States on June 12, 1865, and returned to Milwaukee, where it was disbanded.

Casualties

During service the 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment lost one officer and 26 enlisted men who were killed and mortally wounded. One officer and 253 enlisted men died by 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).