8th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment | |
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Active | September 13, 1861 –September 5, 1865 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Union |
Branch | Infantry |
Size | Regiment |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Colonel | Robert C. Murphy |
Colonel | George W. Robbins |
Colonel | John W. Jefferson |
Colonel | William B. Britton |
Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments 1861-1865 | ||||
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The 8th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. They served in the western theater of the war, most notably in the Vicksburg campaign. The 8th Wisconsin Infantry was probably most famous for their military mascot, Old Abe, a bald eagle that accompanied the regiment into battle; Old Abe's legacy lives on through its likeness utilized in the 101st Airborne Division unit patch.
The 8th Wisconsin was raised at Madison, Wisconsin, and mustered into Federal service September 13, 1861. [1]
The regiment was mustered out on September 5, 1865, at Demopolis, Alabama. [1]
The 8th Wisconsin Infantry along with their mascot Old Abe The War Eagle attended numerous battles and lesser engagements during the war: [2]
The 8th Wisconsin initially mustered 870 men and later recruited an additional 333 men, for a total of 1,203 men. [4] The regiment lost 2 officers and 53 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 2 officers and 219 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 280 fatalities. [5]
Company | Original Moniker | Primary Place of Recruitment | Captain(s) |
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A | Waupuca Union Rifles [6] | Waupaca County [7] |
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B | Sheboygan County Indepdendents [6] | Sheboygan County [8] |
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C | Eau Claire Eagles [6] | Eau Claire County [9] |
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D | Fox Lake Volunteer Rifles [6] | Columbia County, Dodge County, and Pierce County [10] |
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E | Rough and Ready Guards [6] | Dane County [11] |
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F | Carwford County Volunteers [6] | Crawford County, Vernon County, and Sheboygan County [12] |
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G | Janesville Fire Zouaves [6] | Rock County [13] |
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H | Sugar River Rifles [6] | Dane County and Green County [14] |
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I | La Crosse County Rifles [6] | Washington County, La Crosse County, and Trempealeau County [15] |
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K | Racine County Volunteers [6] | Racine County and Dane County [16] |
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