7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment |
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| Active | September 2, 1861 – July 2, 1865 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel | Joseph Van Dor |
| Colonel | William W. Robinson |
| Lt. Col. | John Benton Callis |
| Colonel | Mark Finnicum |
| Lt. Col. | Hollon Richardson |
The 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a group of brave soldiers from Wisconsin who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were part of a very famous group called the Iron Brigade. This brigade was known for being tough fighters throughout the war. They served in the Army of the Potomac for the entire war.
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The 7th Wisconsin Soldiers
The 7th Wisconsin Regiment was formed in Madison, Wisconsin. The soldiers officially joined the national army on September 2, 1861.
Their Equipment
At first, the regiment used old .69 caliber muskets. These were smoothbore guns, meaning the inside of the barrel was smooth. They had been changed from flintlock to percussion style. In early 1862, they received better guns called Austrian Lorenz rifles. These rifles were changed to fit a standard .58 caliber Minie ball, which was a common type of bullet.
First Battles
The 7th Wisconsin first saw action at the Second Battle of Bull Run. This was a tough fight. After that, they fought in the Maryland Campaign. These early battles caused many soldiers to be injured or killed.
Fighting at Gettysburg
By June 1863, the 7th Wisconsin had not fought in a major battle for nine months. This changed at the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 1, 1863, the first day of the battle, the 7th Wisconsin helped push back a part of the Confederate army. They fought hard on a place called McPherson Ridge.
Later that day, they bravely defended their position before moving back to Seminary Ridge. When their larger group, the I Corps, moved to Cemetery Hill, the Iron Brigade and the 7th Wisconsin went to Culp's Hill. They dug in there, preparing for more fighting. They did not see much action for the rest of the battle. Later that year, the regiment also fought in the Bristoe Campaign and the Mine Run Campaign.
Later Years and End of Service
In the spring of 1864, many soldiers in the regiment chose to sign up for another three years of service. They then fought in the Overland Campaign and the long Siege of Petersburg.
The regiment took part in the Grand Review of the Armies on May 23, 1865. This was a big parade in Washington D.C. to celebrate the end of the war. The 7th Wisconsin officially left the army in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 2, 1865.
Soldiers and Losses
The 7th Wisconsin Infantry started with 973 men. Over time, 369 more men joined them, making a total of 1,342 soldiers.
Sadly, the regiment lost many men.
- 10 officers and 271 enlisted men were killed in battle or died later from their injuries.
- 143 enlisted men died from diseases.
In total, 424 soldiers from the 7th Wisconsin died during the war.
Leaders of the Regiment
The 7th Wisconsin had several important leaders during the war.
- Colonel Joseph Van Dor was the first commander from September 1861 to January 1862. He left to take a job in diplomacy.
- Colonel William W. Robinson took over in January 1862. He started as a lieutenant colonel and was hurt at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He also led the whole brigade for a time.
- Lt. Col. John Benton Callis commanded the regiment when Colonel Robinson was recovering from his injuries. He was shot at the Battle of Gettysburg and had to leave the army because of his wounds. After the war, he became a U.S. congressman.
- Colonel Mark Finnicum became commander in May 1864. He started as a captain. He was also wounded during the Overland Campaign and had to resign.
- Lt. Col. Hollon Richardson led the regiment from December 1864 until the end of the war. He started as a private soldier. He was recognized for his bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Important People from the 7th Wisconsin
Many soldiers from the 7th Wisconsin went on to do important things after the war.
- David Cooper Ayres was the regiment's doctor. After the war, he served as a lawmaker in Wisconsin.
- Joseph N. P. Bird was a first lieutenant. He was wounded and later became a captain. After the war, he also became a Wisconsin lawmaker.
- Allen R. Bushnell was a first lieutenant and then a captain. He became a Wisconsin lawmaker and a U.S. congressman.
- Jefferson Coates was a corporal and then a sergeant. He received the Medal of Honor for his brave actions at Gettysburg, where he lost his eyesight.
- Horace Ellis was a sergeant. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Globe Tavern.
- Martin C. Hobart was a captain. He was wounded and later captured. After the war, he became a Wisconsin lawmaker.
- Herman H. Hoffman was a corporal. After the war, he became a Wisconsin lawmaker.
- Henry G. Klinefelter was an enlisted soldier who later became an officer in another Wisconsin regiment. He became a Wisconsin lawmaker after the war.
- Albert O'Connor was a sergeant. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Five Forks.
- Henry Palmer was briefly a regiment doctor. He later became a chief doctor at a large army hospital. After the war, he was the mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin, and the Surgeon General of Wisconsin.
- Levi E. Pond was a captain. After the war, he became a Wisconsin lawmaker.
- John Scanlon joined the regiment in December 1864. He became a Wisconsin lawmaker after the war.
- Sidney Shufelt joined the regiment in December 1864. He became a Wisconsin lawmaker after the war.
- William Sickles was a sergeant. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Five Forks.
- George H. Walther was a captain. He was wounded and later served as a major and lieutenant colonel in other regiments. He became a Wisconsin lawmaker after the war.
Images for kids
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Colonel William W. Robinson
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1st Lieutenant Hollon Richardson around 1862
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Private Julian C. Lewis of Company B, 7th Regiment - killed in action at the Second Battle of Bull Run
