Twenty-first Infantry WISCONSIN (3-YEARS) Cols., Benjamin J. Sweet, Harrison C Hobart, Michael H. Fitch, Majors, Frederick Schumacher, Michael H. Fitch, Charles H. Walker.  This regiment was organized at Camp Bragg, Oshkosh, and was mustered in Sept. 5, 1862. It left the state Sept. 11, being sent to Covington, Ky., for the defense of Cincinnati. It participated in the battle of Perryville in the 28th brigade, and after a march of 12 miles on the day of the battle, was placed by mistake in an exposed position alone, subject to the fire of both friend and foe. It escaped utter destruction by breaking ranks, then rallied and took position in line of battle. It lost 179 in killed, wounded and missing, Maj. Schumacher being among the killed. It performed guard and provost duty at Mitchellville until Dec. 7, when it was ordered to Nashville. With its brigade it repulsed an attack on the supply wagons by 3,500 of Wheeler's cavalry at Jefferson, the burden of the attack falling on the 21st. Gen. Rousseau said: "This regiment, led by its efficient commander (Hobart), behaved like veterans." It went into the battle of Stone's River the following day, was sent to the extreme front, and for 3 days held position under a heavy fire. It encamped at Murfreesboro during the winter and spring, moved south with the Army of the Cumberland in June into Alabama and Georgia and arrived at Chickamauga in time to take part in the second day's fight. It "never faltered during the whole day, but often the second line would have to face about and drive away the rebels from the rear." On being ordered to retire it fell back "only to the second line of works, where, still fighting, surrounded by the enemy, Lieut.Col. Hobart and about 70 officers and men were captured." The regiment was in reserve at Missionary Ridge and then was stationed on the summit of Lookout Mountain until the spring of 1864. It was in the advance on Resaca in May, 1864, and was the last to retire in the evening. At Dallas it remained for 6 days under fire, its skirmishers being within 50 paces of those of the enemy. The regiment followed Johnston in his retreat from Dallas to Kennesaw Mountain, where it charged the enemy's skirmish line and gained position within 150 paces of the main line of Confederate works. It was in siege, fatigue and guard duty until the fall of Atlanta, took part in the battle of Jonesboro, and then went into camp at Atlanta. On Oct. 1 it was attached to the 1st brigade 1st division, 14th army corps, and pursued Gen. Hood northward. It then rejoined Sherman's army, took part in the march to the sea the siege of Savannah, the Carolina campaign and the march to Richmond. It participated in the grand review at Washington and was mustered out there on June 8, 1865. Its original strength was 1,002. Gain by recruits, 169; total, 1,171. Loss by death, 288; desertion, 40; transfer, 99, discharge, 261; mustered out, 483.

Grand Review in Washington D. C., May 23, 1865

Sources: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 02/26/1920, Family Records