History
The Third Wisconsin Regiment has a very rich and fascinating history, and yet is still one of the most overshadowed and underrated of Wisconsin regiments. The original Third Wisconsin was referred to as the "common man" regiment, as its ranks were filled with men from all walks of civilian life. From farmers to lawyers, from millers to business owners; the variety of men was vast, but their purpose was not. They volunteered to do a job . . . to end the rebellion in the south and to keep this country united. But because they were common, their modesty prevented them from basking in the lymelight of glory like some other regiments. For this reason, little is known about this regiment, or its men — which is the reason this website has been established.
These pages are dedicated to those "common men" and the very uncommon things they did. As you visit each historic offering, you will soon discover why the Third Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers was one of the finest Wisconsin Regiments to ever fight in the Civil War!
A reporter from the New York Herald noted during the Grand Review:
"I saw soldiers who had traveled and fought in cold, heat and storm for four years or more follow down the sidewalk as they had followed the militia musters when they were boys, admiring the men who wore 'Red Stars'."*
* When the 3rd was with the Army of the Potomac, it was part of the 12th Corps, 1st Division. It's corps badge was a "Red Star". After the 12th Corps was reorganized into the 20th Corps in 1864, the old 12th Corps badge was adopted, and the 3rd Wisconsin kept their Red Stars throughout the war.
