8th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry

Brief History
The 8th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Madison, Wisconsin, and it was mustered in September 13, 1861. It was mustered out at Demopolis, Alabama, September 5, 1865.

For more information on the history of this unit, see:


 * The Civil War Archive section, 8th Regiment Infantry, (accessed 16 November 2012).
 * The Wikipedia Article, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, (accessed 16 November 2012).

Companies in this Regiment with the Counties of Origin
Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. After many battles, companies might be combined because so many men were killed or wounded. However if you are unsure which company your ancestor was in, try the company recruited in his county first.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,925 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

The following company links are to rosters taken from Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, found on the Internet Archives web site. The rosters show the men who served in each regiment, their residences, dates of enlistment and mustering out, and other remarks.

Company A - many men from Waupaca County - Roster page 578.

Company B - most men from Sheboygan County - Roster page 581.

Company C - many men from Eau Claire County - Roster page 583.

Company D - many men from Columbia County, Dodge County and Pierce County - Roster page 585.

Company E - many men from Dane County - Roster page 588.

Company F - many men from Crawford County, Vernon County and Sheboygan County - Roster page 590.

Company G - most men from Rock County - Roster page 592.

Company H - many men from Dane County and Green County - Roster page 594.

Company I - many men from Washington County, La Crosse County and Trempealeau County - Roster page 597.

Company K - many men from Racine County and Dane County - Roster page 600.

Unassigned Recruits Roster page 602.

Other Sources

 * Beginning United States Civil War Research gives steps for finding information about a Civil War soldier or sailor. It covers the major records that should be used. Additional records are described in 'Wisconsin in the Civil War' and 'United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865' (see below).


 * National Park Service, The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, is searchable by soldier's name and state. It contains basic facts about soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, a list of regiments, descriptions of significant battles, sources of the information, and suggestions for where to find additional information.


 * Wisconsin in the Civil War describes many Confederate and Union sources, specifically for Wisconsin, and how to find them.. These include compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865 describes and explains United States and Confederate States records, rather than state records, and how to find them. These include veterans’ censuses, compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * Baker, Charlotte Alice. Old Abe, the war eagle of Wisconsin. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Barrett, Joseph Osgood. History of "Old Abe", the live war eagle of the Eight Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993), and The soldier bird : "Old Abe," the live war-eagle of Wisconsin, that served a three years' campaign in the Great Rebellion. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Driggs, George W. Opening of the Mississippi, or, Two years campaigning in the South-west : a record of the campaigns, sieges, actions and marches in which the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers have participated : together with correspndence. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Flower, Frank Abial. Old Abe, the Eighth Wisconsin war eagle : full account of his capture and enlistment, exploits in war and honorable as well as useful career in peace. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Greene, J. Harvey. Reminiscences of the war : bivouacs, marches, skirmishes and battles : extracts from letter written home from 1861 to 1865. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Hobart, Ella E. G. (Ella E. Gibson). The dangers and temptations of army life. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Lyon, William Penn. Reminiscences of the Civil War. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Miles, S. C. The eagle of the regiment : a complete history of that famous bird, "Old Abe," the War Eagle, with thrilling battle scenes and incidents of fighting Joe Mower's invincible Second Brigade, and all different phases of the soldier's life in the Great Civil War of the Un. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Nelson, Charles P. Abe, the war eagle. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * United States. Army. Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865). Army life and stray shots. (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1993),.


 * Williams, John Melvin. The Eagle regiment, 8th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers : a sketch of its marches, battles and campaigns from 1861 to 1865. With a complete regimental and company roster, and a few portraits and sketches of its officers and commanders. (Washington, District of Columbia : Library of Congress, Photoduplication Service, 1976),.