5th Wisconsin, Company A

WHO WE ARE

First and foremost, we are a family-oriented group, which means men, women and children. The bond that holds us together is a love of history and lasting friendships.

To get the real feel of history, you must try to live it. Books cannot describe the little and big things the soldiers and civilians experienced during the Civil War – the sounds, the feelings, the tastes, and believe or not, the smells. We do not honor war. We do honor the men who fought, especially our ancestors who suffered and died defending the rights we enjoy today. Our goal is to portray everyday life in the 1860’s as best we can.

Our longevity in the hobby allows us to teach in schools and give talks and programs, including fashion shows, to various organizations. The 5^th has a chaplain who gives Sunday services at reenactments. We also have a singing group that performs at churches, nursing homes, and other functions. We are always aware of what the youth is learning about this time in history. At Civil War events, we work directly with the youth.

The 5^th is very diverse, with both white and blue collar workers and homemakers.

Company A, 5^th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, originally called the Manitowoc Guards, was the first unit to muster out of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, in April 1861. They fought bravely until the end of the war in 1865.

The Flag of Company A,
Fifth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry
1861-2009

A brief background of the 5th Wisconsin
Arriving at Washington, July 26, 1861, it encamped on Meridian Hill, proceeding thence in September to Virginia, where it was attached to Hancock's Brigade. It took a prominent part in the "superb" action of Hancock's Brigade at Williamsburg, its casualties amounting to 8 killed, 70 wounded, and 1 missing. In February, 1863, the famous Light Division of the Sixth Corps, composed of picked regiments, was organized, General Calvin E. Pratt in command; the Fifth was one of the regiments thus selected. In the successful storming of Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863, the regiment took a leading part in the assault made by the Light Division, earning a reputation for dash and bravery, and sustaining the heaviest loss of any regiment engaged in the assault; its casualties in that action were 35 killed, 122 wounded, and 36 missing; total, 193. In the brilliant affair at Rappahannock Station, the regiment joined the Sixth Maine in its celebrated charge on the enemy's intrenchments, sharing the honors of the victory. Major Horace W. Wheeler fell, mortally wounded, in this charge, the loss in the regiment amounting to 10 killed and 49 wounded. The Fifth was ordered home for muster-out July 12, 1864; the men with unexpired terms were consolidated into a battalion of three companies, to which seven new companies were added in October.
Fox's Regimental Losses

Regimental Statistics.-
Original strength,1,058.
Gain-by recruits in 1863, 210, in 1864, 684, in 1865, 25;
by substitutes, 50; by draft in 1865 125;
by veteran reenlistments, 204;
total, 2,256.

Losses-deaths, 285; missing, 4;
desertion, 105; transferred, 33;
discharged, 405;
mustered out, 1,424.