Union Monuments - Wisconsin

2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

The monument to the Second Wisconsin Infantry Regiment is west of Gettysburg on Meredith Avenue. It was dedicated by the State of Wisconsin in 1888.
Location: 39.83555 N, 77.25387 W; see map

Markers for the regiment and for its Company F show their positions on Culp's Hill on July 2 and 3.
Location: 39.820135 N, 77.222713 W; see map

The five-sided symbol of the Iron Brigade tops the monument, which is also faced with a circle, the symbol of the Union First Army Corps. The red color of the circle denotes the 1st Division.

The 2nd Wisconsin was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel Lucius Fairchild. He was wounded on July 1st, losing his arm but surviving to later become Governor of Wisconsin. Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens had already been mortally wounded, and Major John Mansfield briefly took command of the regiment until he, too, was wounded. Captain George H. Otis then took command of the 69 men who were still fit for duty at the end of July 1.

Private Patrick Maloney of Company G captured Confederate General James Archer near Willoughby Run, the first of general officer of the Army of Northern Virginia to be captured in the war.

From the front of the monument:

2nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Inf.,
1st Brigade
1st Division
1st Corps

Position July 2 & 3 on Culp's Hill
Iron Brigade
July 1st 1863

From the left (north) side:

Effective strength
July 1st 1863
302.
----
Killed 26
Wounded 155
Missing 52
Aggregate 233

From the right (south) side:

Mustered into
U.S. Service
June 18, 1861

From the rear:

Total strength of Reg. 1272
Killed in Action 168
Wounded in Action 654
Died of Wounds 96
Died of Disease 86

From the regimental position marker on Culp's Hill:

2nd Wis. Regt.
July 2nd & 3d
1863

From the Company F position marker on Culp's Hill:

Co. F
2nd Wis. Vols.

By L.C. Cosmes
1883

See the Official Report of Major Mansfield on the 2nd Wisconsin in the Battle of Gettysburg

See more about the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in the Civil War