The following historical information is about the service of both the company, regiment, and the men, of the "National Zouaves" of the First (1st) Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, which served in the American Civil War from April 1861 to October 1864. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or additional information that you wish to contribute, feel free to submit the information to the Webmaster.

The First Regiment, for three months service, was organized at Camp Scott, Milwaukee, in April, 1861, mustered into the United States service, and left the State for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1861. The following was the regimental roster: Colonel - John C. Starkweather; Lieutenant Colonel - Charles L. Harris; Major - David H. Lane; Adjutant - A.R. Chapin; Quartermaster - D.W. Keyes; Surgeon - B.F. White; First Assistant Surgeon - Lucius J. Dixon; Second Assistant Surgeon - James Crugom.

Arriving at Allatoona, on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, Colonel Starkweather found a dispatch ordering him to report with his regiment to General Patterson, at Chambersburg, at which place he arrived on the 12th of June, where his regiment went into Camp McClure, and remained until the 16th when they moved to Hagerstown, Maryland. Here the regiment was attached to the brigade of Colonel Abercrombie.

The rebel General Johnston had posted a force opposite Williamsburg, to watch the movements of General Patterson, with orders to retire on his approach, without making an attempt to bring on an engagement.

On the 2d of July, General Patterson, with his force, crossed the river, the First Wisconsin being in the advance of the infantry. Throwing out skirmishers, the regiment advanced, preceded by McMullen's rangers, and followed by the Eleventh Pennsylvania and a section of artillery. Marching a few miles towards Martins-burg, the enemy under Colonel Jackson was encountered posted across the road at Porterfield's farm, with four pieces of artillery. The six right companies of the First Wisconsin were deployed to the right and left of the road as skirmishers, supported by the other four companies on the road. The skirmishers, assisted by the fire of the artillery, turned the enemy's right, and routed them from the woods. The rest of the regiment was then deployed as skirmishers, and joined in the pursuit of the enemy, who was followed for about two miles, when Patterson's forces halted and encamped.

This affair possessed importance at the time, from the fact that it was the first engagement of Wisconsin troops with the rebels. The first Wisconsin soldier killed in the rebellion was George Drake, of Company A, of Milwaukee. The first man wounded was Color Bearer Fred. Huchting, of Company E, of Madison. Sergeant W. M. Graham, of Company B, was wounded in three places, and died of his injuries. William Mathews, F. Plummer and Henry Young, of Company G, were also wounded. Sol. Wise, of Company K, was taken prisoner. The first shot fired at the rebels was made by Philo Jones, of Company K, as we are informed by General Proudfit.

The regiment and its gallant Colonel were highly complimented by Major General Patterson and Colonel Abercrombie for the bravery and coolness displayed in this their first action with the enemy.

The short period of service of this regiment did not afford active duty in the field sufficient to build up much of a history, the skirmish at Falling Waters, so called, being the only action in which it was engaged. Our sketch, therefore, is necessarily brief.

On the 3d of July, General Patterson's forces moved to Martinsburg, where they remained until the 15th, engaged in getting forward supplies. While here, the regiment was presented with a flag by the ladies of Martinsburg. On the 15th, Patterson moved his forces towards Bunker Hill. Here the regiment was placed in line of battle until the 17th, when the whole force marched towards Winchester, in expectation of a battle, but when about five miles from that place, they were ordered to file to the left, and about 11 o'clock at night, found themselves at Charlestown, 22 miles east of Winchester. General Patterson abandoned the attempt to hold Johnston in check, as ordered by General Scott, and thus the rebels were enabled to reinforce Beauregard on the battle-field of Bull Run. Remaining at Charlestown till the 21st, the march was resumed, and the regiment proceeded to Harper's Ferry, where orders were received by Colonel Starkweather to proceed to the Monocacy River, for the purpose of guarding the canal and fords in that vicinity. Here nothing of importance occurred, until the 12th of August, when orders were received from General Banks for the regiment to proceed to Wisconsin for muster out, its term of service having expired. Proceeding to Wisconsin, the regiment arrived at Milwaukee, and was mustered out on the 21st of August.

Although not engaged in any action of very great importance, the three months of discipline and experience in the field of this regiment was productive of much good, in affording Governor Randall an opportunity to avail himself of the services of many of its members in officering the new regiments afterwards organized.

Regimental Statistics - Original strength, 810. Losses - deaths, 3; desertions, 5; transfers, 7; discharged, 76; mustered out, 719.

On the return of the First Regiment to Wisconsin, it was reorganized, and its muster into the United States service completed on the 9th of October, 1861, and was ordered to proceed to Louisville, and report to General W.T. Sherman. The following was the regimental roster: Colonel - John C. Starkweather; Lieutenant Colonel - David H. Lane; Major - George B. Bingham; Adjutant- Henry L. Franklin; Quartermaster - Harry Bingham; Surgeon- Lucius J. Dixon; First Assistant Surgeon - James Crugom ; Second Assistant Surgeon - Daniel B. Devendorff; Chaplain- James McNamara.

Leaving Camp Scott, Milwaukee, on the 28th of October, the regiment arrived at Jeffersonville, Indiana, opposite Louisville, on the 30th, and went into camp two miles below the former place. Remaining there until the 14th of November, they crossed to Louisville, embarked on the steamer Baltic, and landed at West Point, at the mouth of Salt River, moving thence on the 3d of December to Camp Negley, south of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where the regiment was assigned to the Seventh Brigade, General Negley, in General McCook's division. After rebuilding the railroad bridge at Bacon Creek, the regiment moved to Camp Wood, near Nashville, on Green River, and remained there until the 14th of February, 1862, when it marched with the division for Nashville, arriving opposite that place, at Edgefield, on the 2d of March. Here Colonel Starkweather was appointed Provost Marshal. Two companies were retained for provost guard duty, and the rest of the regiment crossed the river and went into camp three miles south of Nashville, at Camp Andy Johnson.

On the 8th, while on picket on a road known as Granny White's Pike, Company B, consisting of thirty men, under Lieutenant White, was attacked by about two hundred rebels. The company rallied and gallantly opposed the enemy, at the same time retiring before their superior numbers, leaving three of their number wounded on the field. After Company B had left the field, Company C, which was stationed in the vicinity, came up to support them, and, holding the enemy in check, brought off the wounded. The two first died of their wounds, being the first Union soldiers killed in Tennessee. On returning to their first position, Company C found their knapsacks and blankets burnt by the enemy.

The regiment marched to Columbia, on the 2d of April, where Captain Green, of Company K, was appointed Provost Marshal, with his company as Provost Guard. On the 5th of April, Colonel Starkweather was appointed to the command of a brigade, to which the First "Wisconsin was assigned. He moved with the brigade to Bigley Creek, Tenn., where he remained till the 3dof May, engaged in keeping open the communications. On the10th, the brigade marched with Negley's division, to Rogersville, Alabama, arriving there on the 13th. An attempt by the enemy to cutoff" the trains, was frustrated by Starkweather's command. Leaving Rogersville on the 14th, they made a forced march to Bahlbridge Ferry, on the Tennessee River. The rebel cavalry had recently landed on the opposite shore, and a squad of the First Wisconsin crossed, under the fire of the brigade battery, and brought over the ferry boats, which were destroyed. The com-mand moved to Florence on the 16th, but the next day was ordered to return to Columbia, which it did, and went into camp, five miles south of that place on the 20th, having marched ninety-five miles in three and a-half days. Moving to Calioka Station on the 25th, Companies A, B, G, and K, of the First, under command of Major Bingham, were sent with an expedition to Chattanooga, and arrived there on the 8th of June. These companies rejoined the regiment at Stevenson, Ala., it having arrived there on the 25th.The companies under Major Bingham, had marched 270 miles, over a very rough country, and many days were on half rations. From June 29th, to August 18tli, the regiment was stationed, first at Battle Creek, and subsequently at Mooresville, Ala., near Huntsville. General Bragg commenced his march into Kentucky, and on the 19th of August, Colonel Starkweather, underorders, embarked the First Wisconsin on the cars for Nashville, arriving there, crossing the river and encamping at Edgefield, on the 20th.

Here the Twenty-eighth Brigade was organized, and placed under the command of Colonel Starkweather, to which the First Wisconsin was assigned. Here also, Lieutenant Colonel Lane resigned, and Major Bingham was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain H.A. Mitchell, as Major. The brigade was placed in Rousseau's division of McCook's corps. With the rest of Buell's forces, the regiment marched to Louisville, where it arrived on the 28th of September. At Louisville, the Twenty-first Wisconsin, Colonel Sweet, was added to Colonel Starkweather's brigade.

Taking part in the general movement against Bragg, the regiment left Louisville on the 1st of October, and with the brigade, encamped near BIackville on the evening of the 7th. In the morning, march was resumed, and Colonel Starkweather, with his brigade, proceeded twelve miles, to near Perryville, where the enemy was found in force. Immediately forming his com-mand on the extreme left of the forces of General Rousseau, Colonel Starkweather was soon engaged with the enemy. Jackson's division was a short distance in his front, and received the first onset of the rebels, who succeeded in breaking Jackson's lines, and forcing his men to retire through and over the Twenty-first Wisconsin, which had been stationed about one hundred yards in advance of Starkweather's main line at the foot of the hill. Generals Jackson and Terrill, were both killed, and their demoralized forces passed to the rear through the lines of General Starkweather. The First Wisconsin held the extreme left of the line. Starkweather's troops closed up, and as the enemy approached, they were met by a spirited fire from the Twenty-first Wisconsin, stationed in the advance. Colonel Sweet was soon severely wounded, and Major Schumacher was killed, leaving the regiment without a field officer to execute the orders of Colonel Starkweather. The enemy pouring in on their flanks, they were compelled to retire, which occasioned some confusion in their ranks.

The First Wisconsin was immediately advanced to the front, supported by an oblique fire from the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, and with the assistance of artillery, the position was held, until the artillery horses were killed, or became unmanageable. The regiments of the brigade were ordered to hold the ground while the guns could be withdrawn. This was done, and the guns were placed in a safer position, and again opened fire. About this time a dash was made by a portion of the First Wisconsin, and the flag of the First Tennessee was captured, Private Eice, of Company H, seizing it and bearing it in triumph into the ranks of the First Wisconsin. The fire of the Twenty-fourth Illinois, and Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, held the enemy in check while the First Wisconsin took by hand, every remaining gun and caisson from the field. By this time the firing had ceased, the enemy were routed, and the brigade returned to the support of its new position. This is known as the battle of Perryville, or Chaplin Hills.

Generals McCook and Rousseau highly complimented the com-mand of Colonel Starkweather, and the former accorded to it the honor and glory of having saved the left of the army.

The flag of the First was riddled with balls, and the flagstaff severed in two places. The color sergeant was wounded badly, and all the color guard were killed or wounded but three. Private James S. Durham, of Company F, seized the colors after the color bearer fell, and gallantly bore them through the engagement.

For the service rendered in withdrawing the guns, the regiment received the thanks of the Battery, and subsequently a full compliment of colors and guidons, were presented to it by Indiana troops, as a recognition of the bravery displayed in rescuing the guns of an Indiana Battery.

The First, with the rest of the Brigade, pursued Bragg as far as Crab Orchard, where the chase was given up. Returning, the command marched by the way of Lebanon and Bowling Green, to Mitchelville, on the Nashville Railroad, and engaged in guard and provost duty until the 7th of December, when it marched to camp Andy Johnson, near Nashville.

General Rosecrans had been appointed to succeed General Buell, and had reorganized the army into the Fourteenth Army Corps, the right wing under General McCook, the center under General Thomas, and the left under General Crittenden. In General Thomas' command, the division of General Rousseau was placed.

Participating in the movement of General Rosecrans towards Murfreesboro, Colonel Starkweather's brigade was detached to guard supply trains. On the 30th of December, the train was attacked by Wheeler's cavalry, which succeeded in dividing it, and burning several wagons, but were soon repulsed, with a loss of 83, killed, wounded and prisoners. Next day, about 5 o'clock, P. M., the brigade reported to General Rousseau, on the battle field of Stone River. The day had been occupied in severe fighting. During the three subsequent days, Rousseau's division was held as a reserve, and in consequence, the brigade did not suffer much in killed or wounded, being engaged in supporting batteries, skirmishing with the enemy, and making rifle pits. As many of the commissary wagons had been destroyed by the enemy, the troops suffered from want of rations, many of them having nothing; to eat but raw corn. The horse of Lieutenant Starkweather was killed by a cannon ball on the 1st of January, and being in good condition, was cut up, and partaken of by many of the soldiers. The weather was severely cold and rainy, and the ground muddy. The shot of the enemy often compelled the troops to lie on the ground in the mud.

After the battle, the Regiment went into camp near Murfreesboro, and was employed in the usual routine of picket, fatigue, forage and drill duties.

Three corps were organized in the army on the 9th of January, 1863; the Fourteenth, General Thomas - Twentieth, General McCook—Twenty-first, General Crittenden. Rousseau's division was numbered the First, in the Fourteenth Corps, and Stark-weather's brigade numbered Third, in the division, but was changed to Second, on the 28th of April.

Colonel Starkweather, in January, returned the flag of the First to Governor Salomon. It was presented to the Regiment by Governor Randall, in 1861, and now stands in its place in the State Capitol, a proud monument of the brave deeds performed under its shadow.

On the 24th of June, the First Wisconsin, with the brigade and division, took part in Rosecrans' movement against General Bragg, driving his troops from Hoover's Gap, turning his position at Tullahoma, and following his fleeing forces to the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, permitting him to retire to Chattanooga, while the victorious arms of Rosecrans, congregated around Cowan's Station, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, where a halt was made, in order to establish railroad communications, and prepare for a further demonstration.

On the 17th of July, Colonel Starkweather was appointed Brigadier General, and was mustered out of service as Colonel of the First Wisconsin, still retaining his command of the Second Brigade.

The next move of General Rosecrans against the enemy, commenced on the 2d of September, when the Fourteenth Corps, to which General Starkweather's brigade belonged, began its march across the Tennessee River, and over the mountains, into the vicinity of Trenton, Georgia, where it arrived on the 10th, and camped near Stevens' Gap.

On the next day. Starkweather's brigade, with the division, was ordered forward to the support of General Negley's division, about five miles in advance, near Dug Gap. Skirmishing as they advanced, the brigade attained a position between Negley's troops and the enemy, under a severe fire. This position they gallantly held, resisting the repeated efforts of the enemy to dislodge them, until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when a retrograde movement commenced, and the brigade was ordered to cover the retreat. This duty was admirably performed. General Starkweather succeeding in resisting all attempts of the enemy to break his lines, or drive in his skirmishers, and successfully covering the retreat of General Negley's force, and securing the safety of his own command, with only the loss of two killed, one of them, however, Lieutenant Robert J. Nickles, was a serious loss to General Starkweather, being a member of his staff, and highly esteemed by him.

The brigade bivouacked in line of battle, near Stevens' Gap, where they remained until the 17th, when the division moved to Owen's Gap, and next day to Crawfish Springs, and on the 19th took position on the battle field of Chickamauga.

We have described the battle of Chickamauga, in our chapter on general military operations, and shown the movements of General Baird's division, during the two days of battle. The First Wisconsin, with the brigade, went to the relief of Colonel Croxton, of Brannan's division, who was out of ammunition, and took position in front, where they were attacked by an over-whelming force of the enemy, who approached on the right flank, and compelled a change in the position of the brigade. Here the enemy struck the line on the right and front, with such over-whelming force, as to compel the command to retire to a ridge directly in the rear, leaving part of their artillery. The enemy was attacked in the rear and flank, and driven from the field, and the missing guns were recovered. The brigade closed np on the First and Third brigades, of Baird's division, to the support of General Johnson's division. Being ordered to the support of the first line in front, whose ammunition was failing, the movement of the brigades of the division in the darkness, became confused .The darkness was intense, and, by mistake, one of the brigades opened fire upon Starkweather's brigade, from the rear and flank, which occasioned a portion of Johnson's force to fire into their right, mistaking them for the enemy, while the enemy's fire met them in front. The brigade was therefore compelled to retire, in order to reform, which was done, and it bivouacked in an open field, near General Johnson's train.

On the morning of the 20th, the command moved to a ridge, and took position, forming two lines, and throwing up barricades of trees in front of each line, with artillery in the center and on the left, and covered on the right by an Iowa battery. Skirmishers were kept in front of these barricades, returning to the attack as often as they were driven back. This position was held by the brigade nearly all day, until peremptory orders were received to fall back as well as possible. In doing so, the second line retired first. Just as this was discovered by the first line, the enemy charged in front with the bayonet, supported by his batteries, which occasioned the first line to give way, and a portion only rallied at a point where General Willich's command rested, about sunset. From there the command moved to Chattanooga. On nearing the town, the order was countermanded, and a position was reassigned the brigade at the front, where it remained until the 22d, when, with the balance of the division, it was ordered to cover the retreat of the army to Chattanooga, going into bivouac near that place.

General Starkweather was wounded in the leg by a piece of shell, but remained in command of the brigade until the army retired into Chattanooga.

In the movement on Mission Ridge, on the 25th of November, the brigade was held as a reserve, and joined in the pursuit of the flying enemy, as far as Stevens' Gap, when they returned to Chattanooga. Late in 1863, about 400 drafted men were as-signed to the regiment, and about 70 recruits joined it early in1864, but these did not increase the aggregate of the regiment sufficiently to warrant the muster of a Colonel, and consequently it remained under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bingham, although he was commissioned as Colonel.

On the 13th of January, General Starkweather was ordered to Washington on Court Martial duty, and all his connection with the First Wisconsin ceased. The regiment accompanied the Fourteenth Corps, in February 1864, in the feint on Dalton, to favor General Sherman's Meridian Expedition, and subsequently encamped at Grayville, Georgia, until the 2d of May.

In the reorganization of the army in 1864, the First Regiment, under the command of Lieut. Col, Bingham, retained its position in the Third Brigade, First Division, Brigadier Gen. I.W. Johnson, Fourteenth Army Corps, and moved to Ringgold, Georgia, where the Fourteenth Corps was concentrating preparatory to the commencement of the celebrated Atlanta campaign.

On the 7th of May, the march commenced, and the division occupied a position in the vicinity of Dalton, exposed to the occasional fire of the enemy, until the 12th, when the Fourteenth Corps marched to Resaca by Snake Creek Gap, and took position in the intrenchments before that place. On the 14th, the brigade advanced to charge the enemy's works in two lines, but being unsupported, were unable to carry the position. The First being in the second line, suffered a loss only of five wounded. The enemy evacuated Resaca on the night of the15th, and were soon followed by the Union forces. The First, with the brigade, followed in the pursuit, and confronted the enemy at Pumpkin Vine Creek, near Dallas, on the 27th, and on the next day advanced, driving in the rebel skirmishers. On the30th, an attack was made by a part of Hood's corps, on their position, which was repulsed after a severe engagement, the First losing four killed, and twenty-eight wounded.

From the 1st of June, till the 17th, the regiment, with the brigade, occupied several positions near Ackworth, for the most of the time, in line of battle. On the 17th, they took part in a severe skirmish of the picket lines near Big Shanty, and next day drove the enemy's skirmishers to the main line, taking many prisoners. The enemy retreated and the army moved forward in front of their new position, near Kennesaw Mountain. Here they remained until the 3d of July, under the most terrific fire of artillery and sharpshooters, (Changing positions frequently, but were not engaged in any of the charging columns, which have rendered this position famous for bloody warfare.

The Fourteenth Corps moved in pursuit of the enemy, towards the Chattahoochie, on the 5th of July, and on the 11th, the brigade was ordered to push the enemy across the river, which was accomplished without loss, they retiring from the north bank, crossing and setting fire to the bridges. On the 16th, march was resumed, and the brigade crossed the Chattahoochie, at Saskes' Ferry, and advancing, drove the enemy across Peach Tree Creek, on the 18th. In the battle of Peach Tree Creek, on the 20th, the attack on our lines did not quite reach the brigade. The First was compelled to lie on the crest of a ridge in very unpleasant proximity to the flying shot and shell.

In the investment of Atlanta, the regiment was employed in fatigue and skirmish duty, until the 26th of August, when they left the trenches and took part in the movement to the west and south of Atlanta.

In this grand movement on the enemy's communications, the First Wisconsin, accompanied the Fourteenth Corps, of General Palmer, and took part in the destruction of the railroad. Having completed this work, they marched, on the 30th of August, towards Jonesboro, which they reached on the 1st of September. The Fourteenth Corps took position on the left of the army of the Tennessee, and joined in the assault upon the enemy in his works, which were carried after about two hours hard fighting. The First Wisconsin, which had been engaged in destroying the railroad, came up and rejoined the brigade, taking position in the second line. A portion of the first line having failed to advance, the First Wisconsin, led by Major Green, rapidly went forward under a severe fire, and drove the enemy from the brigade front, and held the position until dark, the enemy retiring to Lovejoy's Station. They remained in line of battle till the 6th, when the army started on its return to Atlanta, the brigade acting as rear guard. The enemy was kept at a respectful distance, and the brigade went into camp near Atlanta, on the 8th of September.

On the 1st of September, an order w-as issued by the War Department, for the transfer of all recruits and veterans to the Twenty-first Wisconsin.

On the 16th of September, orders were received from the War Department, assigning the First Wisconsin to the Fourth Division of the Twentieth Corps. The transfer of the veterans, drafted men, and recruits, having been completed on the 21st of September, the First Wisconsin left Atlanta, and moved by way of Bridgeport and Stevenson, to Nashville, where they went into camp. The term of service of the regiment having expired, they left Nashville on the 6th of October, and arrived on the 8th, at Milwaukee, where they met an enthusiastic reception on the part of the citizens. The necessary muster out rolls were made and the muster out of the last company effected on the 21st of October.

Regimental Statistics - Original strength, 945; gain by recruits in 1863, 75; in 1864, 66; gain by draft in 1863, 407; veteran reenlistments, 15; total, 1508. Losses— deaths, 219; missing, 10; desertions, 57; transfers, 47; discharged, 298; mustered out, 877.

The National Zouaves were organized at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in August & September 1861 by Henry A. Starr, with volunteers being drawn largely from Milwaukee County. Starr had served as the Captain of the 'Juneau Guards' of the Wisconsin Militia starting in 1858, however, at the start of the war the company disbanded and its members went into several other companies, while Starr and a core group organized the new company. With the necessary recruits, and passing the physical examinations, the company reported at Camp Scott in Milwaukee, in September and were mustered into United States service on October 8th, 1861, for three years' service as Company D of the First (1st) Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment; replacing the original Company D (The Black Yagers) which had failed to reorganize after the end of their original three months term of service. At the time the company selected as its officer Captain Henry A. Starr, 1st Lieutenant William S. Mitchell and 2nd Lieutenant Charles H. Messenger.

Serving with the regiment throughout its battles and campaigns, the original three years' term of enlistment expired, and on September 19th, 1864, those members whose terms were unexpired, or who had re-enlisted as veteran volunteers, were transferred to the Twenty-First (21st) Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the majority being assigned to Company I, where they would complete their terms. Parting ways with their comrades, the company returned with the regiment o Wisconsin, and were officially mustered out of United States service at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 14th, 1864, under the command of Captain Charles H. Messenger. Of those discharged, most would return home to their families, while several others would re-enlist in other commands, such as Captain Messenger who accepted an appointment as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Research Pending

Captain Charles H. Messenger (The Signal Corps)	Corporal William H.H. Wicker (Find-A-Grave)	Musician James Crugom ('Chicago Tribune')	Private Bradford V. Gardner (Find-A-Grave)