The following historical information is about the service of both the company, regiment, and the men, of the "Milwaukee Zouaves" of the Fifth (5th) Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, which served in the American Civil War from July 1861 to July 1865. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or additional information that you wish to contribute, feel free to submit the information to the Webmaster.

This regiment was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, and was mustered into the United States service on the 13th of July, 1861, and left the State July 26th for Washington. The following was the roster of the regiment: Colonel - Amasa Cobb; Lieutenant Colonel - H.W. Emery; Major - Charles H. Larrabee; Adjutant - Theodore S. West; Quartermaster - John G. Clark; Surgeon - A.L. Castleman; First Assistant Surgeon - George D. Wilbur; Second Assistant Surgeon - C.E. Crane; Chaplain - Rev. Robert Langley.

They arrived at Washington on the 8th of August, and were assigned to the brigade of General King, and went into camp on Meridian Hill.

With the brigade, the regiment, on the 3d of September, marched to Chain Bridge, where the Second and Fifth Wisconsin, and Nineteenth Indiana, crossed to the Virginia side, and were placed temporarily under command of General Smith, and were employed in the construction of fortifications, outpost duty, and the usual camp duties. During the month, the regiment was transferred from King's brigade, to that of General Winfield S. Hancock, in General Smith's division, and went into winter quarters at " Camp Griffin," near Lewinsville, where it remained, engaged in picket and outpost duty, until the 10th of March, 1862,when the brigade and division took part in the advance of McClellan against Manassas, proceeding as far as Fairfax Court House, and on the news of the evacuation of the rebel position, marched to Alexandria, and embarked in the famous Peninsula campaign of General McClellan, being part of the Fourth ArmyCorps, under General Keyes. They disembarked at Hampton, opposite Fortress Monroe, and on the 27th, the brigade made a reconnaissance in force, and drove the enemy, and camped within their lines. On the 4th of April, they advanced to Young's Mills, driving the rebels before them, and on the 6th, Company F, Captain Bean, had a brush with the enemy, routed him, and had one man wounded.

The command advanced opposite the enemy's fortifications, on Warwick River, near Lee's Mills, which was the center of the enemy's line of works. An attack was made on a strong fort of the rebels, near Lee's Mills, on the 16th, in which the Fifth took no part, but afterwards took position in the rear of a battery, which had been posted opposite the fort.

On the 3d of May, the rebels evacuated their works around Yorktown, and retreated towards "Williamsburg. "With the rest of the army, the Fifth marched, on the 4th, in pursuit of the enemy. The roads were almost impassable, from the swampy character of the ground. At night, they bivouacked near Whittaker's plantation, three miles from Williamsburg. Next day, at eight o'clock. General Hooker commenced the battle of Williamsburg, on the left. At 10 o'clock. General Hancock's brigade was sent to the right, to make an attack on the enemy's left. With the Fifth Wisconsin in the advance, the brigade reached Queen's Creek, and found, on the opposite side, an earthwork. The Fifth Wisconsin was ordered to cross, and occupy the work, which was done. A second earth work about 800 yards from the first, was also found to be abandoned. These works proved to be within range of three similar works, which were filled with the enemy's infantry and sharpshooters, who opened a galling fire on the skirmishers thrown out by Colonel Cobb, which consisted of Companies A, E, and G, under command of Captain Bugh. Pursuant to orders. Colonel Cobb advanced four hundred yards from the main line, and sent forward Companies D and K, as support for his skirmish line, under Lieutenant Colonel Emery. The battery took position near some farm buildings, and opened on the enemy's works, and Colonel Cobb, with the other five companies, acted as support, being covered by a slight elevation, his men lying down to avoid the enemy's shots. About half past four o'clock, the enemy opened fire on his skirmish line, and soon advanced, the skirmishers slowly retiring. The battery immediately limbered up, and passed to the rear. The skirmishers checked the cavalry advance, and Colonel Cobb formed line of battle with his five companies, and opened fire on the advancing infantry. Here receiving an order to " fall back fighting," Colonel Cobb gradually withdrew from the shelter of the buildings, and became fully exposed to the enemy's fire. The skirmishers, under Lieutenant Colonel Emery, rejoined the regiment, and the whole fell back slowly and deliberately, fighting all the while, with as much coolness as if on ordinary duty. Having joined the main line of the brigade. General Hancock gave the order to fire and charge, which was followed by such a volley and rush, that the enemy were checked, and fled from the field in the wildest confusion, leaving one of their battle flags. For the coolness and bravery displayed. Colonel Cobb and the regiment were complimented by their superior officers, and on the 7th, General McClellan addressed the regiment as follows: "My lads, I have come to thank you for the bravery and discipline which you displayed the other day. On that day, you won laurels of which you may well be proud— not only you, but the army, the State and the country to which you belong. Through you we won the day, and 'Williamsburg' shall be inscribed upon your banner. I cannot thank you too much, and I am sure the reputation your gallantry has already achieved, will always be maintained."

The rebel force engaged was Ewell's crack brigade, of which the Fifth North Carolina was nearly annihilated.

The rebels evacuated Williamsburg on the night of the 5th of May. Smith's division marched to Cumberland Landing on the 9th, and was assigned to Franklin's Sixth Corps, and marched to the Chickahominy and encamped on the 24th of May, near Gaines' Mill, where the regiment was engaged, till June 26th, in building roads, bridges, &c. On that day. Porter was driven back by the enemy, and on the evening of the 27th, the pickets of the Fifth Wisconsin were driven in. Hancock's brigade held a strong position, very annoying to the enemy, and this was an attempt to drive him from it. The brigade soon formed line of battle, just below the crest of a hill, on which they lay down, and when the enemy appeared on the hill, they poured in a staggering fire, at the same time that the artillery opened. The fight lasted about an hour, when the rebels were routed. This is known as the battle of Golden's Farm.

The next day, McClellan began his famous " change of base," in which Smith's division formed the rear guard of the grand army, being under fire at Savage Station, and the Fifth Wisconsin, with Hancock's brigade, were among the last to cross White Oak Swamp bridge, where five of Company F, were taken prisoners. The brigade was also under fire at the battle of Malvern Hill, but suffered no loss, and went into camp near Harrison's Landing, where it remained until the final evacuation of the Pen-insula, on the 16th of August. Arriving at Alexandria on the 29th, Franklin's corps marched toward Manassas, but did not reach General Pope in time to afford any assistance, and returned to Alexandria, where it remained until the 6th of September.

In the movement to check the progress of General Lee in Mary-land, the regiment was in the reserve when Slocum's division drove the enemy from Crampton's Gap, on the 14th. They were present at the battle of Antietam, Franklin's corps reinforcing Generals Hooker and Sumner. Smith's division being in support of artillery, the regiment lay on the ground nearly all day, under the terrible fire of the enemy, with little loss. Colonel Cobb was in command of the brigade. After a fruitless attempt to intercept Stuart’s cavalry, on his celebrated raid around McClellan's army, they rejoined the army at Falmouth, and on the 12th, 13th, 14thand 15th of December, participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, though not much exposed. Here Corporal H. Pigg, of Company B, and Corporal Amos W. Miller and John Duncan, of Company H, were wounded, and William Lyon, of Company J), was mortally wounded. The regiment went into winter quarters at White Oak Church, near Belle Plain. Colonel Cobb being elected to Congress, resigned his position, and Lieutenant Colonel T. S. Allen, of the Second, was appointed Colonel of the Fifth. On the death of Lieutenant Colonel Emery in October, Captain T.B. Catlin, of Company D, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Major Behrens resigned on the 26th of December, and Captain H. M. Wheeler was appointed Major. Colonel Allen reported for duty on the 26th of January, Lieutenant Colonel Catlin having command of the regiment in the meantime.

The "Light Division" was organized from the Sixth Corps, in February, 1863, by General Pratt, including the Fifth Regiment, which was intended to march, and be ready to undertake reconnaissance’s and movements which required great activity, unencumbered by the usual impedimenta. This " Light Division "remained in camp at Belle Plain until April 28th, when it moved to the Rappahannock, crossed on pontoons, and took position before the enemy, below Fredericksburg, and on the 2d of May, while skirmishing, lost First Lieutenant John McMurtry, of Company H, who was mortally wounded by rebel sharpshooters. Moving up to the city, the Sixth Corps took position in front of the enemy's fortifications on the heights.

On the 3d of May, the "Light Division" was ordered to storm the enemy's position on Marye's Heights, where, in December, General Burnside lost 5,000 men in a similar attempt, which had given the place the name of the Slaughter Pen. The Light Division, commanded by Colonel Burnham, of the Sixth Maine, moved to obey the orders. The right wing of the Fifth, Companies A, B, F, II and I were to lead the storming party, under Colonel Allen. The Sixth Maine and Thirty-first New York were placed in the rear of the right wing of the Fifth, and the left wing of the Fifth in rear of the Thirty-first. The plan of the charge and arrangement of the troops was made by Colonel Allen. The enemy's works consisted of a battery in front on the heights above, with a battery on the left, and two other batteries on the right, which could pour a terrible cross fire into the attacking force. In front of the right wing was a gentle slope, on ascending which, the force became fully exposed to the fire of the enemy, and at about 450 yards in front of their starting point was a stone wall or fence forming one side of a cross road, behind which the enemy had placed a regiment or two of sharpshooters. Beyond the wall, the hill rose very steep, on top of which was the battery and rifle-pits which the Light Division were ordered to take. Two regiments were to advance up a road to the right, in order to draw the fire of the enemy while the charge was being made.

Forming in line, as arranged, the right wing of the Fifth lay for three hours, protected by the slope of the ground, before orders were received to charge. The men were rather serious, for they felt it to be an almost hopeless task, where so many had failed before. Colonel Allen, to change the current of feeling, addressed his men, saying - "Boys! You see those heights! You have got to take them! You think you cannot do it; but you can! You will do it! "When the order 'Forward' is given, you will start at double quick - you will not fire a gun – you will not stop until you get the order to halt! You will never get that order!'' At last came the command "Forward," and every man advanced with undaunted bravery up that sheltering slope and into the deadly fire which met them when about one hundred yards from the stone wall or fence. Then it came with terrible fury and effect from musketry behind the wall and rifle-pits above, in front, and from batteries on all the crests of the hills, from rifles in houses and rifle-pits on the right flank. Shot, shell and cannister tore through the ranks of the gallant storming party, but without stopping to return a shot, the band of heroes rushed on, surmounted the stone wall, where they bayoneted some of the foe, and scattering the others like chaff, clambered up the steep pitch and into the enemy's works at the top, and were soon in possession of the famous Washington Battery of New Orleans, whose commander surrendered his sword to Colonel Allen, at the same time complimenting him for his daring and the bravery of his men. The column which was to charge the batteries on the right, failed to reach them, and the Light Division proceeded to secure them, capturing in all nine guns, several hundred prisoners, and many small arms. The battery on the left was taken by a Vermont brigade. The casualties in the Fifth were three commissioned officers and forty-one enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and eight commissioned officers and eighty-four enlisted men wounded, and twenty-three missing, out of a force of about four hundred men.

The list of killed and wounded in this assault on Marye's Hill, which has justly been considered as one of the most gallant acts of the war, shows the desperate character of the enterprise. The brave men who lost their lives in this attempt, where thousands failed but a few months before, are worthy of a monument enduring as the granite hills, and those who suffered and languished from wounds received in the undertaking are entitled to our warmest sympathies, and, with those who came off unscathed, will receive the grateful homage of the present and future generations for the gallantry and devotion which they there displayed in the effort to conquer and wipe out the rebellion.

Without rest or refreshments, or going back to care for the killed and wounded, the Light Division were ordered to march with the Sixth Corps at once, to Chancellorsville. During the evening the enemy retook possession of the Heights so dearly won, and followed up the Sixth Corps, which, at Salem Church, had Lee's army in their front, and Jackson and Long-street on their flank and rear. The enemy's fire slackened against Hooker, during the 3d and 4th, his attention being de-voted to Sedgwick's Sixth Corps, who were fighting three times their number. No relief came, and nothing was left but to cross the river. In order to do this the 5th Wisconsin and Sixty-first Pennsylvania, under Colonel Allen, moved to the right and went to the assistance of Brooks' and Howe's divisions, who were fighting to open a way to Banks' Ford. They succeeded, the Fifth losing several men in a few minutes. Arriving at the Ford, the Fifth was detailed as rear guard, and the Sixth Corps crossed in safety, on the 5th. The Light Division returned to their old camp, and were soon after broken up; the Fifth Wisconsin, and Sixth Maine, being assigned to the Third brigade under Brigadier General David A. Bussell, First Division, Sixth Army Corps.

It having been ascertained that General Lee was moving to-wards Pennsylvania, the Sixth Corps was again put in motion, and marched rapidly through Virginia, reaching Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 2d day of July, having marched all the previous night. Here they were placed as a reserve in the rear of the left of General Meade's line of battle, where they remained without becoming actually engaged, although exposed to the artillery fire on the 3d. The Fifth sustained no loss. The Sixth Corps went in pursuit of the enemy, and skirmished with his rear guard, but he escaped, and the regiment proceeded with the army to Warrenton, and a few days after, was ordered to New York City to aid the United States Provost Marshal in executing the draft, quartering at Governor's Island, and per-forming duty in the city four days, and was afterwards stationed in detached companies at Albany, and other places up the river. Reuniting at Governor's Island, on the 17th of October, they arrived at Fairfax Station on the 20th, and rejoined the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps.

On the 7th of November, they took a prominent part in the charge on the enemy's works at Rappahannock Station. When General Lee returned from the pursuit of Meade, in October, he left a strong outpost at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford. On the morning of the 7th, the Sixth Corps marched to Rappahannock Station, and on examination of the enemy's works, General Russell remarked that he "had two regiments in his brigade that could take those works!" He received permission to make the attempt. At once ordering up the Fifth Wisconsin and Sixth Maine, he deployed the whole of the latter regiment as skirmishers at short intervals, and ordered the Fifth to support the line closely, and take the works in front. They advanced at double quick, with orders to rely entirely on the bayonet until the works were reached. With a yell. they rushed forward, over smooth rolling ground, and then across a low flat in front of the works, covered with stumps and crossed by deep ravines and ditches filled with water. Onward they went, while the rebel shell, canister, and musketry, cut through their ranks. When the Fifth arrived at the works, it was about dark, and very difficult to distinguish between friend and foe. Our men fired their pieces and crossed bayonets. The right of the line was driven back, but soon regained the lost ground. Getting possession of the center redoubt, our men turned their fire towards the flanks, which cleared the way for the whole line to take possession. The first man in the redoubt was Sergeant Goodwin, of Company A, who with assistance, turned a gun upon the enemy, and when he was about firing, was shot through the heart. Just as the men were going over into the center redoubt, and taking possession. Colonel Allen was struck by a bullet which shattered his left hand so badly as to render him unfit for duty. The day was won, but at a severe loss to the regiment. Major Wheeler was mortally wounded, and Captains Walker and Ordway, were killed. The enemy attempted to escape by a pontoon bridge above, but they were met by such a concentrated fire on the bridge, that they were glad to surrender. Eight regiments were captured, with their colors and arms, and seven pieces of artillery.

The enemy were pursued as far as Brandy Station, where the regiment went into camp until the 24th of November, when they took part in the fruitless expedition to Mine Run, being in the engagement at Locust Grove, when they had two men wounded, and returned to winter quarters at Brandy Station, and engaged in camp and drill duty, and in a few reconnaissance’s and short expeditions, until the opening of the campaign of 1864.

During the winter, 204 veterans reenlisted. This was not a sufficient number to make the Fifth a veteran regiment. The reenlisted veterans came home on furlough, returning in time for the spring campaign.

On the 4th of May, the regiment left camp, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Catlin, Colonel Allen being on detached duty at Washington, and took part in the celebrated Wilderness campaign. They crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, marched eighteen miles and bivouacked. The correspondence in regard to the operations of the Fifth Regiment in the battles of the Wilderness, is very meagre, and we avail ourselves of the report of the Adjutant General, as affording the best information of its movements. They followed the movements of the Sixth Corps, which are described in the chapter on general military operations. On the morning of the 5th, with the brigade and division, the regiment moved forward into line of battle. The right wing was deployed as skirmishers, under Major Totten, to the right of the line, and the engagement soon became general. A heavy force of the rebels forced back a portion of the line on the left of the regiment. In doing so, the rebel flank was exposed, which was taken advantage of by Companies D and G, under command of Captains White and Hilton, who attacked and captured the entire Twenty-fifth Virginia Regiment, with its colors. The right, under Major Totten, was heavily engaged in skirmishing all day, while the left wing fought in the brigade line, the whole regiment losing heavily. The fight was continued next day, with a loss of thirty-eight in killed and wounded. At one time during the night, the enemy turned the right flank of the Sixth Corps, and was forcing back a portion of the Third Brigade, when the Fifth regiment, under Major Totten, came to the rescue, and in a gallant manner, checked the rebels, and held the position, until the division came up. On the 7th, a new line of battle was formed, to the left, about four miles from Chancellorsville, and awaited the enemy, who did not attack. On the 8th, they advanced to Spotsylvania Court House, and fought in rifle pits all the afternoon, and also all day on the 9th. On the 10th, they were engaged on the skirmish line and in the rifle pits until near night, when they charged, and took a rebel battery and rifle pits, but were unsupported by the rear line, and compelled to fall back under a flank fire, the regiment losing heavily. On the 11th, the regiment was under command of Captain Kempf, of Company C, Lieutenant Colonel Catlin being off duty, on account of disability, and Major Totten being wounded, who had been in command of the regiment since the 6th of May.

Accompanying the movements of the Sixth Corps, the regiment took an active part in the operations of the campaign. After leaving the vicinity of Spotsylvania, they engaged in destroying the Virginia Central Railroad, with occasional skirmishing as they advanced, and arrived at Cold Harbor about the 1st of June, somewhat exhausted from the hardships of the campaign, and suffering for clothing and other supplies. This did not deter them from joining in a charge on the enemy's works at Cold Harbor, and capturing the intrenchments, with a number of prisoners. They remained at this place, constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, until the 12th, when, with the rest of the Sixth Corps, they marched to and crossed the James River, and took their position in the trenches before Petersburg. In the charge of the 22d, they participated, capturing a portion of the enemy's works, and on the 29th, moved to Reams' Station, on the Weldon Railroad, ten miles south of Petersburg, where they were occupied in fatigue and picket duty, until the 11th of July.

The Fifth accompanied the movement of the Sixth Corps to Washington, to assist in the defense of that city, arriving on the 12th, on which day, the three years term of the non-veterans having expired, they volunteered for the defense of the Capitol. The danger having passed, they left Washington on the 16th, for Wisconsin, and arrived at Madison on the 22d, where they received a hearty welcome from the State authorities, and were finally mustered out on the 3d of August. Thus ended the service of the original Fifth Regiment.

The reenlisted veterans and recruits were organized into an "Independent Battalion," of three companies, under command of Captain Charles W. Kempf, of Company A. Company B, was commanded by Captain Jacob H. Cook, and Company C, by Captain M. L. Butterfield. On the 13th of July, they moved with the Sixth Corps, to the Shenandoah Valley, in pursuit of the enemy, participated in the engagement at Snicker's Gap, on the 18threturned to "Washington— on the 26th, proceeded to Harper's Ferry, and joining in the movements of the Sixth Corps, participated in the action at Charleston, having one man wounded. Remained in Charleston, performing picket and guard duty, until the 19th of September, when they moved forward, and took part in the battle of Cedar Creek, losing four killed and eleven wounded, and afterwards, with the brigade, went to Winchester, in the performance of garrison duty.

On the muster out of service of the Old Fifth, Governor Lewis authorized its reorganization, and recommissioned Colonel Allen as the colonel. Under his supervision, seven companies were rapidly recruited, organized and mustered into the United States service, and left the State on the 2d of October, to join the battalion at Winchester. The following is the roster of the reorganized regiment: Colonel - Thomas S. Allen; Lieutenant Colonel - James M. Bull; Major - Charles W. Kempf; Adjutant - William B. Sturges; Quartermaster - Alexander Samuels; Surgeon - George D. Wilbur; First Assistant Surgeon - Ambrose Jones; Second Assistant Surgeon - William W. Allen; Chaplain - Rev. B.C. Hammond.

The seven companies arrived at Washington, received arms, and were sent to Alexandria, where they remained, doing provost guard duty, until the 20th of October, when they proceeded by way of Martinsburg and Winchester to Cedar Creek, where they joined the battalion and the forces under General Sheridan, and remain at that place until the 1st of December, Colonel Allen being put in command of the brigade. With the Sixth Corps, they rejoined the forces of General Grant in the trenches before Petersburg on the 4th of December, where they remained until the 5th of February, 1865, when they took part in the extension of the lines at Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, suffering little loss in that engagement.

On the 25th of March, 1865, the regiment participated in the general skirmish along the whole line, and succeeded in driving in the rebel outpost then in front.

In the charge on the enemy's works at Petersburg, April 2d, the Fifth Wisconsin and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, led by Colonel Allen, were in the extreme front, supported by two lines in the rear. At 4, A.M., the signal for the charge was given, and the colors of the Fifth were the first planted on the enemy's works, that regiment being the first to enter the captured works of Petersburg. Colonel Allen led a portion of the regiment two miles through the abandoned lines of the enemy to the South Side Railroad. By 8, A.M., the troops were reassembled, marched six miles to the left inside of the late rebel works, capturing many prisoners, then back to the right, where the regiment was engaged in skirmishing till night.

The loss of the regiment was about one-tenth of that suffered by the whole corps, consisting of fifty regiments.

On the afternoon of April 3d, they joined in the pursuit of Lee, marching with great rapidity by day and night. The Sixth Corps encountered General Ewell's forces at Little Sailors Creek, on the 7th. The lines were hurriedly formed, and they pushed forward at a double quick, the regiment marching with unbroken line through a swamp waist deep, under the lire of the enemy's musketry. They moved to the brow of a hill, where the enemy was discovered but a few paces distant, admirably posted, and fighting with the energy of despair. The regiment was in an extremely hazardous position, being subjected to a severe flank and cross fire. Colonel Allen rode in advance of the line as calmly as though danger was unknown. Company G, Captain Henry Curran, and Company C, Lieutenant Evan Jones, were deployed as skirmishers. Lieutenant General Ewell and staff, surrendered to six men of the skirmishers, under com-mand of Sergeant Cameron, Company A, who was promoted Lieutenant on the field, for his gallantry. The action of the regiment elicited high encomiums from the corps, division, and brigade commanders.

The pursuit was continued until the 9th, when Lee surrendered. On the 10th, the regiment commenced its return, and reached Burke's Station on the evening of the 13th, encamped till the 23d, and marched to Danville, arriving there on the 27th, left Danville, May 3d, by rail, arrived at Wilson's Station, May4th, and May 18th, marched for Richmond, which they reached on the 20th. On the 24th, left Richmond, for Washington, where they arrived on the 2d of June, after a long and tedious march. Left Washington, June 16th, and arrived at Madison, June 20th, and were soon after mustered out, thus closing the record of the Fighting Fifth.

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, 25; by veteran reenlistments, 204; total, 2,256. Losses - deaths, 285; missing, 4; desertion, 105; transferred, 33; discharged, 405; mustered out, 1,424.

This company was first organized on August 25th, 1857, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, as the "Milwaukee Light Guard Cadets" by Charles H. Townsend, who served as the first company commander. The original purpose of the company was to serve as a training command for other members of the Light Guards Battalion to which the company was attached. In 1858 the company was reorganized and changed its name to the "Milwaukee Cadets" under the command of Captain Elisha C. Hubbard and as such continued into 1861.

With the calling up of volunteers in April 1861 the company reorganized itself for active service under the name of the "Milwaukee Zouaves" (sometimes referred to as the "Milwaukee Zouave Cadets" or "Hibbard's Zouaves") and spent May and June recruiting itself to full strength. On June 24th, 1861, the company, along with the Montgomery Guards, was called out to assist in the suppression of the Milwaukee Bank Riot and marched quickly from their camp grounds to the area; the crowd becoming violent the men fixed bayonets and charged down the street effectively ending the riot, before returning to camp.

On July 13th, 1861, the company was officially mustered into United States service as Company B of the Fifth (5th) Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment for three years service at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, under the command of Captain Elisha C. Hubbard. The company served with the regiment throughout its service with the Sixth Army Corps in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, from 1861 to 1864. In 1864 as the regiments original term of enlistment was preparing to expire the members whose terms were not expired were transferred in July to Company C of the Independent Battalion, which had been organized from those members of the regiment whose terms were not yet expired and in September 1864 would be re-designated as the 5th Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment; the remainder of the company returned to Madison, Wisconsin, and between July and August 1864 the "Milwaukee Zouaves" were officially mustered out of United States service, and ceased to exist as a military organization at that time.

Private David W. Howie (Military Images Magazine)

When the company re-organized in April 1861 they adopted a Zouave uniform of a gray Zouave cut jacket trimmed in yellow with ball buttons along the outer edge. Underneath was worn a gray vest with yellow trim (another source states light blue with white trim), gray trousers with yellow trim, and leather gaiters covering the lower legs of the trousers and upper part of the shoes. Topping off the uniform was a red kepi trimmed in yellow with a brass "Z" attached to the front of the cap; they also adopted a red fez with yellow tassel. In addition to their Zouave uniform they were supplied by the ladies of Milwaukee with a fatigue uniform of brown trousers and hickory shirt topped off with red caps. The Zouave uniforms, which were supplied to the company through donations from Milwaukee Citizens William R. Hibbard, Augustus Smith and E. Sanderson, remained in use from April to August 1861, however, due to the wear and tear of active service they were replaced that August with regulation United States Army uniform of the regiment.

Sergeant William I. Washington (Military Images Magazine)	Private Wilson D. Aterholt	Unknown Milwaukee Zouave	Unknown Milwaukee Zouave

(Wisconsin Veterans Museum)

Oliver, Joseph B.: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enrolled on May 10th, 1861, for three years' service; mustered into service as First Lieutenant of Company B on July 13th, 1861, at Madison, Wisconsin; promoted to Captain on October 16th, 1862; resigned his commission on January 26th, 1863. [Born on January 19th, 1840; died on February 17th, 1922; buried at the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.]

(Find-A-Grave)

Pigg, Henry: Merrimac, Wisconsin. Enlisted on May 10th, 1861, for three years' service; mustered into service as a Private in Company B on July 13th, 1861, at Madison, Wisconsin; promoted to Corporal, no date; promoted to Sergeant, no date; wounded in action on May 3rd, 1863, near Fredericksburg, Virginia; wounded in action on May 5th, 1864, at the Wilderness, Virginia; absent, wounded, at the time of the company being mustered out of service; no further record after July 1864. [Born on December 3rd, 1840, in County Durham, Ireland, the son of George Henry (1801-1881) & Elizabeth Felton-Burdis Pigg (1810-1887); applied for, and received, a veteran's pension from March 1st, 1870, and reapplied on December 8th, 1910; died on April 9th, 1911, at Baraboo, Wisconsin; buried at the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin; his widow applied for, and received, a widow's pension from April 24th, 1911.]

(Find-A-Grave)

McFarland, William Hugh: Raymond, Wisconsin. Enlisted on May 10th, 1861, for three years' service; mustered into service as a Private in Company B on July 13th, 1861, at Madison, Wisconsin; wounded in action (leg) on May 3rd, 1863, near Fredericksburg, Virginia, resulting in the amputation of his leg; discharged to disability (wounds) on March 22nd, 1864. [Born in 1844 in Scotland; married Miss Susan E. Steward on April 6th, 1871; died on December 10th, 1900; buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.]

(A Military Album)

Powell, Charles Francis: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enlisted on April 24th, 1861, for three years' service; mustered into service as a Private in Company B of the 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment on July 13th, 1861, at Madison, Wisconsin; promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major on September 1st, 1863; discharged on October 10th, 1863, to accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from the state of South Carolina; entered the Military Academy as a Cadet on September 29th, 1863; graduated 12th in his class from the Military Academy on June 17th, 1867, and was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Served with the Engineer Battalion at Willet's Point, New York, from August of 1867 to May 1st, 1871, being the Battalion Quartermaster from May of 1868 to May 1st, 1871; promoted to First Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers on April 23rd, 1869; as an Assistant Engineer on the Geodetic Survey of the Northern

Lakes from May 7th, 1871, and of the Mississippi River, from May 26th, 1877, to March of 1879; as an assistant to Major Gillespie from April 11th, 1879, to October 20th, 1881; promoted to Captain in the Corps of Engineers on June 17th, 1881; as the Engineer of the Thirteenth Lighthouse District from October 26th, 1881, to April 11th, 1888; in charge of the various Defenses, River and Harbor Improvements, Surveys, Water-gauges, etc., in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, from October 26th, 1881, to April 28th, 1888; serving as a member of the Engineer Boards from 1882 to 1887; as the Secretary and Disbursing· Officer of the Mississippi River Commission, and charged with various duties connected therewith, from May 31st, 1883, to November 18th, 1890; in charge of the improvements of the Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa, at Bismarck, North Dakota, and Sioux City, Iowa, to April 27th, 1893; as the Engineer Commissioner for the District of Columbia at Washington, D.C., May 1st, 1893, to March 2nd, 1897; promoted to Major in the Corps of Engineers on January 26th, 1895; in charge of the improvements of the Pittsburg Harbor in the Allegheny River, and other engineer works at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from April 10th, 1897, to January 3rd, 1902; in charge of defenses of Long Island Sound and of the River and Harbor improvements in Connecticut from January 7th, 1902, to April 2nd, 1906, with station at New London, Connecticut; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Corps of Engineers on January 22nd, 1904; appointed as a Brigadier General in the United States Army on March 31st, 1906; accepted the appointment on April 2nd, 1906; retired from active service on April 3rd, 1906, by direction of the President being over the age of 62. [Born on August 13th, 1843, at Jacksonville, Illinois; married Miss Margaret Isabelle Foster on May 17th, 1883, at Albany, Oregon; died on July 30th, 1907, at St. Paul, Minnesota; buried at the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.]