Twenty First Regiment01

Waupaca County Republican

July 1, 1887

History of the 21^st Regiment

Neenah Times: The Twenty-first regiment was organized in Oshkosh, and composed of companies enlisted in the counties of Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, Calument and Manitowoc. Col. Benjamin J. Sweet perfected its organization, and it was mustered into the United States service on the 5^th of September, 1862. H.C. Hobart at that time a captain in the Fourth Wisconsin infantry, had been commissioned lieutenant colonel but being then on duty in New Orleans did not join the regiment at the time of the organization. Six days after its organization the regiment left Wisconsin for Cincinnati, whence they crossed the river for Covington. At Covington arms were received and the regiment was assigned to duty in the trenches. From Covington they marched to the defense of Louisville, under Brig. Gen. P.H. Sheridan. Here the regiment received field equipment and was assigned to the Twenty-eighth brigade. In the division commanded by Brig. Gen. Rousseau, and marched with the army of the Ohio into the interior of Kentucky, and on the 8^th of October was engaged in the battle of Perryville.

From this point the Twenty-first moved through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama for the succeeding twelve months and was in the terrible battle of Chickamauga in which it was commended by Lieutenant Colonel Hobart. During the winter of 1863-4 the regiment held the outpost upon Lookout Mountain. From here the regiment marched with the First brigade of the First division of the Fourteenth army corps on its hour of destruction, taking part in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and numerous other battles and skirmishes which took place during the “march to the sea”. In the grand review of the armies at Washington, the Twenty-first was the last regiment but one in the column of Sherman’s army. Of 960 men who left the state in the regiment, only 290 returned.