30th Wisconsin Infantry History | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

30th Wisconsin Infantry History

Wisconsin Civil War Regiment

30th Wisconsin Infantry History | Wisconsin Historical Society
EnlargeStanding portrait of Edward M. Bartlett, lieutenant colonel of the 30th Wisconsin, taken during the regiment's assignment at Camp Randall, 1862-1864.

Edward M. Bartlett, 1863 ca.

Standing portrait of Edward M. Bartlett, lieutenant colonel of the 30th Wisconsin, taken during the regiment's assignment at Camp Randall, 1862-1864. View the original source document: WHI 38243

The 30th Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Camp Randall in Madison and mustered into service on October 21, 1862.

The regiment was detailed to duty at Green Bay and other points in Wisconsin to enforce the draft until March 1863. In that month, the various companies were split on duties ranging from guard boat and supply duty for Sully's Northwestern Indian Expedition up the Missouri River, to draft enforcement across Wisconsin, to fort construction and fort duty. The balance of the regiment eventually came to Kentucky by mid-1864 or early 1865 and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Military District of Kentucky. It primarily served on provost duty there and conducted prisoners to various points.

The regiment mustered out on September 20, 1865, after it had lost 69 men. Two enlisted men were killed. Two officers and 65 enlisted men died from disease.

[Source: Estabrook, Charles E, ed. Records and sketches of military organizations: population, legislation, election and other statistics relating to Wisconsin in the period of the Civil War. (Madison, 1914?)]