HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Wisconsin 31st Infantry Regiment was organized at Prairie du Chien in Aug., 1862, when six companies were recruited. It was ordered to Camp Utley, Racine, on Nov. 14, where the remaining companies were recruited, and the regiment was mustered in, Oct. 9. It left the state March 1, 1863, for Columbus, Ky., and was assigned to the 6th division, 16th corps. It remained there on picket, provost and reconnoissance duty during the spring and summer and was ordered to Murfreesboro in October. Cos. B, G and K were detached and stationed at Stone's river in guard and fortification work until April, 1864. The regiment was assigned to the 4th division, 20th corps, and divided into detachments for patrolling the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad, one detachment being mounted for dashes into the interior. The regiment was ordered to Nashville in June for provost guard duty, remaining there until July 3, when it was transferred to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 20th corps, joining the brigade on the 21st before Atlanta and remaining in the siege until Aug. 25. It took a position on the Chattahoochee river until the evacuation of Atlanta and was then on guard and forage duty until it joined the march to the sea. When within 10 miles of Savannah, accompanied by part of another regiment, it passed through a seemingly impassable swamp, charged the enemy in two redoubts commanding the road, and in the face of a severe fire carried the works. It accompanied the army in the campaign of the Carolinas, performing well its part in destroying railroads, building corduroy roads and foraging. At the battle of Averasboro it was in the front line under heavy fire from noon until dark. At Bentonville it held an exposed position at the front and was attacked in front and on both flanks simultaneously. It was thrown back, but reformed behind a rail fence, where it was speedily reinforced and withstood five determined charges, inflicting terrible punishment upon the enemy. This closed its active service. It participated in the grand review at Washington. Cos. A, B, C, D, E and F, were mustered out at Louisville June 20, 1865, and the remaining companies on July 15.
The original strength of the regiment was 878. It gained by recruits, 200; total, 1,078. Loss by death, 114; missing, 2; desertion, 52; transfer 33; discharge, 167; mustered out, 710.
OFFICERS:
Cols., Isaac E. Messmore, Francis H. West, George D. Rogers; Lieut. -Cols., Francis H. West, George D. Rogers; Majs., John Clowney, William J. Gibson, George D. Rogers, R. B. Stephenson, Farlin Q. Ball.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E" and "F" organized at: Prairie du Chien, Wis., and mustered in October 9 1862. Companies "G," "H," "I" and "K" organized at Camp Utley, Bacine, Wis., and mustered in Deeember 24, 1862. Companies "A," "D" and "F" ordered to Madison, Wis., November 14. Companies "B, "C" and "E" ordered to Racine, Wis., November 14, as guard for draft rendezvous. Companies "A," "D" and "F" moved to Racine, December 20. Regiment ordered to Columbus, Ky., March 1, 1863. Attached to District of Columbus, Ky., 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to October, 1863. Unattached, Dept of the Cumberland, to November, 1863. Post of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Rousseau's 3rd Division, 12th Army Corps, Dept. of tne Cumberland, to April, 1864. Unattached, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to July, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to July, 1865.
SERVICE:
Duty at Columbus, Ky., March 6-September 24, 1863. Moved to Cairo, Ill., Louisville, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., September 24-27, thence moved to Lavergne October 5, and railroad guard duty there till October 25. Moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., October 25, and duty there till April, 1864. Companies "B", "G" and "K" detached at Stone's River Crossing, guarding railroad bridge and building fortifications, till April 2, 1864. Assigned to duty by Detachments, guarding Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad from Normandy to Murfreesboro, till June. Regiment ordered to Murfreesboro, thence to Nashville, Tenn., June 6-10, and provost and guard duty there till July 16. Moved to Atlanta, Ga., July 16-21. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign July 21-September 8. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. Expedition from Atlanta to Tuckum's Cross Roads October 26-29. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Harrison's Field and Montieth Swamp December 9. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro , N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville, March 19-21. Occupation of Geldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh, April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D. C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 17. Grand Review May 24. Companies "A" to "F" mustered out June 20, and Companies "G" to "K" mustered out July 8, 1865.
ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 1678 men.
HISTORICAL NOTES: