The 3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, reconstituted in 1898, was as an
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
that served in the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...
during the
Spanish–American War
The Spanish–American War (April 21 – August 13, 1898) was fought between Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States in 1898. It began with the sinking of the USS Maine (1889), USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor in Cuba, and resulted in the ...
. The regiment served in the
Puerto Rico campaign.
Service
The 3rd Wisconsin Infantry was mustered into service on May 11, 1898, at Camp Harvey in
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
, Wisconsin, with a strength of 50 officers and 975 enlisted men.
They proceeded to Camp Thomas, near the old
Chickamauga battlefield in Tennessee, to prepare for battle in the
Caribbean
The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...
.
In June, they were sent to South Carolina to prepare for the invasion of
Cuba
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...
, but were delayed due to logistical problems and missed the
Cuba campaign.
Instead, in July 1898, they joined the
Puerto Rico campaign. They occupied the cities of
Ponce and
Coamo, and engaged in skirmishing in that area until the cessation of hostilities in August.
During one skirmish, the regiment was fired on by Spanish artillery and suffered two killed.
The 3rd Wisconsin Infantry returned to Wisconsin in October and was mustered out of service on January 15, 1899.
At the time of mustering out, the unit consisted of 49 officers and 1,196 enlisted men.
Casualties
The 3rd Wisconsin suffered 2 enlisted men killed in action and 31 enlisted men and 1 officer who died of disease. 26 additional men were discharged for disability or other causes, and 1 man
deserted.
Commanders
*
Colonel
Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...
Martin T. Moore
Notable people
*
Frank H. Fowler was 2nd lieutenant in Co. M. Later he served as a lieutenant colonel in
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, and became a Wisconsin state legislator.
See also
*
3rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
References
{{Reflist
Military units and formations established in 1898
1899 disestablishments
Military units and formations of the United States in the Spanish–American War
Military units and formations disestablished in 1899