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Civil War "First Battle of Bull Run"

Steel engraving of the first major battle of the Civil War fought in Virginia, near the Manassas railway junction. The Confederate Army of the Potomac was under the command of Brigadier General Pierre G.T. Beauregard, and the Army of the Shenandoah was commanded by Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston. View the original source document: WHI 46700

For several years before the Civil War, Wisconsin had championed state's rights. But unlike the South, Wisconsin used the doctrine to oppose slavery. The Wisconsin Supreme Court had nullified the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act on the grounds of states' rights.

War Begins

When war broke out in April, 1861, Wisconsin rallied to support the Union cause. Wisconsin governor Alexander Randall supplied several more regiments than the government requested and demanded that they be put to use. Each regiment was accompanied by a state agent who looked after the health and needs of the soldiers. Many men enlisted to end slavery, while others wanted to preserve the Union. Others wanted to get away from home, advance within army ranks or gain military experience for political purposes.

Wisconsin soldiers fought in every major battle of the Civil War. By the end of the war, 91,000 men had served in fifty-six regiments. Recruits were trained in Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Racine, and Madison. Camp Randall, Wisconsin's major training facility in Madison, also housed Confederate prisoners.

Iron Brigade & Old Abe

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Old Abe

Print of a painted portrait of Old Abe, bald eagle mascot of the Eighth Regiment of the Wisconsin Civil Volunteer Infantry, standing on a perch. "Old Abe" is written at the bottom. View the original source document: WHI 79114

Wisconsin's most famous war unit was the Iron Brigade. The 8th Wisconsin regiment became known as the "Eagle Regiment" because of a pet bald eagle named Old Abe that they carried into battle on a perch with an American flag. According to legend, Old Abe had been captured by a Native American on the Flambeau River. Old Abe enjoyed celebrity status at soldiers' reunions and fairs until his death in 1881.

Wisconsin soldiers distinguished themselves in a number of battles and skirmishes throughout the war. Unfortunately, many of the Wisconsin men who fought against the South did not return. Nearly 12,000 died, and thousands more were wounded. Wisconsin soldiers also spent time in many infamous Southern military prisons, including Libby and Andersonville. 

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Explore the Turning Points in Wisconsin History Collection

[Source: The History of Wisconsin vol 2 (Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin); Barker, Brett. Exploring Civil War Wisconsin (Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2003); Gara, Larry. A Short History of Wisconsin. (Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1962)]