This Day in Wisconsin History
On This Day: June 29
1862 - (Civil War) Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia
The Battle of Savage's Station was fought during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. The 5th Wisconsin Infantry and Co. G of the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters took part.
1865 - First Soldiers' Home Fair Held
On this date the first Soldiers' Home Fair was held in Milwaukee. It raised more than $110,000 and allowed the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home Association to purchase land and establish the hospital which became the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Northwestern Branch. This was later renamed the Veterans Administration Medical Center. [Source: History Just Ahead: A Guide to Wisconsin's Historical Markers edited by Sarah Davis McBride, p. 22]
1947 - Olympian Hiawatha Train Begins Service
The Olympian Hiawatha, Milwaukee Road's overnight passenger train, started service on this day. [Source: WHS Curator's Favorites page]