Port Washington Volunteers for the War

Now that we have a picture of what Port Washington was like in 1860, let’s explore how conscription affected the community. Prior to the Civil War military draft, men from Port Washington had voluntarily enlisted to serve in the Federal forces. A muster roll indicates that at least ninety-five men voluntarily enlisted. Company K of the 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was called the “Ozaukee Rifles” and included twenty-six men from Port Washington. The 16^th Wisconsin participated in the Battle of Shiloh, as well as both the Siege and later Battle of Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg. Ozaukee County also assembled Company H of the 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which included thirty-four Port Washington men. The 24th Wisconsin was in training camp for only ten days before departing for the front. They were part of the campaign to stop Confederate General Kirby Smith across Kentucky. They participated in the Battle of Chaplin Hills/ Perryville on the Union right wing. They also marched over 330 miles in the pursuit of Confederates out of Kentucky. The 24th Wisconsin was part of U.S. General Philip Sheridan’s forces in the center at the Battle of Stones River and sustained four successive waves of intensive attacks. They sustained 173 casualties that day, leaving about 200 able to continue fighting.