Our Civil War Veterans who fought with this Regiment

Ebuluis Hartson  & Albert Welch

FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY
The 41st regiment was organized at Milwaukee, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Goodwin, was mustered into The United States Service, left the State on the 15th of June for Memphis, with the following roster
COLONEL - GEORGE B. GOODWIN.
Major - D. GRAY  PURMAN; Adjutant - AMASA HOSKINS; Quartermaster - BENJAMIN S. MILLER; Surgeon - S. D. SMITH; First Assistant Surgeon - John D. WOOD; Second Assistant, Surgeon - RUFUS B. CLARK; Chaplain - Rev. WILLIAM D. AMES

Regiments went down the River to Memphis where they went into camp. The Thirty-ninth and Forty-first were assigned to the Third Brigade, which was placed under the command of Colonel E. L Buttrick and were encamped to the right of the Hernando road in the outskirts of the city. The Fortieth was assigned to the Second Brigade, and stationed on the Pigeon Roost road about a mile from the Thirty-ninth and Forty-first.
These troops were placed on picket and railroad guard duty, relieving the veteran regiments which were sent into the field to reinforce the several armies who were engaged in the great military operations which characterized the summer campaign 1864. The camp of the Fortieth was situated on a very unhealthy locality, being on the site of an old camp and suffered much from sickness. The other two regiments also suffered in the same manner but were somewhat better situated.
Nothing occurred during their short stay at Memphis, worthy of special mention except that on the 21st of August, a detachment of Forrest's cavalry dashed into the city by way of the Hernando road about daylight, driving the picket lines of the Thirty-Ninth, killing, it is said, three men of that regiment, and penetrated to the headquarters of the commanding generals whom they intended to capture. They, however, were lucky enough to escape, and the force retired, doing but little damage. The forces in Memphis were called out including the Hundred Day regiments. The Fortieth was promptly in line after
the alarm and through the City at a double quick and out on the Hernando road, where they were ordered to support a Missouri battery, which was engaged with the enemy, lying down about eighty rods in front, and hundred rods from the rebel line Here they lay while the artillery duel was going on. The Thirty-ninth and Forty-first took position in the rear of the Fortieth. As the rebels retired, the Fortieth went in pursuit for a mile or two when the pursuit was abandoned, and the regiments returned to camp. The casualties in the Fortieth were, Captain. Phelps, of Company G, struck by a fragment of shell but not seriously wounded; Asa Barnes of Company E, was slightly wounded in the thigh, and Sergeant Brown, of Company K, was shot through the leg, and a private of Company K, was slightly wounded. These regiments behaved with great coolness and had opportunity offered, would undoubtedly have done honorable service in a battle with the enemy

Their term of service having expired, they returned home and were mustered out of service, the Thirty-ninth on the 22 of September, the Fortieth on the 16th of September and the Forty first soon after its return.

In October, Governor Lewis, in transmitting the following Circular from President Lincoln, took occasion to express his Thanks to the volunteers constituting these regiments for their alacrity in responding to the call for this service, and for their efficient and faithful performance of a duty which contributed to such grand results, as was accomplished by Generals Grant and Sherman, during the term of service of these Regiments, reflecting much honor  upon themselves and the State. 

Their services were further acknowledged by President's Lincoln as follows:

EXECUTIVE MANSION
Washington City, D. C. 
October 1, 1864.
Special Executive order returning thanks to the Volunteers for one hundred days, from the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
The time of one hundred days, for which volunteers from the States of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin volunteers, under the Call of their respective Governors, in the months of May and June, to aid in the recent campaign of General Sherman, having expired, the President directs an official acknowledgement to be made of their patriotic services. It was their good fortune to render efficient service in the Southwest and to contribute to the victories of the National arms over the rebel forces in Georgia, under command of Johnston and Hood; and on all occasions and in every service to which they were assigned, their duty as patriotic volunteers was performed with alacrity and courage for which they are entitled, and are hereby tendered the national thanks, through the Governors of their respective States.
The Secretary of War is directed to transmit a copy of this order to the Governors of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, and to cause a certificate of their valuable services to be delivered to the officers and soldiers of the States above named who recently served in the military force of the United States as volunteers for one hundred days
(Signed)

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

The certificates of service were got up in substantial style on parchment paper, and form an honorable acknowledgment of the services performed by the officers and men of these regiments.
These certificates were distributed through the office of the Adjutant General of Wisconsin.