John Johnson fought all three days at Gettysburg. July 1-3, 1863

John's regiment, the 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, went into Gettysburg with 370 men. During those three days, it lost:

killed - 39

wounded - 103

missing - 52

Total 194

That's 53% (or half) of John's friends killed, wounded, or missing. These men had been together for two years, since August, 1961 when they mustered at Madison, Wisconsin. Many of these men, like John, were first generation Americans. They knew what America was all about, and that it was worth fighting for.

Throughout the entire Civil War, the 7th Wisconsin had more men killed in battle than any other Union regiment. (see Civil War page)

The 7th Wisconsin was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel William W. Robinson. Robinson took over the brigade during the battle, and Major Mark Finnicum then led the regiment.

The regiment reached the battlefield on the morning of July 1st and launched a counterattack against the Confederate Brigade of James Archer. Archer was captured and his brigade suffered heavy casualties. But Confederate reinforcements continued to arrive through the day and after several hours of heavy fighting the Union line north and west of Gettysburg collapsed.

The regiment's survivors retreated south of Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill. They were then posted on the north flank of Culp's Hill, which they held for the rest of the battle.

Closeup of the 5-sided symbol of the Iron Brigade

from the top of the Monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry at Gettysburg

7th Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Attached to the
1st Brigade, 1st Division
1st Army Corps

The monument to the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers
is west of Gettysburg on Meredith Avenue.(39.835747° N, 77.253888° W; map)

From the monument::

Iron Brigade7th Wis. Vol. Inft'y.
1st Brigade, 1st Div. 1st Corps.
This monument marks one of the
advanced positions of the regt. in battle
July 1st 1863.
It went into action with 370 and lost
killed - 39
wounded - 103
missing - 52
total - 194

List of engagements: Cedar Mountain, Catlett's Station, Rappahannock Station, Gainesville, 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh's Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Haymarket, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Gravelly Run, Five Forks and Appomattox C.H.

Position of Regt. July 2 & 3 indicated by stone marker on Culp's Hill.

From the right side:

This regt. was mustered into the
U.S. Service at Madison, Wis.
Aug. 18. 1861 for 3 years.
Reenlisted Dec. 28, 1863.
Mustered out July 3rd 1865,
having been in 25 battles.

Original strength 1029. Recruits 685.

Casualties:
Killed - 172.
Wounded - 761.
Died of wounds - 100.
Died of disease - 124.
Total 1157.

Wisconsin cherishes the memory
of her brave sons.

About the monument to the 7th Wisconsin

The monument is made of red granite on a granite base and stands 11' 4' tall. It is topped by the five-sided symbol of the Iron Brigade. On the front face is the circle symbol of the Union First Corps. Other symbols include an eagle over crossed flags on the right side, crossed rifles behind a knapsack on the front, and the Wisconsin state seal on the left side.
The monument's material and symbols are identical and its design is very similar to that of the monument to the 6th Wisconsin. It was dedicated by the State of Wisconsin on June 30th, 1888.The monument to the 7th Wisconsin is unusual in that it faces away from the park road. Meredith Avenue was realigned after the monument was placed and the monument still faces toward the old road alignment.