Robert Gray
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
Located on the north side of St. Louis, Benton Barracks was one of the most important Union Army training camps in Missouri during the Civil War. The 150-acre complex was established in 1861, and contained barracks, warehouses, and numerous other buildings. A number of Missouri Union regiments were organized there, including some of the state's African-American units. Soon after the war, the camp was closed and nothing remains of the wartime home of thousands of Federal soldiers.
Pictured in the first photograph is the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry at Benton Barracks.
The 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from December 30, 1861 through March 10, 1862, and mustered into service under the command of Colonel Cadwallader C. Washburn. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Frontier.
The regiment participated in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. During the war it served in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and finally Texas, where it was mustered out on November 15, 1865.
It disbanded on December 14, 1865 at Madison, Wisconsin.
The regiment lost 312 men during service. Twenty-four enlisted men were killed. Four officers and 284 enlisted men died from disease.
The second photo is of Colonel Cadwallader C. Washburn and staff at Benton Barracks.
The third photo is of Benton Barracks.
Photo credits:
1) Wilson's Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30837.
2) The Photographic History Of The Civil War
Frances T. Miller - Editor in Chief - The Review of Reviews Co. - 1911.
3) Iowa Digital Library.
Pictured in the first photograph is the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry at Benton Barracks.
The 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from December 30, 1861 through March 10, 1862, and mustered into service under the command of Colonel Cadwallader C. Washburn. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Frontier.
The regiment participated in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. During the war it served in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and finally Texas, where it was mustered out on November 15, 1865.
It disbanded on December 14, 1865 at Madison, Wisconsin.
The regiment lost 312 men during service. Twenty-four enlisted men were killed. Four officers and 284 enlisted men died from disease.
The second photo is of Colonel Cadwallader C. Washburn and staff at Benton Barracks.
The third photo is of Benton Barracks.
Photo credits:
1) Wilson's Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30837.
2) The Photographic History Of The Civil War
Frances T. Miller - Editor in Chief - The Review of Reviews Co. - 1911.
3) Iowa Digital Library.
Bringing the