The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was a volunteer cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment is most notable as one of two cavalry regiments credited with the final capture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865.

Service

The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Ripon and Kenosha, Wisconsin, between September 1, 1861, and February 2, 1862. Wisconsin was initially only approved to raise a battalion of four companies of cavalry, but in the Fall of 1861 their allotment was raised to six companies, then to a full regiment of 12 companies. The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry mustered into Federal service on March 10, 1862. The regiment participated in the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865. The regiment was mustered out at Edgefield, Tennessee, on July 19, 1865.

Total strength and casualties

The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry initially recruited 1,124 officers and men. An additional 1,417 men were recruited as replacements, for a total of 2,541 men. The regiment suffered 6 officers and 67 enlisted men killed or died from wounds in action, and 7 officers and 321 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 401 fatalities.

Commanders

Notable people