The majority of this collection concerns the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment of
Volunteers, Company F, during the Civil War. The documents are official records of the
Regiment, which include descriptive lists of clothing, lists of camp clothing and garrison
equipment, and ordnance and ordnance stores. Also contains hospitalization and furlough
records for the company, as well as a few desertion and discharge records.
The descriptive lists of clothing describes the amount allowed by the government, the
amount of clothing drawn, and the balance due. These records also give names of soldiers,
physical descriptions, the soldiers' occupation, where he enlisted, and the term of
enlistment.
The lists of camp clothing and garrison equipment are quarterly reports of clothing, camp,
and garrison equipment returned to the Quartermaster General's office (1862-1865). Also
contains reports of equipment lost in battle, including canteens, knapsacks, etc.
The Ordnance Office records concern materials returned or owed to it by Company C, F, and K
(1863 and 1864). There are also two accounts of Austrian rifle muskets being exchanged for
Springfield muskets during battle because they wouldn't fire.
The hospitalization records describe the amount of pay drawn by those who were
hospitalized (1862-1864). There is also a letter written by a wounded private asking for a
descriptive roll so that he can receive his clothing and pay (October 1864).
The furlough records describe who went where, for how long, and travel costs. The desertion
records contain letters detailing the amount given to men who returned deserters (1863). The
majority of the material deals with Private Otis Darling who deserted 20 October 1863. The
discharge records are official discharge records from hospitals and the discharging office
itself (1862-64). There are a few death notices from hospitals which explain how and when
the soldier died along with an inventory of effects left behind.
There is one discharge paper for a Corporal Albert West of Company E, November 1862 (the
Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers lists West as being in
Company F). There are two desertion letters concerning Peter Anderson of Company K
explaining where and when he deserted (June 1865). There is also one certificate of absence
for a W.W. Spinnell of Company C (January 1865).
