The Wisconsin 26th Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War : Liberalism or Economics?

Abstract

This paper looks at the 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment which fought in the United States Civil War, and the reasons for enlistment. The men were all born in Germany, and had immigrated to the United States with their families sometime after the 1848 Revolution failed. This paper gives background to the Revolution; the reasons Germans left their country for the United States; and seeks to answer the question as to why these men fought in the Civil War. This is accomplished by using personal letters from a soldier of the unit, Adam Muenzenberger to his wife describing his view of the war. The argument is German men enlisted due to the large amount of pay involved; and did not enlist for political reasons as is emphasized by most scholars.