The 4th Wisconsin was raised as an infantry regiment at Camp Utley in Racine and was mustered into Federal service on July 2, 1861.

[1] It was first assigned to garrison duty in Maryland, then in February 1862 was transferred to Newport News, Virginia.

It became part of the Army of the Gulf and was subsequently sent to New Orleans, Louisiana.

During the following year, the 4th Wisconsin participated in several expeditions against Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Port Hudson, Louisiana.

The regiment lost 9 officers and 158 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounds, plus another 2 officers and 113 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 282 fatalities.