The 33rd Wisconsin participated in the Western Theater of the American Civil War as a component of General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee.

Colonel Lovell in command of the regiment through most of 1863 and 1864, including their part in the Battle of Nashville, in December 1864.

[1] In January 1865, Lovell was promoted to colonel and given command of the newly organized 46th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

The 46th Wisconsin did not see combat and served solely in defense of logistics and supply lines until the end of the war.

[1][4]: 354  On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Lovell for a brevet to brigadier general of volunteers, effective from October 11, 1865.