Training Camp

6th Wisconsin Battery formed out of Lone Rock Wisconsin in September 1861. They left for Camp Utley in Racine Oct.1. Approximately 153 men left.  During the time there was a lot of drilling/practicing what soldiers do and seeing the sites of Milwaukee. Some men decided to dessert while they were there.  Including a Sergeant. When their numbers went down in the Battery, more men were needed to keep their strength to at least 150. Those new recruits came from Lone Rock, Spring Green, Prairie du Sac, Avoca, Sextonville, Richland Center, Wyoming Valley, Orion, Bear Creek and other small towns in that area.

 Orders finally came to leave mid March 1862. They were to help fortify positions on the Mississipi River, Island number 10 at New Madrid, Missouri. The Union needed to keep an advantage of entering the South and the South could not invade the North.  They were not issued cannons yet so they helped other units.