The History of the
Wisconsin National Guard in Watertown
While Watertown is currently the home of Troop B, 1-105TH
Cavalry of the 32d "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade Combat Team, it has
been home to several different Wisconsin National Guard units throughout the
years. This is just a partial list detailing what I have found so far; further
information will be added as it is found.
Today, Watertown's Turner Hall looks much the same as it did in 1939,
when the Wisconsin National Guard used it as their Armory.
More information about Turner Hall
can be found at the Watertown Historical Society.
During the summer of 1846, under the provisions of the territorial law,
the voters of the Wisconsin Territory assembled at the county seats and
organized military regiments by electing field officers of regiments. Meanwhile
the militia of the Territory were being organized into divisions and brigades.
There were three divisions (First, Second and Third) of two brigades each. The 1st
Brigade of the Third Division was comprised of Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge
and Columbia Counties.
In all probability, this process referred to the enrolled militia. There were two types of militia in the United States, dating back to colonial times. The enrolled militia was simply a list containing the names of all men of military age who would be obligated to take up arms in the event of a war (not unlike the Selective Service in existence today). The organized militia, on the other hand, was comprised of men (full time citizens, part-time soldiers) in organized units in their communities who would meet periodically for military training.
Watertown's
first active unit was formed in May of 1851 as the Watertown Rifle
Company. The name was at some point shortened to Watertown Rifles. The
original leaders of the Watertown Rifle Company included CPT Henry Boegel, 1LT
Gotlieb Baumann, 2LT C. W. Schultz and 1SG John Reichert. The Company's motto
was "In time of peace, prepare for war."
In 1853, a second unit was organized in Watertown, the Watertown Artillery. The original leaders of the Watertown Artillery included CPT Benjamin Campbell, 1LT John Williams and 2LT Henry Mulberger.
In 1859 the Watertown Artillery changed their name to Governor's Artillery and they elected new officers; CPT Henry Mulberger, 1LT Jacob Hoeffner and 2LT Charles Riedinger.
On 17 December 1860, the Adjutant General of the State of Wisconsin, James A. Swain of Mineral Point, filed a report to the Governor of Wisconsin detailing how the various companies of the militia were organized. On that date, the Militia of Wisconsin was comprised of 50 companies of volunteers with a combined strength of 1,993 men (the average strength of a company was about 40 men). Watertown still had two companies at that time; the Watertown Rifles, commanded by CPT Bauman, with a strength of 42 men and the Governor's Artillery, commanded by CPT Mulberger, with a strength of 35 men.
The 1861 Annual Report of the Adjutant General (Wm. L. Utley), includes information regarding the 3rd Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry and its organization for the Civil War. Co. A of the 3rd Regiment of Infantry was the Watertown Rifles, commanded by CPT Darius S. Gibbs, 1LT Henry Bertram and 2LT Louis H. D. Crane (Ripon).
In addition to Co. A from Watertown, the 3rd Regiment included: Co. B, Scott's Volunteers, Oshkosh; Co. C, Green County Volunteers, Monroe; Co. D, Waupun Light Guard; Co. E, Williamstown Union Rifles, Mayville; Co. F, Grant County Union Guards, Boscobel; Co. G, Neenah Guards; Co. H, La Fayette Rifles, Darlington; Co. I, Shullsburg Light Guards; Co. K, Dane County Guards. The 3rd Regiment had a total strength of 979 soldiers.
The 3rd Wisconsin Regiment of Infantry was called into camp at Fond du Lac (Camp Hamilton) about 15 June 1861. The Regiment was placed under the Command of COL Charles S. Hamilton, a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the War with Mexico. The 3rd Regiment mustered into U.S. service 29 June. Received marching orders 6 July. Started for Harrisburg 12 July. Initally stationed at Frederickstown, Maryland.
On 5
July 1880 the Watertown Rifles were organized in Watertown.
On 28 May 1881, the Fourth Battalion (Wisconsin National Guard) was
organized. The Watertown Rifles were part of the Fourth Battalion.
In 1881 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT
Geo. Henze, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nic. Bruegger. The company had a strength of
63.
In 1882,
the Wisconsin National Guard was organized into two regiments (the First and
Second) and two battalions (the Third and Fourth) by Wisconsin Adjutant General
Chandler P. Chapman (from Madison). The Watertown Rifles were Company
D of the Fourth Battalion.
In
1882 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT Geo. Henze, 1LT C. F.
Zautner, 2LT Nic. Bruegger. The company had a strength of 66.
In 1883 the officers in the Watertown Rifles were CPT Albert Solliday,
1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nich. Breugger.
In 1883 the Assistant Surgeon for the 4th Battalion was W. E. Spalding from
Watertown.
In 1884,
The Watertown Rifles were assigned as Company I of the Second
Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
In
1885 the officers were CPT Albert Solliday, 1LT C. F. Zautner, 2LT Nicholas
Breugger.
In 1887 the officers were CPT Albert Solliday, 1LT Nicholas Bruegger, 2LT Wm.
Wurtzler.
In 1888, Company I, 2nd Wis. Inf., was mustered out.
Watertown was without a military unit for several years until World War I.
On 15 July 1917, the Wisconsin National Guard was activated for Federal Service. The unit in Watertown was Company E of the Fifth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Captain Albert F. Solliday, was in command, assisted by 1LT Jas. T. Hale and 2LT Lawrence W. Murphy.
On 17 August 1917, Co. E left Watertown and went to Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.
On 31 August 1917, the strength of Company E is listed at 3 officers and 86 enlisted men.
On 25 September 1917, Co. E was sent from Camp Douglas, Wisconsin to Camp MacArthur, near Waco, Texas.
The entire Wisconsin National Guard left the State and went to Camp MacArhur, near Waco, Texas. Once there, the Wisconsin and Michigan National Guards were consolidated to form the 32nd Division. All of the Wisconsin National Guard units were reorganized and renamed to conform to the organization of Army Divisions at that time. The Fifth Wisconsin Infantry was no exception, it was broken up and parts of it assigned to the 57th Depot Brigade. The 57th Depot Brigade was only a temporary unit. Personnel assigned to the 57th Depot Brigade were used to organize new units that were needed for the Division but were not in existence. Once all of its personnel were assigned to other units, the 57th Depot Brigade ceased to exist. Many of the soldiers from Watertown were assigned to the 120th Machine Gun Battalion.
Once training was completed at Camp MacArthur, the 32nd Division was shipped to France to fight in World War I. See the 32nd Division Veteran Association web site for more information about the 32nd Division in the World War.
After
the Wisconsin National Guard was activated into federal service for World War I,
the Wisconsin State Guard was created to take its place in the state for the
duration of the war. The Wisconsin State Guard consisted of four infantry
regiments (of 12 companies each) and a State Guard Reserve made up of 39
separate companies and 5 separate platoons. Watertown was home to the Ninth
Separate Company and its officers were Captain Walter A. Simon, First
Lieutenant August C. Henze and Second Lieutenant Albert R. Preusse. The
Wisconsin State Guard was deactivated during 1920-21 as the Wisconsin National
Guard was reactivated. See the Wisconsin
Military History page of this web site for more information about the
Wisconsin State Guard.
On 28 May 1920, Troop G of the First Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was organized in Watertown with Captain Jacob Sproesser in command.
Troop G's horses were stabled near the west side fire station; later they were moved to stables in the area of the old fair grounds, the present site of the Watertown airport. During the cavalry troop's existence, its members and their horses participated in every parade that Watertown held.
On 1
April 1921, Troop G of the First Cavalry Regiment was redesignated as Troop
D, 105th Cavalry Regiment.
In 1927, the unit in Watertown is listed as Troop G, Second Squadron, 105th Regiment Cavalry. Troop G officers are listed as CPT Jacob Sproesser, 1st Lt. Edwin R. Kaercher and 2nd Lt. Bernard J. Richter.
On 20 March 1928, the 105th Cavalry Regiment Band was transferred to Watertown from Eau Claire. Warrant Officer Edwin J. Woelffer became the band leader.
On 15 June 1929, Troop D, 105th Cavalry Regiment was redesignated Troop K, 105th Cavalry Regiment. Captain Edwin H. Kaercher had assumed command of the unit on 29 March 1929.
Captain G. O. Lewandowski assumed command of the unit on 17 February 1937.
During 1939, Troop K, 105th Cavalry conducted its drills at Turner Hall in Watertown. Captain J. G. Richter assumed command of the unit on 24 February 1939 and was assisted by Lts. M. Rohr, Jr. and P. E. Wiley.
I do not know the whole time period that Turner Hall served as the Armory for the Wisconsin National Guard in Watertown, I only know for sure that it happened in 1939. There have been at least three buildings in Watertown that have served as an Armory for the Wisconsin National Guard. The current Armory, built in 1954, is the only one of the three that has served solely as a dedicated Armory for the Wisconsin National Guard. The other two buildings were owned and operated by some organization which allowed the Watertown National Guard unit to conduct its part-time drills there. I do not know much about the third building, only that it was shared with some aspect of the Watertown school system and the building was torn down a number of years ago and a hotel now occupies the site.
Early
in 1940 the cavalry units of the Wisconsin National Guard were converted
to artillery units. Troop K, 105th Cavalry became Battery F, 2nd Battalion,
126th Field Artillery Regiment. The 105th Cavalry Regiment Band became the 126th
Field Artillery Regiment Band. The 126th FA Band was commanded by Warrant
Officer W. Hart.
On 15 October 1940 the 32nd Division was mobilized into Federal Service in preparation for World War II.
On 22 October 1940 Battery F and the Band left Watertown for Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.
Early in 1942, when the 32nd Division was converted from a “square” division with four infantry regiments into a “triangular” division built around three infantry regiments, the existing three artillery regiments (120th, 121st and 126th) were converted into four separate battalions (120th, 121st, 126th and 129th). The now excess batteries and soldiers were transferred to other units. Most of the Watertown soldiers of Battery F, 126th FA Regiment were assigned to a different unit and served in the European theater in World War II. Others, including CPT J. Richter, Lt. L. Reinhard, Lt. M. Rohr, Lt. O. Crocker and Lt. H. Behling stayed with the 126th FA Battalion of the 32nd Division. CPT Richter later was promoted to LTC and became commander of the 120th FA Battalion of the 32nd Division in the Philippines Campaign. See the 32nd Division Veteran Association web site for more information about the 32nd Division in World War II.
Most of the members of the 126th FA Band went to New York in World War II (while the 126th FA Regiment was authorized its own band, when it became the 126th FA Battalion it was not authorized its own band). Band members were assigned to the Brooklyn Army Base, N. Y., at the port of embarkation. The band combined with a band from Fort Hamilton, as one unit, with a new bandmaster, Warrant Officer O. Thomson. It was then designated the New York Port of Embarkation Band. The band provided entertainment for such events as visits to veteran’s hospitals, bond rallies, embarkation dances, ticker tape parades for returning heroes and the parade review for President Roosevelt. It also served as a dance orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria, for Jimmy Durante and many others. The band was deactivated in 1946.
In 1955 the unit in Watertown was Company M, 3rd Battalion, 426th
Infantry Regiment of the 
32nd
Infantry Division.
Prior to the end of World War II, the 32nd Division had been comprised of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard units. When the Division was reactivated after World War II, it was entirely a Wisconsin National Guard unit. New units had to be created in Wisconsin to replace the Division units that were part of the Michigan National Guard. On 3 June 1946, the 426th Infantry Regiment was reconstituted as a Wisconsin National Guard unit and assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division to replace the 126th Infantry Regiment which stayed in Michigan. The original designation of the 426th Infantry was held by an Organized Reserve Regiment in Ohio, and existed there from 1930 until 1946, when it was disbanded.
During
1961-62, when the 32nd Infantry Division of the Wisconsin National Guard
was ordered to active duty because of the Berlin Crisis, the unit from
Watertown was Company C, 3rd Battle Group, 127th Infantry Regiment of
the 32nd Infantry Division. The 32nd Division deployed to Fort Lewis,
Washington and trained there for about a year.
In 1964, two units are listed for Watertown; Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 32nd Aviation Battalion of the 32nd Division and Company B of the 32nd Aviation Battalion.
From at least January 1971 to 1 February 1980, Company C, 2/128th Infantry was in Watertown. For some or all of this time, the unit in Watertown was Company C (-) with a detachment of Company C in Hartford.
From about 1 February1980 to about 1992, Company C, 2nd Battalion (TLAT),128th Infantry was in Watertown. For some or all of this time, the unit in Watertown was Company C (-) with a detachment of Company C in Hartford. (These dates are rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
From about 1993 to about 1994, Company D, 2/127th Infantry of the 32nd Infantry Brigade was in Watertown. (These dates are very rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
For some time around 1995 until October of 1996, the unit in Watertown was Detachment 1, Company E, 2/127th Infantry of the 32nd Infantry Brigade. (These dates are very rough. I will add more specific information when I find it.)
In October of 1996 Company E, 2/127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Brigade moved to Watertown from Appleton.
From 7-22 July 2000 Company E, 2/127th Infantry went to Gowen Field, Idaho, as part of Task Force 632 for annual training. TF 632 consisted of several units from the 2/127th Infantry and the 632nd Armor BN of the 32nd 'Red Arrow' Infantry Brigade. This was a unique AT because we rarely conduct AT anywhere other than Fort McCoy.
In November
of 2000 the 2/127th Infantry conducted an Infantry platoon exchange with
the Chilean army for two weeks. Chile sent an Infantry platoon to Wisconsin to
train at Fort McCoy and the 2/127th Inf. sent a platoon to Chile to train with
the Chilean army. The platoon from the 2/127th Inf. was comprised of soldiers
from several different companies in the Battalion. Company E, 2/127th
Infantry in Watertown sent several soldiers to Chile with the platoon from
the 2/127, including SGT T. Orlowski, SPC M. Haack and SPC J. Wolff (I think
there were other Echo Co. soldiers too, but I'm not positive).
On 1 October 2001 Co. E, 2/127th Inf. (M) was reorganized as Company
D, 2/128th Infantry (L), 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade. 
On 23 January 2003 about 100 soldiers from various 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade units began active duty with Task Force Red Arrow in support of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). Task Force Red Arrow supplemented security for two years at three of Wisconsin's airbases, the 440th Air-lift Wing in Milwaukee, the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, and the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison. Nine soldiers from Company D, 2/128th Infantry volunteered, some for one year, some for two years, those soldiers were SFC Bruss, SSG van de Vyver, SGT Wolff, SPC Desmith, SPC Hughes, SPC Firary, SPC Graham, SPC Schroeder, SPC Thomas.
On 18 March 2003 the 724th EN BN of the WNG was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many 32nd 'Red Arrow' Infantry Brigade soldiers volunteered to backfill the 724th EN BN because they were understrength. Eight soldiers from Company D, 2/128th Infantry volunteered to mobilize with the 724th EN BN, those soldiers were 1LT Straseskie, SSG R. Smithson, SGT W. Smithson, CPL J. Smithson, SPC Haack, SPC Remus, SPC McPhillips, SPC Schuett. They returned to Wisconsin from Iraq on 29 March 2004.
On 20 June 2004 the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade's 1st
Battalion, 128th Infantry, was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Many 2/128th Inf. soldiers were assigned to backfill the 1/128th Inf. because
they were understrength. Eighteen soldiers from Company D, 2/128th Infantry
mobilized with the 1/128th Inf., those soldiers were SFC Tennies, SSG Fahney,
SSG Long, SGT Heller, SGT Johnson, SGT Schmidtkunz, SPC Giesecke, SPC Green,
SPC Hibbs, SPC Hughes, SPC Larson, SPC Nehring, SPC Sahf, SPC White, PFC
Braunschweig, PFC Lasco, PFC Meixner, PFC Whitman. They left Wisconsin on 23
June for training at Camp Shelby, MS, and Fort Irwin, CA, before being deployed
to Iraq.
On 17 August 2005 the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade's 2nd
Battalion, 128th Infantry, was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Forty-four soldiers from Company D, 2/128th Infantry, mobilized with
their Battalion. However, due to the nonsensical reorganization of the
Battalion for the deployment, the Watertown soldiers did not serve with Company
D, they were reassigned to Co. A, Co. B, and HHC (the majority served with Co.
A). Ten soldiers from Co. D had been mobilized earlier with other units and,
although they were not required to, they volunteered for a second mobilization
so they could deploy with Co. D.
Between 25 Oct. and 3 Nov. 2005 the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry
Brigade's 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, (which included 18 soldiers from Company
D, 2/128th Infantry) returned to Wisconsin at the conclusion of their
mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After
several days of demobilization processing at Fort McCoy they were released to
return to their homes, families and friends.
Between 9-11 Nov. 2006 the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade's
2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry, (which included 41 soldiers from Company D,
2/128th Infantry) returned to Wisconsin at the conclusion of their
mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After
several days of demobilization processing at Fort McCoy they were released to
return to their homes, families and friends. Two soldiers from Company D,
2/128th Infantry volunteered to extend their deployment, they redeployed to
Afghanistan from Kuwait and should return home in the spring of 2007.
On 8 Sep. 2007 Company D, 2-128TH Infantry began its transition to Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry. The 2-128TH Infantry will reorganize to the 1-105TH Cavalry as part of the 32d "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade’s reorganization to the 32d "Red Arrow" Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
On 2 Dec. 2007 Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry received an alert notification for possible mobilization in early 2009 in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
On 29 Sep. 2008 Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry received a mobilization order for mobilization in early 2009 to deploy in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
On 10 Jan. 2009 Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry departed Watertown bound for Camp Blanding, FL, for 21 days of pre-mobilization training. The unit returned to Watertown on 31 Jan.
On 1 Feb. 2009 Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry reported for mobilization at the Watertown armory. The unit continued pre-mobilization preparations at the armory for 18 days. Bravo Troop participated in the 32d IBCT send-off ceremony at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on 17 Feb. At the conclusion of that ceremony they returned to Watertown to attend a local send-off ceremony, planned and executed by the Watertown Veteran’s Council, at Watertown High School. The unit departed the Watertown armory on 19 Feb. to go to Fort McCoy to prepare for movement to its mobilization station. Bravo Troop left Wisconsin on 22 Feb. when they took off from Volk Field, they landed at Fort Bliss, TX, a couple of hours later to begin their pre-deployment training.
After completing pre-deployment training, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry departed Fort Bliss, TX, on 1 May 2009 bound for Kuwait for several days of in-theater training. The unit’s main body landed in Baghdad, Iraq, on 13 May to officially begin its deployment mission at FOB Cropper, Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq.
After successfully completing its mission, Troop B, 1-105TH Cavalry left Iraq on 13 Jan. 2010 to return to Wisconsin and begin the demobilization process at Fort McCoy. The unit was officially released at Fort McCoy on 18 Jan. and the Troopers returned to their homes, Family, and friends.
Visit the web site of the Watertown Historical Society for
some interesting information and photos about Watertown's history.
Sources
include:
The Annual Report of the Adjutant General (Wisconsin), 1860
The Annual Report of the Adjutant General (Wisconsin), 1861
The History of Jefferson County, 1879
Wisconsin in the World War
The 32nd Division in the World War
1927 Wisconsin Blue Book
National Guard of the United States - State of Wisconsin - 1939
32nd Infantry Division - World War II
The Red Arrow - The 32nd Division - Wisconsin National Guard - 1955
1962 Wisconsin Blue Book
1964 Wisconsin Blue Book
Contact Bravo Troop's
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revised 27 June 2010
since 20 February 1999