Local author completes book on Mazomanie Civil War Veterans

Mazomanie historian Frank E. Wolf, after four years of research, has completed his sixth book of local history. It is devoted to the civil war veterans of Mazomanie. 

Wolf researched 317 enlistees including two women who participated in the American Civil War. The book includes biographical sketches, photos, battle maps and other relevant information about each veteran. Of particular interest are those soldiers who wrote diaries of their experiences. The diaries reside in the archives of the Mazomanie Historical Society. Other individual biographical material is included from obituaries, local news articles, genealogical data, records of GAR activities, reunions, and Memorial Day observations gleaned from village and state sources.

Mazomanie veterans participated in all the major Civil War battles. The members of the Iron Brigade participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run, and the Battles of Gainesville, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Appomattox, and others. Eighty-seven were in the Wisconsin 11th Infantry which fought at Vicksburg, a turning point in the battle for control of the West and the Mississippi River. The Iron Brigade suffered proportionately the most casualties in the war. The 8th Wisconsin, a component of the brigade, was noted for carrying an eagle, Old Abe, into its battles with the confederates.

Wolf’s book is dedicated to the memory of Virgil Matz, an active member of The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and a Research Historian of the Mazomanie Historical Society. Matz provided valuable assistance in the organization and content of Wolf’s book.

The book’s cover features a photo of Ethan Blynn who served 22 months in three Wisconsin Infantry Regiments, the 11th, 40th and 49th. The book’s title reflects a spelling of Mazomanie popular during this period of village history.

The last Mazomanie civil war veteran to be buried in Dane County was Charles Moulton, singled out by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and scheduled for special recognition on Memorial Day 2020. Moulton who enlisted at the age of 15 and died in 1940, is remembered in Mazomanie as the architect of the Mazomanie Community Building on Brodhead St.

Frank E. Wolf will be the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Mazomanie Historical Society set for 2 PM, January 26, 2020. 

Civil War Mazo Manie is published by the author and will be available for purchase at $20.