Wolcott enlisted as a private in Company A, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry from April 17, 1861 to July 31, 1861.
This was a 90 day enlistment that went long. The Unit was held past their enlistment to fight in the 1st. battle of
Manassas (Bull Run). Following the battle at Bull Run the unit returned to Connecticut and was discharged.Wolcott enlisted again, this time as a second lieutenant in Company A, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in September 1861 and served with the 8th Connecticut until he received a medical discharge as a Captain in December 1862. Serving under Brigadier General Ambrose Burnsides in the North Carolina Expeditionary Corps, his unit fought at Roanoke Island in Feb. 1862, New Bern N.C. in March 1862, and Fort Macon in April 1862. Wolcott was promoted to Captain of Company F, 8th Conn. and the unit was returned to Washington after the North Carolina Campaign. From Washington they marched to the battle of South Mountain in early September 1862, then to Antietam where Wolcott lost most of his company to the Confederate troops marching from Harpers Ferry to join the battle at Sharpsburg. After this battle Wolcott was granted 20 days sick leave, having contracted malaria in the North Carolina low country. He rejoined his unit outside Fredericksburg and participated in the Union defeat there. After the defeat at the battle of Fredericksburg Wolcott was given a medical discharge and returned to Hartford. |
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