The 25th Wisconsin was organized at La Crosse, Wisconsin and mustered into Federal service September 14, 1862. The Regiment was immediately sent west to help Minnesota deal with the Sioux uprising. Wisconsin was part of the Army's newly formed Department of Dakota that had been created to deal with the problem. The Department was Headquartered at Fort Snelling under the command of Major General John Pope. The Regiment arrived at Fort Snelling on the 22nd of September. General Pope wanted to create a line of outposts from Fairmount to Alexandria with the 25th: A Co- Fairmount, B Co-Alexandria, C Co- Sauk Center, D, F, &amp; I- Mankato, G Co- Richmond, E &amp; H Co Paynesville and K Co- Winnebago.