I do not find a listing for Otto Treptow in the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in the Wisconsin Adj. General's report, Broadfoot's rosters, or the NPS S&S system. He is not listed in Company G "Neenah Guards" on the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry internet website's rolls.

However, I have a copy of his NARA microfilmed pension index card. It shows his service in the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company G. He received an invalid class pension for that service (1927) and his wife, Louisa, later received a widow's class pension based on that service (1930).

Family history has it that he came from Germany during the Civil War as a mercenary, was assigned to the 3rd Wisc. Inf. (as is confirmed by his pension index card) and received the island in Wisconsin on which he later lived as a land grant for his service to the State of Wisconsin. The island is located within the county from where most of the men of Company G came.

Not having worked with Union pensions, at all, I am assuming that proving service in a particular regiment was as difficult as when applying for a Confederate pension. If that is the case, it seems that he was clearly able to prove service in Company G of the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry.

Why does he not have a service record with the 3rd? Could it possibly be that it was because the 3rd was a volunteer regiment, and he was a paid mercenary? Would he therefore not be listed on the muster rolls for the regiment? Anybody have any other ideas why he would not have a service record?