History FAQ - Part 1 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry The Scandinavian Regiment

1st Lieutenant Christian E. Tandberg of Company D
Captured December 31, 1862, Stone River, Tennessee
Photo Collection PH2361, State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Picture shown above has been enhanced electronically by Deep Vee Productions

This frequently asked questions (FAQ) file provides answers to the commonly asked questions below.  If you believe that one of the answers below is incorrect, incomplete, or misleading, then please email Scott Meeker at s.c.meeker@15thwisconsin.net

1. -- What's so special about the 15th Wisconsin?
A. -- The 15th was known as the "Scandinavian Regiment" because its soldiers were almost all immigrants who had been born in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.  While there were many ethnic units in the Civil War, and many Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes served in the Federal Army (some even in the Confederate Army), the 15th Wisconsin was the only Scandinavian regiment in either.  And while most Civil War units were raised in a single state, the 15th's soldiers were drawn from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  Like many ethnic units, commands were given in both English and the predominant ethnic tongue, in this case Norwegian.  The 15th Wisconsin enjoyed a reputation for bravery under fire and has a distinguished battle record.  During its 3 years' service approximately 1 out of every 3 of its soldiers died of disease or battle wounds, nearly 50 of them as captives at the infamous Andersonville Prison in Georgia.  In Quiner's The Military History of Wisconsin, the 15th Wisconsin is described as "one of the bravest and most efficient regiments that Wisconsin has sent to the field." (p. 631)

2. -- Why haven't I ever heard of the 15th Wisconsin?
A. -- Despite its uniqueness and excellent combat record, the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment is barely remembered today.  In part this is because most of the histories about it were written in Norwegian, as were most of the surviving letters and diaries penned by its soldiers.  It is also because the regimental and company order books, which recorded the day-to-day activities, have not been found.  The end result is that the 15th has been little researched, written, or spoken about outside of the Scandinavian-American community.  The 15th Wisconsin web site is designed to lessen this undeserved obscurity.

3. -- Where did the 15th Wisconsin serve and fight?
A. -- Here is an overview.  Additional information is available in the History section of this web site.

1861.  The 15th Wisconsin was formed in response to the Federal defeat at the first Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, and the desire of prominent members in Wisconsin's Norwegian-born population to raise a regiment of their own.  Recruitment began in September 1861 and Governor Harvey of Wisconsin appointed Hans C. Heg to command the regiment.  In December individual companies began arriving at Camp Randall, in Madison, Wisconsin, for training.

1862.  The 15th Wisconsin finished its training, received its flags, and was mustered into Federal service in late February.  In early March it left for the war, arriving a few weeks later at Island No. 10, Tennessee, in the Mississippi River, which it occupied in April after its defenders surrendered.  Before the island fell, the 15th went on a quick raid to Union City, Tennessee, where it helped surprise and route Confederate forces.  In June the 15th left 2 companies to guard Island No. 10 and went on campaign through Western Tennessee, and Northern Mississippi and Alabama under Generals Mitchell and Rosecrans.  In August it joined the Army of the Cumberland, with which it would remain for virtually the rest of the war.  From August 21st to September 26, 1862, it was part of General Buell's grueling 400 mile retreat from Iuka, Mississippi to Louisville, Kentucky.  It then participated in the bloody Battle of Perryville (Chaplin Hills), Kentucky, on October 8th, miraculously emerging without a single man killed.  In November the 15th marched to Nashville, Tennessee, under General William S. Rosecrans.  Just before the Battle of Stone(s) River (Murfreesboro), Tennessee, the 15th charged a Confederate artillery battery and captured a cannon.  During the December 30-31 battle, Colonel Heg and the 15th distinguished themselves with hard, sacrificial fighting, suffering a large number of casualties, including Lieutenant Colonel David McKee who was killed in action.

1863. In May, Colonel Heg was assigned to lead the 15th's brigade and Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson (Skipness) assumed command of the 15th.  That Summer it served under General Rosecrans on his grueling, but successful invasion of East Tennessee and capture of Chattanooga.  In late August the 15th made a daring and successful early morning assault over the Tennessee River in pontoon boats, becoming the first regiment to cross.  At the September 19-20 Federal defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, the 15th suffered very high casualties, including the death of Colonel Heg and the capture of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson.  All of the 15th's regimental officers were killed, disabled, or captured, leaving Captain Mons Grinager of Company K in command.  The 15th was so decimated that only the timely arrival of the 2 companies from Island No. 10 kept it from being merged into another regiment.  After their arrival the 15th was commanded by Captain John A. Gordon of Company G.  The regiment then suffered through the food and fuel shortages of the Confederate siege of Chattanooga.  In late November the 15th took part in the unplanned, but wildly successful assault up Mission(ary) Ridge that broke the siege and sent the Confederate Army fleeing.  Right after this Major George Wilson returned and assumed command.  After the assault the 15th was immediately dispatched under General William T. Sherman to help rescue Federal forces at Knoxville, Tennessee.  This effort saw the 15th march back and forth over the desolate Tennessee hills in freezing December weather with scanty rations and inadequate, worn-out clothing.  This experience greatly demoralized the 15th's soldiers.

1864.  Because they had previously agreed to reenlist as veteran volunteers and extend their term of service from 3 years to the duration of the war, the 15th's soldiers were scheduled for a 30 day furlough at home starting in January.  This was to be the first opportunity to go home that most had had in 2 years.  However, the Army kept postponing the furlough and moving the 15th from place to place for 2 months.  In disgust, all but a few of the 15th's soldiers decided not to reenlist.  In March the 15th did guard duty at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.  Starting in May the 15th participated in General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.  During this campaign the 15th fought in Georgia at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and at Pickett's Mill (often mistakenly referred to as Dallas or New Hope Church) where it suffered 50% casualties.  In July Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson resumed command, having escaped from Confederate guards and walked for a month to reach Federal lines.  In August the 15th helped lay siege to Atlanta and then in early September it helped defeat the Confederates at Jonesboro, which forced them to abandon Atlanta.  During the campaign the 15th marched and skirmished with the enemy almost every day.  After camping outside Atlanta for most of September, the 15th was ordered north to Chattanooga where it performed Provost (police) duty until mid-October.  The regiment was then ordered to guard railroad bridges between Chattanooga and Whitesides, Tennessee, where it was based until mustered out of service.  In December muster out began with its first recruited companies.

1865.  As each company mustered out, it was sent to Madison, Wisconsin, paid off, disbanded, and the men released to their homes.  During the muster out process the 15th's recruits and veterans were temporarily transferred to Company H.  When Co. H was mustered out in mid-February, the 15th Wisconsin ceased to exist.  Its recruits and veterans were then transferred to the 24th Wisconsin to serve out their remaining terms.  As the war ran down to its end in early April, the 15th's soldiers who were prisoners of war and still alive began to be released from Confederate prisons.  In ones and twos they were mustered out, paid off, and sent home.  Shortly after the war ended the 24th Wisconsin was mustered out and the 15th's remaining recruits and veterans were transferred to the 13th Wisconsin.  Finally, in June, the 13th was mustered out and the last of the 15th's soldiers were paid off and sent home.

4. -- Which were the 15th Wisconsin's bloodiest battles?
A. -- The 15th suffered its largest losses at Stone(s) River, Chickamauga, and Pickett's Mill.

The Battle of Stone(s) River (Murfreesboro), Tennessee, December 30-31, 1862, was not the 15th's first battle, but it was the first where it suffered a large number of casualties.  The regiment went into the fight on the right wing of the Federal Army with 17 officers and 290 enlisted men under the command of Colonel Hans C. Heg.  On the afternoon of the 30th the 15th advanced behind a strong skirmish line commanded by Lieutenant Colonel David McKee.  The 15th drove the enemy back to the area around the house of Mrs. William Smith before severe artillery fire and the withdrawal of other Federal regiments forced it to retreat slowly back.  That night the 15th suffered through the December cold without camp fires, shelter, or food.  Their losses on the first day were 6 killed and 35 wounded.  Early the next morning the 15th was caught up in the massive Confederate attack on the Federal right.  Only by careful firing and brave maneuvers was the 15th able to conduct a series of fighting withdrawals, starting near the Grissom house and ending at the railroad cut where General Rosecrans stopped the enemy with massed cannons and infantry.  The 15th's losses over the 2 days were 15 killed, including Lieutenant Colonel McKee, 70 wounded, and 34 missing for a total of 110 casualties (36% of the original 307).  It was later learned that most of the missing had been captured.  The 15th had just 197 officers and enlisted men left by the end of the battle.  For their bravery, Colonel Heg was cited in dispatches and several of the 15th's soldiers were later awarded the rank of Brevet Captain.

The Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19-20, 1863, was where the 15th Wisconsin was virtually destroyed during this, the second bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, and a huge Federal defeat.  The 15th went into the fighting on the right wing of the Federal Army with 176 officers and enlisted men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson.  On the afternoon of the 19th it fought hard, often at very close range, in the area around Viniard's Farm.  Late in the day the 15th was heavily engaged with Confederate forces in front when it was mistakenly fired upon from behind by a Federal regiment.  To escape the galling crossfire, Johnson ordered the 15th to disperse.  Though its soldiers joined other units and fought on, this was the end of the 15th as an organized unit on the first day.  In 4 hours it had suffered nearly 50% casualties.  In addition, Colonel Hans C. Heg was mortally wounded leading his brigade.  The next morning the 15th, with only some 90 officers and enlisted men left, was posted in reserve.  When Wood's Division was mistakenly withdrawn from the Federal lines, the 15th was hastily ordered into the gap just as Confederate forces under General Longstreet attacked en mass.  The 15th stood its ground briefly before being flanked and forced to flee to avoid capture.  Johnson and a number of others stayed too long and were taken prisoner.  The next morning just 75 officers and enlisted men answered roll call (43% of the original 176).  All of the regimental officers had been killed, disabled by wounds, or captured.  The 15th would have ceased to exist as a separate unit had it not been for the subsequent arrival of the 2 companies that had been left behind at Island No. 10; their numbers more than doubled the size of the regiment.  For their bravery at the battle several of the 15th's soldiers were later awarded the rank of Brevet Captain. [Note: the 15th Wisconsin at Viniard's Farm was recreated at the September 1999 reenactment of the Battle of Chickamauga as reported in the Reenacting section of this web site.]

The Battle of Pickett's Mill, Georgia (often mistakenly referred to as Dallas or New Hope Church), May 27, 1864, during General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, was such a severe and embarrassing defeat that Sherman skipped over it in his autobiography.  Despite the desperate and futile nature of the attack, the regiment, under the command of Major George Wilson, charged to within 15 yards of the Confederate entrenchments.  There it lay exposed for several hours, exchanging musket fire at point blank range until out of ammunition.  At dusk the 15th was ordered to withdraw.  While doing so the enemy charged, capturing some of the 15th, including many of the wounded.  Those captured were sent to the infamous Andersonville Prison, where most died before the war ended 11 months later.  The 15th's casualties in this 7 hour fight included 10 killed and 39 wounded.  For their bravery, several of the 15th's soldiers were later awarded the rank of Brevet Captain.

5. -- What were the 15th Wisconsin's official losses during the American Civil War?
A. -- According to Quiner's Military History of Wisconsin, the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment's original strength at its 1862 muster-in was 801 officers and enlisted men.  During its 3 years service the 15th gained 97 soldiers by recruitment, 1 by substitution, and 7 veterans for a total of 906 officers and enlisted men who served in the regiment at some point.  All of the 15th's soldiers were volunteers, none were draftees, though 1 was a paid substitute.  Of the 906 who served, the 15th Wisconsin lost the following.

267 (30%) by death from disease and battle.
204 (23%) discharged from the service, almost all for physical disabilities.
47 (5%) by transfer to other units, including the Veterans Reserve Corps, or to the Navy.
46 (5%) by desertion, some of whom were later shown to have been lawfully discharged.
22 (2%) recorded as missing, some of whom were later shown to have been discharged or died while prisoners of war.

Just 320 officers and enlisted men (35% of the 906) were still in the 15th when it mustered out of the Federal Army after 3 years.

This page Copyright by Scott Cantwell Meeker of Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Created January 24, 1999. Last updated July 15, 2001.

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