Reenactment Report 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Chickamauga 1999

Reenacting "Assault of Heg's Brigade"
Photo taken September 18, 1999 near Ringgold, Georgia.
Photo used with permission of Svend Olsen and family.

On the weekend of September 11-19, 1999, a public reenactment was held of the September 19-20, 1863, Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. The reenactment took place near the Town of Ringgold, in Catoosa County, Georgia -- just a few miles from the original Chickamauga battlefield.

Reenactors of the 15th just before the battle. Center right is Lars Gjertveit from Norway. Photo courtesy of John Atkinson

The reenactment was organized by a non-profit group to raise money for the preservation of endangered Civil War battlefields in Tennessee and Georgia. The military parts of the event were organized by the North/South Alliance (N/SA), a national reenacting group.

The N/SA approved the Saturday morning focus on Colonel Heg's Brigade and the 15th Wisconsin. It also planned and orchestrated an hour-long reenactment featuring Heg's Brigade, which included the 15th Wisconsin. This part of the weekend's reenacting activities was called the "Assault of Heg's Brigade."

The Chickamauga event was the very first time that either Heg's Brigade or the 15th Wisconsin had ever been recreated at a battle reenactment, and it was probably the only time they ever will be.

In the year leading up to the reenactment, official reports, personal remembrances, and company rosters of the 15th soldiers who were at the battle were researched and posted on the 15th website. Included were photos, genealogical data, and facts about the soldier's service in the 15th. This was done to help insure the historical accuracy of the reenactment. To access these resources, click HERE.

Heg's Brigade and Confederates exchanging fire The 15th is on right of line in the middleground Photo courtesy of Martha C. Meeker

Assault of Heg's Brigade

This portion of the Chickamauga reenactment weekend was an attempt to recreate a portion of the vicious fighting that originally took place around Viniard's Farm on the afternoon of September 19, 1863. There Heg's soldiers clashed with Confederate units from Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.

It was at Viniard's that Heg's Brigade and the 15th fought the longest and suffered the most casualties during the 2 day battle. Heg's Brigade lost 57% of its soldiers killed, wounded, or captured at Chickamauga -- including Col. Heg who was mortally wounded at Viniard's Farm. The 15th Wisconsin lost 111 of the 176 officers and enlisted men, equal to 63% of the soldiers it entered the battle with.

The "Assault of Heg's Brigade" involved some 5,000 Union and Confederate reenactors and several dozen cannons. It was watched by several thousand members of the public, including about 40 descendants of original 15th soldiers, including many members of the Heg family. It was also observed by several distinguished guests representing Norway, as well as by Norwegian TV, newspaper, and magazine reporters.

Ta den Johnny! ~ Take that Johnny! 15th reenactors fire a musket volley Photo courtesy of John Atkinson

Heg's Brigade was portrayed by reenactors serving under the First Federal Division (FFD), which was led by Brigadier General Charles Warnick. The FFD is the Union half of the N/SA. BGen. Warnick's commitment to doing a portrayal of Heg's Brigade and the 15th at the reenactment was absolutely indispensable. Much thanks is due him for this, and to his Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Steven Draper, who worked very hard to help make it happen.

Colonel Hans Christian Heg of Heg's Brigade was portrayed by Colonel Bill Christen, the former head of the Western Brigade reenacting organization. Col. Christen's dedication to recreating Heg's Brigade was instrumental in winning N/SA approval. Col. Christen reenacted Heg's mortal wounding, which occurred during the fighting at Viniard's Farm. He also reenacted Heg's final minutes, during which Heg was attended by his brother-in-law, Regimental Surgeon Stephen Himoe, portrayed by Ted Barber, a reenactor with the 4th Michigan, Co. A.

The 15th Wisconsin was portrayed by reenactors serving with the Army of the Pacific (AoP) reenacting organization. The AoP is commanded by Colonel Dom Dal Bello, and is highly-respected for its historically authentic portrayals of Western Federal Infantry. Col. Dal Bello's support was crucial to getting approval to recreate the 15th Wisconsin at the Chickamauga reenactment. The AoP's 15th Wisconsin battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Steve Dunfee portraying Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson, who commanded the 15th at the original Battle of Chickamauga.

Like ghosts in the fog of war Heg's Brigade late in the reenactment. Photo courtesy of Judy Sandberg, 15th descendant

Many of the 200 or so reenactors who recreated the 15th were portraying specific 15th soldiers who had fought at Chickamauga. Two of these reenactors were related to original 15th soldiers. And 4 of the reenactors had flown over from Norway and Denmark to participate in the 15th portrayal.

It is estimated that during the hour-long battle the Union and Confederate reenactors involved fired off some 200,000 rounds of musket ammunition and several hundred cannon charges. The movement of the reenactors raised clouds of dust from the tinder-dry earth -- just as it had been during the original battle. As the reenactment progressed the smoke and dust combined to create a thick haze -- just as it had at the original battle.

Despite a carefully crafted scenario based on the historical record, the reenactment battle plans went astray -- just like they often do in real battles. However, the result was loud, smoky, dusty, and confusing -- just like original fighting. Fortunately no one was seriously injured during the reenactment, unlike at the original fighting (Chickamauga was the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War).

"Hollywood with all its millions could not have done this.
I'm blown away." --John McDonald, Honorary Norwegian Consul

This page Copyright 1999 Scott Cantwell Meeker, Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Last updated October 26, 1999.

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