Ceremonies Report 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry The Scandinavian Regiment Chickamauga 1999

Presentation of 15th Wisconsin Flag
BGen. Warnick (left), Lt. Col. Draper, and Serg't. Meeker.
Photo courtesy of Gene Estensen, a relative of Charles and Peter Thompson of Co. K

"The events at Chickamauga were much more than advertised. I am so glad that my children and grandchildren could be there... Thank you again for all your good works and consideration. I am honored to have been a part of the events." --Captain James E. Heg, US Navy, (ret.), Great Grandson of Colonel Hans C. Heg

Review of 15th Wisconsin reenactors Mr. Bye (left), CAPT. Heg, and Col. Dal Bello. Photo courtesy of Greg Olson, 15th descendant

After the "The Assault of Heg's Brigade" at the reenactment of the Battle of Chickamauga, held near Ringgold, Georgia, on Saturday morning, September 18, 1999, descendants of 15th soldiers and distinguished Norwegian representatives assembled at the Federal Medical Camp for a series of 15th Wisconsin-related ceremonies.

Unfortunately the camp was difficult to reach from the public spectator area. The reenactor escort that was to bring the descendants to the special viewing area at the Federal Medical Camp was unexpectedly delayed by a life-threatening medical emergency. The unfortunate result was that some of the descendants were left behind in the public viewing area, and thus were not able to participate in the 15th review, presentation, and reception. To all who were left behind, our most sincere apologies.

The Norwegian dignitaries got left behind too, but fortunately they were given a ride to camp in a mule-drawn army wagon belonging to the 19th Alabama (thanks boys, we owe you one).

It is believed that some 40 descendants of 15th soldiers were present at the reenactment. To see a list of the 15th descendants who are known to have been been present for some or all of the 15th activities, click HERE.

Erik Bye reciting "Gudmund Gudmunson" Mr. McDonald (dark suit), Mr. Bye, Col. Olsson. Photo courtesy of Svend Olsen and family

15th Military Review

Immediately after The Assault of Heg's Brigade, the 200-some reenactors who had portrayed the 15th Wisconsin were marched to the Federal Medical camp for a military review.

The reviewing party was led by BGen. Warnick, the Federal Commander at the reenactment. It included the following guests: CAPT. James E. Heg, US Navy (retired), the Great Grandson of Col. Heg of Heg's Brigade; Col. Aksel Olsson, Assistant Defense Attaché at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC, representing the Norwegian Defense Ministry; Mr. John McDonald, Honorary Norwegian Consul for Georgia, representing the Norwegian Foreign Office; Mr. Erik Bye, distinguished Norwegian Journalist, representing the Royal Norse Federation and the Norwegian National Emigrant Museum at Hamar; and several General officers of the Tennessee National Guard, which was hosting the reenactment.

Also participating were: Col. Bill Christen, who was portraying Col. Heg; Col. Dom Dal Bello, commander of the Army of the Pacific (AoP), which included the reenactors portraying the 15th Wisconsin; Lt. Col. Steven Draper, Chief of the Federal staff, who had organized the 15th ceremonies; and Serg't. Scott Meeker of the 33rd Wisconsin, who had helped to organize the overall portrayal of the 15th.

Presentation of Heg's Brigade flag. Lt. Col. Draper (left), Captain Heg, and Col. Christen. Photo courtesy of Judy Sandberg, 15th descendant

The reenactors portraying the 15th Wisconsin were begrimed with black powder and the red Georgia dust, but they stood tall and proud in ranks during the review. Many very favorable comments about them were made by the reviewing party and the 15th descendants. More than one said it looked as if the 15th had just stepped forward through time.

Following the military review the reenactors portraying the 15th Wisconsin were marched back to their camp. The 15th descendants, the Norwegian dignitaries, the reenactors from Norway and Denmark, and the reenactors who had organized the 15th activities remained behind.

Flag Presentations

Like the review, the flag presentations were organized by Lt. Col. Draper of the FFD, who also served as the master of ceremonies.

Lt. Col. Draper asked Mr. Erik Bye to receipt his poem, "Gudmond Gudmondson," to the assembled descendants, dignitaries, and reenactors. Mr. Bye, who had come all the way from Norway to attend the 15th activities, graciously complied. After his reading there were tears in the eyes of many of those present. Thanks to Mr. Bye, his poem can be read by clicking HERE.

Presentation of 15th's National flag. Hermansen (left) Kiilerich, Karlsen, and Warnick. Photo courtesy of Gene Estensen, a 15th relative.

"It was something that I will always remember."
--Erik Bye, Norwegian Journalist and Guest Speaker

Col. Bill Christen, who had portrayed Col. Heg in the "Assault of Heg's Brigade" reenactment that morning, made the first flag presentation. He had personally arranged to have a reproduction made of the black on red flag of Col. Heg's Brigade flag, which was carried in the reenactment. This flag was then presented by Col. Christen as a surprise gift to Captain Heg, the Colonel's Great Grandson, while some 20 members of the Heg family looked on. It was a generous gift, and Captain Heg was clearly touched by it.

"...it was a honor to have a part in the commemoration of Col. Heg and the 15th. Heg will always be a part of my life, and the moments on Saturday were some of the the best I have experienced. The ceremony, battle recreation and time spent with Heg descendants and 15th Wisconsin descendants was terrific." --Bill Christen, who portrayed Col. Hans C. Heg

The next presentation was also a surprise, at least to the recipients, though many present knew what was coming. Six months before a group of reenactors and 15th descendants had generously donated money to have a museum-quality reproduction of the 15th's flag made. To see a list of those who donated, click HERE.

Regimental Volunteer Band of Wisconsin Playing at the 15th Wisconsin ceremonies. Photo courtesy of Judy Sandberg, 15th descendant

The flag had been created to be carried in the reenactment and then given as a surprise to the Scandinavian reenactors who portray the 15th in Norway. The flag, carefully aged to appear as the original had in the battle, was carried in "The Assault of Heg's Brigade" by Serg't. Meeker, who portrayed Color Sergeant Anders J. Urness.

At the ceremony Serg't. Meeker presented the flag to BGen. Warnick, who in turn presented it to the Scandinavians reenactors: Lars Gjertveit, Stein Are Karlsen, and Ingolf Hermansen of Norway; and Jens Kiilerich from Denmark. Though taken by surprise, Stein Are Karlsen thanked all concerned and said the flag would be used to commemorate the memory of Col. Heg in his home town of Lier, Norway.

In honor of the 15th's American heritage, the Regimental Volunteer Band of Wisconsin, commanded by Band Master Rusty Ayres, then played "The Star Spangled Banner."

Last, but not least, the flag ceremonies concluded with the presentation of one more banner, a handsome Norwegian national flag. It was as a gift from the Royal Federation of Norsemen and had been brought over from Norway by Mr. Bye. He presented it to Col. Olsson who in turn presented it to Serg't. Meeker in appreciation for his work in keeping the memory of the 15th and its soldiers alive. Col. Olsson also presented him with a handsome Norwegian Army knife.

Serving tea, punch, cookies and cakes Ladies of the 1st Federal Medical Camp Photo courtesy of Judy Sandberg, 15th descendant

Then, in honor of the 15th's Norwegian heritage and of the Norwegian representatives and citizens present, the Regimental Volunteer band then played "Sønner av Norge" (Sons of Norway) the Norwegian National Anthem in 1863, followed by "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Land) the current Norwegian national anthem.

Descendants Reception

BGen. Warnick then invitation the 15th descendants and the assembled dignitaries to attend a reception in the Medical camp. Also present were many of the reenactors who helped organize the Heg and 15th activities.

The reception was hosted by Linda Kennedy and the other kind and generous ladies of the 1st Federal Medical camp. They prepared cookies, cakes, punch and tea, and served them up on china. Considering the large number of attendees and the primitive field conditions under which they labored, theirs' was an amazing feat and was greatly appreciated.

"Thank you for allowing me and the Division to be a part of this special event." --BGen. Warnick, 1st Federal Division Commander, North/South Alliance

The reception was the last of the 15th-related activities that weekend, but echoes of what went on reverberated for some time due to TV and print media coverage. If nothing else, this event certainly should have received more notice in Norway than any other American Civil War event ever has.

Tea and cookies at the reception Erik Bye (left) Captain Heg, Col. Christen Photo courtesy of Svend Olsen and family

Norwegian television (NRK TV 2) did extensive filming and interviews at the reenactment. This resulted in an immediate news item as well as a half-hour program aired in October on Norwegian television. A major Norwegian newspaper had a journalist and a still photographer present. They produced an extensive article that was also published in October. A freelance writer was there preparing an article for a Norwegian travel magazine. And Mr. Bye had a cameraman there shooting video for a documentary on Col. Heg and the 15th, which is to be aired on Norwegian TV in December, 1999.

In America The Civil War News, a monthly newspaper "for people with an active interest in the Civil War today," gave extensive coverage to the Assault of Heg's Brigade and the 15th ceremonies in a front page, lead article in its November, 1999, issue.

Honors Due

The 15th Wisconsin ceremonies would not have been possible if it were not for: Craig Hadley, Chair of the Board of Directors of the non-profit group that organized the reenactment; BGen. Warnick, Lt. Col. Draper, Capt. Doug Wilson, and others of the N/SA; Col. Dal Bello, Lt. Col. Dunfee, and others of the AoP; Col. Christen of The Watchdog and Serg't. Meeker of the 33rd Wisconsin; Ms. Kennedy and the other ladies of the 1st Federal Medical camp; and the Regimental Volunteer Band of Wisconsin.

Thanks is also due to the Norwegian government, which was so ably represented by Col. Olsson and Mr. McDonald, and to the Royal Norse Federation and the Norwegian National Emigrant Museum at Hamar, whose sponsorship allowed us all to meet and learn from Mr. Bye.

Last, but not least, honor is due to both the reenactors who portrayed the 15th's soldiers and to the 15th descendants who attended. Each group provided the other with a living link to the past. It is hoped that similar links will be created for other units at future reenactments.

"I can't adequately thank you and the many others involved for the many hours of planning, coordination and physical effort required to bring the whole affair off so professionally. It was certainly a magnificent spectacle, but it also carried a great deal of significance and meaning for those of us descended from members of the 15th Wisconsin." --Doug Purdy, Great Grandson of Ole Lenvig and Great Grandnephew of Hans Lenvig, both of Co. E

This page Copyright 1999 Scott Cantwell Meeker, Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Last updated November 22, 1999.

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