Unit Histories 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry The Scandinavian Regiment

Wagoner Ole L. Fosse of Company H
Wounded in action on May 27, 1864, at Pickett's Mill, Georgia
Image courtesy of Marc J. and Beth Storch

The following are books and articles containing regimental histories of the 15th Wisconsin, which served in the Federal Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865).  Some of these documents contain information on individual 15th soldiers.  Links are shown to the documents which are posted on this web site.  Note: the original regimental histories were all published in Norwegian; two have recently been published in English.  If you are aware of regimental histories on the 15th, which are not listed below, then please contact the 15th Webmaster, Scott Cantwell Meeker at s.c.meeker@15thwisconsin.net. Thanks!

Ager, Waldemar, Oberst Heg og Hans Gutter [Colonel Heg and His Men]. Eau Claire: Fremad Publishing Company, 1916.  In Norwegian.  This 330 page book features many original photographs, letters, and diary entries.  It is considered one of the best sources for information on the 15th and its soldiers.  In early 2001 the Norwegian-American Historical Society, Northfield, Minnesota, published a hardcover English translation of this book, but without the photos that were in the original.  Recommended.

Ager, Waldemar, "The Fifteenth Wisconsin." The American-Scandinavian Review (Nov-Dec 1915), 324-333.  Very readable, but contains little on the regiment after Chickamauga.

Blegen, Theodore C., The Civil War Letters of Colonel Hans Christian Heg.  Northfield, Minnesota: 1936.  A 260 page book containing a synopsis of Colonel Heg's life and the history of the 15th up to his death at Chickamauga, Georgia.  Most of the book contains his letters written home during his war service.  Also includes a few photos.  Very readable, with an insider's view of the regiment. 

Buslett, Ole A., Det Femtende Regiment Wisconsin Frivillige [The Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteers]. Decorah, Iowa: 1895.  In Norwegian, printed in old style script.  Considered to be one of the best records of the regiment.  Has several hundred photographs of its soldiers.  In 1999 this book was translated into English and about 100 copies were printed, but without the photographs that are in the original.  These books were distributed to libraries and historical organizations.

Dietrichson, Peter Gabriel, Femtende Wisconsin Regiments [Fifteenth Wisconsin Regiment]. Chicago, Illinois: 1884.  A 27 page monograph in Norwegian printed in old style script.  Not considered to very creditable or informative.  No known English translation.

Enander, Johan Alfred, Borgerkrigen i De forenede stater i Nord Amerika: med en kortfattet beretning on det 15de Wis. regiments deltagelse i krigen og et protræt af oberst H.C. Hegg. La Crosse, Wisconsin: 1881.  Pages 105-128 contain a history of the 15th Wisconsin, including biographies on Colonel Hans C. Heg and Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson and a portion of Johnson's presentation on the 15th at Chickamauga given to a Beloit, Wisconsin, Veterans group in 1880.  Written in Norwegian and printed in old style script.

Johnson, John A., Det Skandinaviske Regiments Historie [The Scandinavian Regiment's History]. La Crosse, Wisconsin: 1869.  Written in Norwegian.  This 159 page book was published by the brother of Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson of the 15th Wisconsin.  Despite the fact that it was published soon after the events it covers, it is not considered a valuable source.  No known English translation.

Love, William DeLoss, Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion. Chicago: Church and Goodman Publishers, 1866.  Well respected source for information on Civil War units from Wisconsin, including the 15th.  Part 2, Chapter II, covers the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, and the 15th's role there.

Olson, Morgan A., Rollin Olson Civil War Letters.  Morris, Minnesota: self-published, 1994.  This 167 page book contains letters written home from the 15th, plus photos, drawings, and extensive explanations of what Rollin Olson wrote about.  An extremely readable, insightful, and valuable source of information on the 15th from a soldier in the ranks.

Quiner, E.B., The Military History of Wisconsin: Civil and Military Patriotism of the State, in the War for the Union. Chicago, Illinois: Clarke & Company, Publishers, 1866.  Chapter XXIII, pages 613-631, covers the history of the 15th Wisconsin.

Ulbestad, Martin, Nordmændene i Amerika. Minneapolis, Minnesota: History Book Company's Forlag, 1907.  In Norwegian.  Pages 342-343 cover the 15th Wisconsin.  No known English translation.

Unknown, "Reunion of the Fifteenth Wisconsin and the Scandinavian Veteran's Association." Familiens Magasin (date unknown): 8-10.  Article with stories and group photographs listing names and residences of the veterans.  Reunion was held September 12-13, 1917, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Ylvisaker, Erling, Eminent Pioneers: Norwegian-American Pioneer Sketches. Freeport, New York: Books for Libraries Press.  A readable account with some errors.  Covers the regiment up through Chickamauga, then recounts the story of Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson's capture, imprisonment, and daring escape.

This page Copyright by Scott Cantwell Meeker of Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Created January 24, 1999. Last updated December 26, 2001.

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