The Union Army

Civil War History

Hans Heg had come to America at age 11 and, by age 20, had trekked to distant California to make his fortune in the gold rush. His father's death ended Heg's quest for riches and brought him back to Wisconsin where he farmed for a while, then became active in state politics. When the war between the states erupted, Heg was instrumental in organizing the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
A Norwegian immigrant, Heg had helped raise the volunteer regiment from the Scandinavian communities of Wisconsin and surrounding states. Described as "tall and straight, heavily bearded, strong and vigorous," Heg was also considered an effective leader. By the time he faced Confederate soldiers at Chickamauga, he had been promoted from command of the 15th Wisconsin to brigade commander of the Third Brigade, 1st Division of the XX Army Corps.

Colonel Heg had been in tight spots before. He had led his fellow Scandinavians into battle at Perryville and Stone's River. Never before, however, had he and his troops found themselves in such a desperate situation as on September 19,1863, at Chickamauga.
Rushed into battle at about noon, the 15th Wisconsin and three other regiments under Heg's command were immediately hit by ferocious fire. "We had not advanced more than a hundred yards when the enemy, concealed in the timber and behind fallen logs, opened a destructive fire on us," recalled a survivor. "The roar of musketry at this time was deafening.... Still the brigade held its ground, cheered on by the gallant, but unfortunate, Colonel Heg, who was everywhere present, careless of danger."
The brigade — including the 15th Wisconsin — was pushed back, but reformed and attacked again and again until "almost half the brigade was killed." Among the fallen was Colonel Heg, who was mortally wounded in the thick of the fighting. Finally, low on ammunition, Heg's brigade was withdrawn and the Scandinavian soldiers were left to mourn their "brave and gallant" colonel.

Known as "the Scandinavian Regiment," the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was recruited primarily from the Norwegian communities of Wisconsin and surrounding states. Colonel Hans Heg, a prominent Wisconsin Republican, was instrumental in recruiting the regiment. The 15th Wisconsin was organized in the state capital, Madison, and was mustered into Federal service on February 14,1862 under Heg's command. A month later, the regiment was attached to General John Pope's Federal Army of the Mississippi in operations against Island No. 10, a Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. When Island No. 10 fell to Northern forces, the regiment spent several months in garrison duty, then in August of 1862, joined the Federal Army of the Ohio in its pursuit of General Braxton Bragg's Confederate army during Bragg's invasion of Kentucky.
On October 8,1862, the 15th Wisconsin was engaged at the Battle of Perryville, in which General Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio fought Bragg's army to a standstill. After Bragg's Confederates withdrew into Tennessee, the 15th Wisconsin joined the U.S. Army of the Cumberland under General William S. Rosecrans. The regiment was involved in several expeditions, then was engaged as part of Rosecrans' army in the Battle of Stone's River. Although the battle was a tactical victory for the Confederates, Rosecrans' army held its ground and the 15th Wisconsin distinguished itself by covering the withdrawal of the brigade to which it was attached.

After Stone's River, the regiment performed reconnaissance duty, participated in the Tullahoma Campaign, then was engaged at the Battle of Chickamauga, where Colonel Heg was killed. After Chickamauga, the regiment was engaged in the Siege of Chattanooga, and fought at Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge. The regiment also participated in the Knoxville Campaign, then was engaged at Resaca, New Hope Church, Allatoona, and Pickett's Mills.
On May 27,1864, at Pickett's Mills, the regiment was ordered forward to plug a gap in the Federal line caused by the repulse of a brigade. "Our regiment in crossing a ravine was enfiladed by one of the enemy's batteries," reported Lieutenant Colonel Ole C. Johnson. "Charging with a yell over the Second Brigade, the regiment went so near to the enemy's breast-works that some of our men were killed within ten feet of them. Finding it impossible to dislodge the enemy, the regiment lay down about fifteen yards from their works, keeping up an effective musketry fire.... We held our position until about 9 p.m., when we were ordered to fall back. In attempting to carry off our wounded the enemy charged on us and captured many of our men, including most of the wounded."
In the struggle for Atlanta, the regiment fought at Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesborough and Lovejoy Station. After the Federal capture of Atlanta, the 15th Wisconsin was detailed for garrison and guard duty in the Chattanooga area until troop enlistments expired. On February 13,1865, the final companies of the 15th Wisconsin were mustered out of Federal service near Chattanooga. With the war nearing an end, the men of "the Scandinavian Regiment" returned home.