15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment | |
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Flag of Wisconsin
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Active | February 14, 1862–February 13, 1865 |
Allegiance | Federal |
Branch | Union Army |
Type | Regiment |
Role | Infantry |
Garrison/HQ | Camp Randall (Madison, Wisconsin) |
Nickname(s) | Scandinavian Regiment |
Motto(s) | "For Gud og Vort Land!" ("For God and Our Country!") |
Engagements | American Civil War |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Hans Christian Heg Jurgen Wilson Ole Johnson |
The 15th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, more popularly known as the "Norwegian Regiment", or the "Scandinavian Regiment", was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment was originally formed by Col. Hans Christian Heg at Camp Randall, near Madison, Wisconsin. The majority of its members were Norwegian immigrants (some records state as many as 90%), with the rest mainly Danish, Swedish and Dutch immigrants. The regiment was organized at Madison, Wisconsin, and mustered into federal service January 31, 1862. The regiment was mustered out of service by company between December 1, 1864, and February 13, 1865.
The 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment was a participant in a number of major battles conducted by the Union Army during the Civil War.
The 15th Wisconsin suffered eight officers and 86 enlisted men who were killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another one officer and 241 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 336 fatalities. Colonel Hans Christian Heg was killed in action in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863.