Hans C. Heg.

[jessgettysburg1863]

Hans C. Heg


Hans Christian Heg was born in Lier, Norway, on 21st December, 1829. His family emigrated to America when he was eleven years old. Heg settled in Waterford, Wisconsin and in 1851 married Gunild Einong.
Heg was a Major in the 4th Wisconsin Militia and became the first Norwegian to be elected to state office when he became State Prison Commissioner of Wisconsin.
On the outbreak of the Civil War Heg joined the Union Army and was given the rank of Colonel and was heavily involved in recruiting the 15th Wisconsin, the Scandinavian Regiment.
Heg led the regiment during the successful raid on Union City, Tennessee. After an extensive campaign in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, Heg took part in the battle at Perryville (8th October, 1862). He was injured when his horse fell and was sent back to Wisconsin to recover.
Back on duty he led the capture of a Confederate artillery battery at Knob Gap, Tennessee (15th December, 1862). He then commanded the Scandinavian Regiment during the battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River). Despite suffering serious losses his brigade commander reported: "Colonels Alexander and Heg, in my opinion, proved themselves the bravest of the brave. Had such men as these been in command of some of our brigades, we should have been spared the shame of witnessing the rout of our troops and the disgraceful panic, encouraged, at least, by the example and advice of officers high in command."
In May, 1863, Heg was placed in command of the newly formed 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division, 20th Army Corps. On 29th August he led an early morning assault across the Tennessee River. The 3rd Brigade crossed over without a single casualty, therefore becoming the first Union troops south of the river.
Heg, about to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, led his men at Chickamauga in Georgia (19th September, 1863). Around 5 o'clock, just before the fighting finished, Heg was shot in the abdomen. Heg was taken to the Field Hospital at Crawfish Springs, but died the following day. Hans Christian Heg, the highest ranking officer in the Union Army in Wisconsin to be killed, is buried in the Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery in Racine County.



http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcivilwarC.htm

 

[ole]

Thanks, jess. Had an uncle whose father was in that regiment.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

Thanks, jess. Had an uncle whose father was in that regiment.

Thanks for the post Ole, l just wanted to put someone into the forum that was
a bit unknown, well at least to me anyway. Just found him on the net and l
thought why not. Here is the link where l found him.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcivilwarC.htm

Thanks............................Jess .

 

[ole]

Most know of Hans Christian Hegg and the Norwegian Regiment. (You can call it Scandinavian if you want -- there were some Swedes and Danes in there.)

 

[tmh10]

Most know of Hans Christian Hegg and the Norwegian Regiment. (You can call it Scandinavian if you want -- there were some Swedes and Danes in there.)

Can't go wrong enlisting Vikings. Proven warriors.