Hans Christian Heg
Encyclopedia
Hans Christian Heg was a Norwegian
- American
politician and soldier in the American Civil War
from Wisconsin
.
in Lier
, Buskerud
, Norway
on December 21, 1829. He was the eldest of the four children of an innkeeper. His father, Even Hansen Heg (1790–1850), moved his family to America in 1840, settling in the Muskego Settlement in Wisconsin. Hans Heg was eleven years old when his family arrived in Muskego. He soon earned a reputation for himself as being a gifted boy.
At twenty years old, lured by the discovery of gold in the Sacramento Valley
, he and three friends joined the army of "Forty-Niner
s". He spent the next two years prospecting for gold in California
. Upon the death of his father, he returned to the Muskego area in 1851. He married Gunhild Einong, daughter of a Norwegian immigrant.
Heg became a rising young politician who found slavery abhorrent. He naturally became an ardent member of the Free Soil Party
. Heg was a major in the 4th Wisconsin Militia and served as Wisconsin State Prison Commissioner. He was the first Norwegian born candidate elected state-wide in Wisconsin.
He soon joined the recently formed Republican Party
. He was an outspoken anti-slavery activist and a leader of Wisconsin's 'Wide Awakes,' an anti-slavecatcher militia.
as colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment
. Appealing to all young "Norsemen", he said, "the government of our adopted country is in danger. It is our duty as brave and intelligent citizens to extend our hands in defense of the cause of our Country and of our homes." The 15th Wisconsin was called the Scandinavian Regiment since its soldiers were almost all immigrants from Norway, with some from Denmark
and Sweden
. It was the only all Scandinavian regiment in the Union Army. On 8 October 1862, Colonel Heg led his regiment into its first action at the Battle of Perryville
. Despite being under fire while being driven back several miles by the enemy, the 15th Wisconsin suffered few casualties and no fatalities. However, one of those hurt was Colonel Heg, who was injured when his horse fell.
Heg commanded the regiment during the Battle of Stones River
. In response to his conduct at Stones River, Maj. Gen.
William Rosecrans
placed Colonel Heg in command of the newly formed 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division, XX Corps
, Army of the Cumberland
, on 1 May 1863.
On 19 September 1863, Colonel Heg led his brigade at the Battle of Chickamauga
, where he was mortally wounded. Heg "was shot through the bowels and died the next day." Upon hearing of Heg's death, Rosecrans expressed regret, saying he had intended to promote Heg to brigadier general
. As it was, Colonel Heg was the highest-ranked Wisconsin soldier killed in combat during the Civil War.
Heg was buried at the Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery near Wind Lake, Wisconsin
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
- American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and soldier in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
Background
Heg was born at Haugestad in the community of LierbyenLierbyen
Lierbyen is the administrative center of Lier municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. Lierbyen is a part of a greater urban area which also encompasses the villages Lier, Reistad and Kjellstad. The urban area has a population of 4,233....
in Lier
Lier, Norway
Lier is an affluent municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lier. The municipality of Lier was established on 1 January 1838...
, Buskerud
Buskerud
is a county in Norway, bordering Akershus, Oslo, Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, Hordaland, Telemark, and Vestfold. The county administration is located in Drammen.-Geography:...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
on December 21, 1829. He was the eldest of the four children of an innkeeper. His father, Even Hansen Heg (1790–1850), moved his family to America in 1840, settling in the Muskego Settlement in Wisconsin. Hans Heg was eleven years old when his family arrived in Muskego. He soon earned a reputation for himself as being a gifted boy.
At twenty years old, lured by the discovery of gold in the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
, he and three friends joined the army of "Forty-Niner
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
s". He spent the next two years prospecting for gold in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Upon the death of his father, he returned to the Muskego area in 1851. He married Gunhild Einong, daughter of a Norwegian immigrant.
Heg became a rising young politician who found slavery abhorrent. He naturally became an ardent member of the Free Soil Party
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership...
. Heg was a major in the 4th Wisconsin Militia and served as Wisconsin State Prison Commissioner. He was the first Norwegian born candidate elected state-wide in Wisconsin.
He soon joined the recently formed Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He was an outspoken anti-slavery activist and a leader of Wisconsin's 'Wide Awakes,' an anti-slavecatcher militia.
Military service
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Heg was appointed by Governor Alexander RandallAlexander Randall
Alexander Williams Randall was a lawyer, judge and politician from Wisconsin. He served as the sixth Governor of Wisconsin from 1858 until 1861. He was instrumental in raising and organizing the first Wisconsin volunteer troops for the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Biography:Randall...
as colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment
15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment
The 15th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, more popularly known as the "Scandinavian Regiment", was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
. Appealing to all young "Norsemen", he said, "the government of our adopted country is in danger. It is our duty as brave and intelligent citizens to extend our hands in defense of the cause of our Country and of our homes." The 15th Wisconsin was called the Scandinavian Regiment since its soldiers were almost all immigrants from Norway, with some from Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It was the only all Scandinavian regiment in the Union Army. On 8 October 1862, Colonel Heg led his regiment into its first action at the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
. Despite being under fire while being driven back several miles by the enemy, the 15th Wisconsin suffered few casualties and no fatalities. However, one of those hurt was Colonel Heg, who was injured when his horse fell.
Heg commanded the regiment during the Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
. In response to his conduct at Stones River, Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
William Rosecrans
William Rosecrans
William Starke Rosecrans was an inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and United States Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the American Civil War...
placed Colonel Heg in command of the newly formed 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division, XX Corps
XX Corps (ACW)
Two corps of the Union Army were called XX Corps during the American Civil War. Though both served in the Union Army of the Cumberland, they were distinct units and should be recognized as such.- McCook's Corps :...
, Army of the Cumberland
Army of the Cumberland
The Army of the Cumberland was one of the principal Union armies in the Western Theater during the American Civil War. It was originally known as the Army of the Ohio.-History:...
, on 1 May 1863.
On 19 September 1863, Colonel Heg led his brigade at the Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
, where he was mortally wounded. Heg "was shot through the bowels and died the next day." Upon hearing of Heg's death, Rosecrans expressed regret, saying he had intended to promote Heg to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
. As it was, Colonel Heg was the highest-ranked Wisconsin soldier killed in combat during the Civil War.
Heg was buried at the Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery near Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Wind Lake is a census-designated place in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,342 at the 2010 census. Wind Lake is in the town of Norway.-Geography:Wind Lake is located at ....
.
Legacy
- There is a statue of Hans Christian Heg at the King Street approach to the State Capitol in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
- There is a statue of Hans Christian Heg in the town of Wind Lake, WisconsinWind Lake, WisconsinWind Lake is a census-designated place in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,342 at the 2010 census. Wind Lake is in the town of Norway.-Geography:Wind Lake is located at ....
as well as in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. - A replica of these statues stands in Heg's birthplace at Haugestad in the community of LierbyenLierbyenLierbyen is the administrative center of Lier municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. Lierbyen is a part of a greater urban area which also encompasses the villages Lier, Reistad and Kjellstad. The urban area has a population of 4,233....
in Lier, NorwayLier, NorwayLier is an affluent municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lier. The municipality of Lier was established on 1 January 1838...
. It was a gift by Norwegian-Americans to the people of Norway. The unveiling of this statue took place on St. Hans Day, 25 June 1925. - Heg Memorial Park in Racine County is named in his honor.
- Heg Memorial Park Museum, containing Heg memorabilia, is located on Heg Park Road in Wind Lake, Wisconsin
- His original homestead house is located a short distance from the Heg Memorial Park.
- Another house formerly owned by Hans Christian Heg was located at the current site of the Waterford, WisconsinWaterford, WisconsinWaterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
, Public Library. - There is a memorial to Hans Christian Heg at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military ParkChickamauga and Chattanooga National Military ParkChickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, preserves the sites of two major battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign.-History:...
.
Further reading
- Heg, Hans Christian, The Civil War Letters Of Colonel Hans Christian Heg (Theodore C. BlegenTheodore C. BlegenTheodore Christian Blegen was an American historian and author. Theodore Blegen was the author of numerous historic reference books, papers and articles written over a five decade period...
, editor. Norwegian-American Historical Association. 1936) - Ager, WaldemarWaldemar AgerWaldemar Ager , was a Norwegian-American newspaperman and author.-Early life:...
, Colonel Heg and His Boys: A Norwegian Regiment in the American Civil War (translated by Della Kittleson Catuna and Clarence A. Clausen Oberst Heg og Hans Gutter. Norwegian-American Historical Association. December 2000) - Naeseth, Gerhard BGerhard Brandt NaesethGerhard Brandt Naeseth was an American librarian and genealogist who specialized in the field of Norwegian-American immigration.-Background and career:...
, Norwegian Immigrants to the United States: A Biographical Directory. Vol. 1: 1825-1843. (Amundsen Publishing Company, Decorah, Iowa: 1993) - Historic Heg Memorial Park (Ella Stratton Colbo, editor. Heg County Memorial Committee. 1949)
- Buslett, Ole AmundsenOle Amundsen BuslettOle Amundsen Buslett was a Norwegian born, American author, newspaperman, and politician.-Background:Ole Amundsen Buslett was born in Gausdal, Oppland, Norway. Buslett was the oldest of eight children born to Amund Halvorsen Buslett and Netta Ringsrud...
Det Femtende Regiment Wisconsin Frivillige (Decorah, Iowa, 1894) Norwegian
External links
- Wisconsin Historical Society
- Norwegian American Hall of Fame
- Historic Madison
- Wisconsin Trails
- Abolition Activism in Wisconsin
- 15th Wisconsin Regiment
- Col. Hans C. Heg and the 15th Wisconsin at Chickamauga, 1863
- Waterford Historical Project. "Col. Hans C. Heg and the 15th Wisconsin at Chickamauga, 1863", by Carl L. Boeckmann