Id’d M1858 US Cartridge Box – Sergeant Martin J. Norde Co. I 15^th Wisconsin Infantry – This cartridge box is a typical, early war issue cartridge box; it retains its US box plate and one of its interior tins (we have a second tin that will accompany the cartridge box – we suggest that the buyer not try to insert the additional tin into the box – the leather’s aging has caused the box to shrink, making insertion of a second tin almost impossible); of significance is the name stenciled on the interior of the main box flap:

“M. J. Norde”

Martin J. Norde of Scandinavia, Minnesota, enlisted, as a Sergeant, into Co. I of the 15^th Wisconsin Infantry in November 1861; he would remain in that company and regiment throughout most of the war, mustering out in February 1865; during his time in the regiment, he would be promoted to the rank of 1^st Sergeant. The 15^th Wisconsin would remain engaged in the western theatre of the war for its period of service, seeing action at:

Island Number Ten, Perryville, Stones River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Resaca, Peachtree Creek, the Atlanta Campaign and Jonesborough. The cartridge box remains in overall very good condition, with little to no crazing or flaking; both sling attachment roller buckles are present, as is the latch tab, implement pouch and both riveted belt loops; the box’s leather is pliable and not dry. There is a small tear in the leather on the left side of the box; the point of attachment of closure tab for the implement pouch is intact, although torn. This is a significantly id’d cartridge box to a Sergeant in a hard-fighting regiment that participated in many significant engagements.

Martin J. Norde

Residence Scandanavia, WI.
Enlisted on 11/20/1861 as a Sergt.

On 11/20/1861, he mustered into “I” Co. Wisconsin 15th Infantry.
He was Mustered Out on 2/10/1865

Promotions:

• 1st Sergt

Martin Johannessen Norde was born on November 23, 1840, in Ringebu, Oppland, Norway; his father, Johanes, was 27 and his mother, Anne, was 27. He married Ingeborg (Isabel) Salvesdatter Anderson on May 12, 1867, in Scandinavia, Wisconsin. He died on November 22, 1890, in Alexandria, Minnesota, at the age of 49, and was buried there.

Martin J. Norde  – Veteran

Birth

23 Nov 1840

Ringebu kommune, Oppland fylke, Norway

Death

22 Nov 1890 (aged 49)

Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA

Burial

Kinkead Cemetery

Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota

15th WI Infantry

Organized: Camp Randall, Madison, WI on 2/14/1862

Mustered out: 2/1/1865

Fifteenth Infantry WISCONSIN (3-YEARS) Fifteenth Infantry. — Cols., Hans C. Heg, Ole C. Johnson Lieut.Cols., Kiler K. Tones, David McKee, Ole C. Johnson; Majs. Charles M. Reese, Ole C. Johnson, George Wilson. Lieut.-Col. Jones’ commission was revoked, March 1, 1862, and David McKee was given the commission as his successor. This was a Scandinavian regiment and was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, in Dec. 1861, and Jan., 1862. It was mustered in Feb. 14, 1862, and left the state March 2, being ordered to Bird’s point, Mo. Six companies were sent to take part in the siege of Island No. 10, and at the surrender the entire regiment was used in garrisoning and strengthening the fortifications. Cos. G and I were left as a permanent garrison and the remaining eight companies were sent to Kentucky and thence to Mississippi. They joined the Army of the Cumberland and were sent to Nashville then returned to Kentucky and participated in the battle of Perryville being exposed to a heavy fire, but not losing a man. The regiment was sent in pursuit of Morgan’s guerrillas and returned with 50 prisoners and many horses and wagons, having destroyed guerrilla premises, a distillery, whisky and grain for which it received Gen. Rosecrans’ compliments. The regiment was in a sharp fight at Nolensville pike in December losing 75 killed and wounded, and on the 30th and 31st was in the advance towards Murfreesboro. This brought it into action at Stone’s River, where it made a name for itself for endurance and courage, losing in two days 119 in killed, wounded and missing. In the battle of Chickamauga it was engaged in a terrific contest with the enemy’s main line, being hurried into line on the double-quick to fill a gap, its accompanying regiment leaving it unsupported. An Illinois regiment was sent forward, but soon fell back, and believing the 15th to have done likewise opened fire, bringing the 15th under fire from friends and foes and compelling it to break lines and escape as best it could. The next day it was ordered into a gap and twice repulsed the enemy, but being left without support and nearly surrounded, it was again compelled to break ranks and retire. It lost in the two days 101, leaving but 75 men on duty. At Missionary Ridge the regiment was the first to occupy Orchard Knob. It was in the advance at Buzzard Roost and Rocky Face Ridge; in the engagement at Resaca, charging the first line of the enemy’s intrenchments; was in the engagements about Dallas, losing 83 in killed, wounded and prisoners, in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, was in reserve at Peachtree creek, and was engaged in the battle of Jonesboro. The regiment then performed provost and guard duty until mustered out. Cos. A, B. C and E were mustered out in Dec. 1864, and the others in Jan. and Feb. 1865, at Chattanooga. The recruits and reenlisted veterans were transferred to the 24th Wis. infantry and later to the 13th. The original strength of the regiment was 801. Gain by recruits, 97; substitutes, 1; veteran reenlistments, 7; total, 906. Losses by death, 267; missing, 23; desertion, 46; transfer, 47; discharge, 204; mustered out, 320

The 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was popularly known as the Norwegian Regiment or the Scandinavian Regiment, due to its composition of mostly Norwegian American, Swedish American, and Danish American immigrants.

Service

The 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was originally formed by Col. Hans Christian Heg at Camp Randall, near Madison, Wisconsin. The majority of its members were Norwegian  immigrants with the rest being mainly Swedish and Danish 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.

Major campaigns

The 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment was a participant in a number of major battles conducted by the Union Army during the Civil War.^[7]

• The Battle of Island Number Ten
• The Battle of Perryville(October 8, 1862)
• The Battle of Stones River(December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863)
• The Tullahoma Campaign(June 24 – July 3, 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga(September 19 – 20, 1863)
• Battle of Resaca(May 13–15, 1864)
• The Battle of Peachtree Creek(July 20, 1864)
• Battle of Atlanta(July 22 – August 25. 1864)
• Battle of Jonesborough(August 31 – September 1, 1864)

Casualties

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. On September 20, 1863, Colonel Hans Christian Heg died of wounds he received in action in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19, 1863.

Commanders

• Colonel Hans Christian Heg(February 14, 1862 – September 20, 1863) died of wounds after Chickamauga. Before the war, he had served as the 6th prison commissioner of Wisconsin.
• Major Jurgen Wilson(September 20, 1863 – July 24, 1864) commanded the regiment after many senior officers were killed or captured at Chickamauga. Earlier in the war, he had been captain of Co. H. He was also wounded at Chickamauga. He received an honorary brevet to lieutenant colonel after the war.
• Colonel Ole C. Johnson(July 24, 1864 – February 10, 1865) was captured at Chickamauga and was prisoner of war until making his escape in May 1864. He commanded the regiment through the end of the war and was designated for promotion to colonel, but was never mustered at that rank. Earlier in the war, he had been captain of Co. B. After the war he became mayor of Beloit, Wisconsin, and immigration commissioner of Wisconsin.

Notable people

• Hans Borchseniuswas adjutant of the regiment for one year. He resigned due to illness. He later served as a Wisconsin state legislator, and served several appointed roles in the Internal Revenue Service.
• Claus Lauritz Clausenwas chaplain of the regiment for one year. Before the war he had served in the Iowa state legislature. After the war he was a prominent religious leader in the Scandinavian American Lutheran community.
• David McKeewas lieutenant colonel of the regiment and died at the Battle of Stones River. Earlier in the war, he had been captain of Co. C in the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
• John T. Ricewas first lieutenant and later captain of Co. C, serving nearly the entire war. After the war he served as a Wisconsin state legislator.
• Otto A. Risumwas enlisted in Co. G and rose to the rank of sergeant. He was later promoted to sergeant major and then adjutant, serving through the entire war. After the war he served as a Wisconsin state legislator.
• Svend Samuelsonwas 2nd lieutenant of Co. F and resigned due to illness in November 1863. He later served as a Wisconsin state legislator.

15th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry

Overview:

Organized at Madison, Wis., and mustered in February 14, 1862. Ordered to St. Louis, Mo., March 2, thence to Bird’s Point, Mo., March 5, and to Island No. 10 via Columbus and Hickman, Ky., March 14-17. Attached to Flotilla Brigade, Army of Mississippi, to April, 1862. Garrison at Island No. 10 to July, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, Army of the Ohio, September, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, to October, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to November, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Separate Division, District of the Etowah, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865.

Service:

Operations against Island No. 10 , Mississippi River, March 17-April 8, 1862. Expedition to Union City, Tenn., March 30-April 2. Union City March 31. (Four Companies detached for duty at Bird’s Point, Mo., March 5 to April 16; rejoined at Island No. 10.) Garrison duty at Island No. 10 till June (Cos. “G” and “I” till October, 1862). Moved to Union City, Tenn., June 12, thence to Humboldt and Corinth, Miss. Moved to Jacinto July 20, thence to Florence, Ala., August 21-24. March to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 26-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky., October 1-16. Battle of Perryville , Ky., October 8. Stanford October 14. Island No. 10 October 17 (Cos. “G” and “I”). March to Nashville, Tenn., October 19-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Expedition down the Cumberland River toward Clarksville after Morgan’s guerrillas November 15-20. Wilson’s Creek Pike December 25. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Nolinsville December 26-27. Battle of Stone¿s River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Reconnoissance from Murfreesboro March 6-7. Methodist Church, Shelbyville Pike, March 6. Reconnoissance to Versailles March 9-14. Operations on Edgefield Pike and Shelbyville Pike June 4. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Caperton’s Ferry, near Bridgeport, August 29. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. March to relief of Knoxville November 28-December 8. Charleston, Tenn., December 28. Operations in East Tennessee till April, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstrations on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Near Cassville May 19. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas , New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Pickett’s Mill May 27. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff’s Station, Smyrna Camp Ground, July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Duty at Atlanta till September 29. Ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 29, thence to Whiteside Station October 17 and guard bridge and railroad till February, 1865. Companies “A,” “B” and “E” mustered out December 1, 1864; Company “C” January 1, Companies “F” and “G” January 14, Companies “I” and “K” February 11 and Companies “D” and “H” February 13, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 8 Officers and 86 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 241 Enlisted men by disease. Total 336.

15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

Organization 

The Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) organized at Camp Randall, Madison, WI. They mustered into the service of the United States on February 14, 1862.  They left the state on March 2, 1862, traveling to Birds Point, MO., and reaching there on March 14th.

Active Duty 

In Missouri, they took their place in line with the forces investing Island Number 10. They, they remained until the end of the siege of Island 10 on April 8, 1862. Soon after the surrender of the Confederate forces the Fifteenth was transferred to Tennessee. Subsequently, their service was provided in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. In summer 1862, they participated in many Union force movements. In fall, they met the confederate forces at Perryville (also known as Chaplin Hills), Kentucky, and took part in the battle on October 8, 1862.

With the Union forces, they pursued the retreating Confederates and reached Nashville, TN around the middle of November.  Then, around December 26, as a part of the Army of the Cumberland, they took part in the movement toward Murfreesboro, TN. Following that, they participated in the battle of Stones River (also known as Murfreesboro), from December 30, 1862, to January 1, 1863.

Afterwards, the Fifteenth served in various expeditions in middle Tennessee. With the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Rosecrans, they took part in the Tullahoma Campaign from June 23 to July 7, 1863. Subsequently, they participated in the advance into Northern Georgia near Chattanooga. They participated in the battle of Chickamauga, GA, from September 19 to 20, and in the subsequent battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, TN. on November 25, 1863. These battles were followed by service in the campaign to relieve the forces under Gen. Burnside at Knoxville, TN.

Returning to Chattanooga, the regiment joined Sherman’s Army on May 5, 1864. Then, they participated in the Atlanta Campaign from May 1 to September 8, 1864.  They took part in the battles of Resaca on May 14, 1864.

They also participated in the operations at Dalton on May 26, 1864, and at Kennesaw Mountain on June 23, 1864. Later, they engaged in the siege of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, and the battle of Jonesborough on September 1, 1864.

After the conclusion of the Atlanta Campaign, the Fifteenth returned to Chattanooga. There, most of the companies were mustered out of service of the U.S. in December because their terms had enlisted.

Two companies, A and E, remained at that place until the February 13, 1865, when these companies were mustered out.  A portion of the men whose term of service had not at that time expired were transferred to the Twenty-Fourth Infantry, and subsequently upon muster out of that regiment to the Thirteenth Infantry, with which regiment these men served until muster out of service of the Thirteenth.

Therefore, Companies A, B, and E mustered out on December 1, 1864. Then, Company C mustered out on January 1, 1865. Next, the Companies F and G mustered out on January 14, 1865. The Companies I and K mustered out February 11. Lastly, Companies D and H mustered out on February 13, 1865.

Casualties 

The Fifteenth Regiment lost 8 officers and 86 men to mortal wounds. They lost an additional officer and 241 men to disease.