Lier, Norway is home to one of the only American Civil War monuments found outside of the USA. Dedicated to Lierbyen born Colonel Hans Christian Heg it is a replica of statues found in Wind Lake and Madison, Wisconsin. It was donated by a group of Norwegian Americans in 1925.
Colonel Heg was commanding officer of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment which was known as the Scandinavian Regiment. The majority of its members were immigrants from Norway with the rest being from Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Heg arrived in America at age 11 when his family settled in Muskego. In 1849, at age 20 he set off for California and spent two years as a gold prospector. After two years, Heg returned to Wisconsin and became an outspoken anti-slavery advocate and involved in politics. After the outbreak of the war and charged by the governor to raise a Norwegian Regiment, Heg said to new recruits:
“Norsemen, 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.”
Heg and the 15th saw action in 1862, taking part in the Union victories at the Battle of Island Number Ten and the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky. Heg’s battlefield presence and bravery at the Battle of Stones River in December of 1862 led Major General William Rosencrans to make him commander of the 3rd Brigade 1st Division within the Army of the Cumberland on May 1, 1863.
On September 19, 1863 during the Battle of Chickamauga while leading a charge on horseback, Colonel Heg was struck with a bullet in his abdomen lacerating his bowels. He stayed in the saddle and issued commands until weak from blood loss. He was taken to a field hospital where he died on September 20.
Heg paid the ultimate sacrifice in keeping with the motto of the 15th: “For Gud og Vort Land!” (For God and Our Country!)
Recently the Norwegian statue was used to cast a duplicate head for the statue in Madison, Wisconsin which was damaged by rioting in 2020
Very cool! My great-great-great-grandfather fought under him. I’ll certainly plan on visiting this the next time I’m in Norway.
Used to pass by this statue daily! Never knew the history behind until today, thank you for sharing it
3 comments
Lier, Norway is home to one of the only American Civil War monuments found outside of the USA. Dedicated to Lierbyen born Colonel Hans Christian Heg it is a replica of statues found in Wind Lake and Madison, Wisconsin. It was donated by a group of Norwegian Americans in 1925.
Colonel Heg was commanding officer of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment which was known as the Scandinavian Regiment. The majority of its members were immigrants from Norway with the rest being from Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Heg arrived in America at age 11 when his family settled in Muskego. In 1849, at age 20 he set off for California and spent two years as a gold prospector. After two years, Heg returned to Wisconsin and became an outspoken anti-slavery advocate and involved in politics. After the outbreak of the war and charged by the governor to raise a Norwegian Regiment, Heg said to new recruits:
“Norsemen, 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.”
Heg and the 15th saw action in 1862, taking part in the Union victories at the Battle of Island Number Ten and the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky. Heg’s battlefield presence and bravery at the Battle of Stones River in December of 1862 led Major General William Rosencrans to make him commander of the 3rd Brigade 1st Division within the Army of the Cumberland on May 1, 1863.
On September 19, 1863 during the Battle of Chickamauga while leading a charge on horseback, Colonel Heg was struck with a bullet in his abdomen lacerating his bowels. He stayed in the saddle and issued commands until weak from blood loss. He was taken to a field hospital where he died on September 20.
Heg paid the ultimate sacrifice in keeping with the motto of the 15th: “For Gud og Vort Land!” (For God and Our Country!)
Recently the Norwegian statue was used to cast a duplicate head for the statue in Madison, Wisconsin which was damaged by rioting in 2020
Very cool! My great-great-great-grandfather fought under him. I’ll certainly plan on visiting this the next time I’m in Norway.
Used to pass by this statue daily! Never knew the history behind until today, thank you for sharing it