From: Kringhaug@shaw.ca Subject: Memories of the Civil War Date: May 14, 2005 2:42:36 AM CDT Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~maggiebakke/ulvestad.html "Norwegians in American Wars" Memories of the Civil War (by Torkel Torgersen, Erskine, Minn.)* "-----Now I was a soldier and as such I came to learn the soldier's life. We came to Madison with our Company and began to train and when more Companies arrived, we went to Camp Randall in the outskirts of Madison where we learned to drill and at the same time became acquainted with one another. Among the soldiers there were three who were well-known from Norway and who probably were still spoken of at home for their fighting ability. Tosten Dangerud, one of Hallingdal's best fighters who when drunk caused much damage and was feared by our soldiers. I remember once that he came roaring into our quarters. Everyone ran out the door except one who remained, which Tosten took as defiance. After an exchange of words it ended that Tosten was sent headlong between two bunks. There were three bunks above one another. Tosten had little room and could not get out until he humbly promised to be a good boy. After that he always left the man at peace. Christian Colbjørnsen from Christiania was also another brawler there. He was also known for his great strength since it was said that he could get under a horse, lift it up from the ground and swing it around. He also found his superior, the same man who stowed Tosten into the bunk. Now those celebrities were conquered but Andreas Fosse from Sogn**, who at home had travelled around as a peddler, was probably better than the other two. It was said that he could put his heels on a chair and his head on another and support three men who sat on him. He never had the opportunity to show his strength in the regiment for he never picked a quarrel and left everyone at peace. I believe besides that the Fifteenth Regiment consisted of such good soldiers as any regiment could show; all healthy and fit and courageous. When we left Madison we knew little of what we would undergo in the three years that faced us. We came to St. Louis where we were taken aboard boats and sent to the vicinity of Island No. 10, which our gunships bombarded for over two weeks. During that time we lived partly on the boats and partly on log booms where we did our cooking. It was not unusual to see one or another with a coffee cup or soup bowl in their hands fall between the logs to the laughter and amusement of the onlookers but little joy for those who received an involuntary bath and lost their food. We guarded the land on the Missouri side so the enemy could not come and attack our gunships that were on that side of the river. We guarded a two to three long line. I will never forget a night when together with some others I was set on watch at 7 o'clock in the evening. The sky was filled with thick, black and coppery clouds that indicated a coming storm and we did not have to wait long. The rain began to fall in torrents. The thunder struck blow after blow. The lightning lit the sky so it looked like the inside of a stove and sparks seemed to fall all around us. And to make things worse the cannons at Madrid Bend, right across from us, began to fire and things really broke loose. Round after round for about two hours. Many of the rounds crossed the river, uncomfortably close to us. We became rather unconcerned as we walked back and forth since we knew that nothing could come through the impenetrable darkness after the worst of the thunderstorm had passed. Three or four of us walked together in order to better pass the time. We took a rail, set it in a fence and sat on it. But we had not been there long before a cannon ball came and hit the fence. That sent a cold shiver down our backs but we stayed where we were except for one man who ran off into a field and threw himself down. That was hardly pleasant for the field was soaked with water. We were not relieved until 5 o'clock in the morning. The reason was that the watch troops had been lodged in a log cabin and a cannon ball went right through it, breaking a log and sending the watch to flight. They found a mortar scow where they stayed the rest of the night and so we were left to our fate. This was our first test under fire but we found harder nuts to crack after a while. The reason the rebels used such heavy cannon fire was that three of our gunships sailed past the island and when they had successfully made the trip, there was nothing else for the enemy to do but surrender. The next morning we were ordered to go ashore at Madrid Bend and gather prisoners and anything else. And many a full box of clothing was packed and sent to the families up north. Now we had the island in our possession and three Companies of the Fifteenth Regiment were ordered to remain and set up defenses in case the enemy should come back up the river. But before the Brigade left us we made a little excursion to a railroad station called Union City, 21 miles from Hickman. We went by boat from the island and up the river and went ashore at Hickman. From there it was away through the country without knowing where we were going. It became rather dark before we halted. We knew then that something unusual was ahead for we were not allowed to speak loudly or light fires. We had to eat hardtack and drink cold water. During the night we held our rifles like a mother holds her child. As the day began to dawn we were again on the march. We went straight into the forest that had been cut down, with trees felled in all directions. We crept ahead as best we could and it was not long before we were right at a little rebel camp to whom we sent a rifle salvo as a morning greeting. I will never forget the activity in the little camp and before we knew it all the men sprang out of their tents. Some had their trousers in their hands but most had just their shirts on. And in that costume they had to cover the three miles to a cavalry camp of several thousand men which we knew about and who caused us to be nimble-footed. We knew that after the first shock was over they would pursue us. We burned the camp, took the horses and set off as quickly as we could. We reached Hickman and as we were boarding the boats we saw the enemy on the heights above Hickman and thanks to our gunship we were not taken prisoner. Happy and satisfied we came back to the island where our Brigade departed and left us alone. After we had gotten the island in a defensible condition, two of our Companies were sent to join the Regiment much to everyone's happiness. We had tired of the monotonous life as well as the hard work we had to carry out. At the same time a good many of us had gotten sick from the poor water since we had no other but the Mississippi River. In the eight months from when we left Madison until we came to Bowling Green, Ky. my weight had reduced from 240 to 145 pounds when I joined many others admitted to hospital. I believed I would never be well again but I was satisfied that I could be there whether it would be life or death. It was in the fall when we came there when all the fruit was ripe and the farmers took all their loads of apples and other produce to market. And we duped many farmers badly, when some engaged in good conversation with them, others were behind the wagon and ripped open the sacks and stole what we found. It was a sort of mania. We stole whether we needed it or not and whether it lead to death or not. For my part, I had been warned not to eat green fruit but this admonition I had forgotten as well as the doctor's instructions with regard to the food he prescribed for me. That consisted of a little piece of well-toasted bread and a little tea to drink. I gathered up the left-overs I found in the room and ate them until the doctor forbade it and told the waiters not to give me anything other than his prescription. Then I went to the kitchen where I was always well provided for. That did not last long before I was denied food there also. But I was not at a loss. Outside the kitchen there were always one or more barrels that contained scraps from the kitchen and from them I had many a good meal. The victory was won. The doctor promised me I would get no medicine but would die like a dog. I would be permitted to eat all I wished and what I wished for the short time he told me I would live. Naturally I was grateful to the doctor, not so much for the honourable death he promised me but for the good meals I expected, which was no deceit. I ate all I wished and what I wished and remarkably I got better day by day and in a short time I was well enough to return to the Regiment. I believe this is the place to recount a touching occurrence that happened at the hospital. Everyone in the Regiment knew the Urnes brothers. There were three of them in the Regiment. Andreas Urnes was the Colour Bearer. And he was equal to the job. There was no braver soldier in the Regiment than him. The same with his brother Ole, who after the war went to Douglas County where he was sheriff for many years. But their youngest brother, a small and young boy whose name I cannot recall even though he was one of my best friends, especially in the hospital. There were many of our Regiment there but this little Urnes was treated by all of us like a pet. (This boy's name was Peter, see the account earlier in the book. M.U.) His engaging face made him beloved by all of us. He had a habit of washing his feet every day. One day while he sat near the stove and washed he said to me that he did not have long to live. I laughed at him and said that it was just his imagination, which I also believed. But I had to help him to his bed, which we had never had to do before. On his request I pulled out a folder from under his pillow that contained some letters and photographs of his sister. I promised to give these articles to his brother Andreas which I later did along with a brotherly farewell. He called on the nurse and asked her to call all the Norwegians in the hospital to him, which was done. When they came he could see nothing but he called us by name and asked each of us come to him. Then he took each of us by the hand and thanked us for the love we had shown him. When he had said farewell to all of us he folded his hands on his breast and recited Our Father aloud and clearly. We stood by his bedside and thought he had exerted himself too much and fallen asleep. But to our great surprise he was dead. I have seen many dead and dying but never anyone who died so cheerfully and who seemed to be as pain-free as him. Another curious thing happened at the same hospital. A French-Canadian, who was also with our Regiment but whose name I will not mention, had a hatred of dogs and cats and the more he could torture these animals the more content he was. He died in the hospital and was placed in the mortuary overnight as usual but the unusual thing that happened to him was that the rats ate up his face during the night. Our Regiment now came back from Louisville where they had pursued Bragg and his army without ever coming to a battle. It looked as though they were play-acting. They were seldom more than a half-day's march from each other. It was also told that the two army leaders often visited each other at night. Since they were brothers-in-law this was possible. When our Regiment came to Elmira I left the hospital without the doctor knowing it and found my Company. I remember that night as if it was now. The snow was quite high in the fields and we made a bonfire, pushed the snow aside and lay around the fire. The next morning there were many sick admitted to the hospital and to my great annoyance, I was one of them and the doctor did not wish to have me. The hospital to which we were admitted was a big church. In this hospital just as many people died as in all the other hospitals together. Possibly the reason was that the doctor was a rebel. Several times I heard him shout hurrah for Jeff Davis when he was drunk, which was not infrequently. In a while I was discharged from the hospital and with several others sent back to the Regiment that was then in Murfreesboro, Tenn. where many of our boys had to give their lives in a three day battle that took place at Christmas and where our army won a brilliant victory under the command of our brave General Rosecrans. I will omit details about work, patrols and small raids in the countryside where our brave Colonel Heg, who always received fame for his many displays of bravery, was our leader. He was not only brave and quick-witted in battle but he dealt with the soldiers as his equals. I recall that many times he would go around the camp and when he found someone who had more than the usual rations he got a plate and a cup and sat with us and ate and had one or another amusing story to tell. This made him beloved and popular in the whole Brigade he commanded. Our Regiment and Brigade were always the ones to be found where they were most needed, such as when we marched from Murfreesboro to the Tennessee River where we supposed that the enemy had hidden in the woods on the other side. Our pontoon boats were all pulled up into a line with so and so many men ordered into each boat and on a given signal all the boats were launched, full of soldiers who competed to see who would be first on the other side. Again it was Heg, as usual, who was first ashore but instead of the warm reception we expected from the enemy not a shot was fired since they had all left. The advance was now in full force with small actions here and there daily but since this is of little interest I will omit that and begin with the 19th September 1863. At dawn the Brigade was awakened, had a hasty breakfast and five days provisions were issued to each man. Just when we were finished and on the march shooting began at some distance. The shooting stopped after a while and the only thing one can compare it with is when a strong hailstorm hits the roof with a strong thunderclap all at once. One day on this march, decks of cards seemed to become so heavy that no one wished to carry them, and cards were strewn all along the way. Whether this was done to lighten the load or because of conscience, shall be unsaid. The reader may judge for himself. That morning I and a young lad, Ole Gunstinsen, also from Sætersdalen made a promise to one another that if one should fall and the other be saved, he would tell the parents about the fallen one. My comrade disappeared that I had to tell his parents much later. When we got to the place where the battle took place and were ordered in a battle line, I took three crackers and began to eat. I thought that it might be some time before I would get something to eat which later turned out to be so. I had eaten two but threw away the third when the shooting began. We were then in the tumult of battle and drove the enemy back but it did not last long before we had to pull back to our lines. In that manner we drove each other back and forth seven times. At that time my hand was wounded but it did not hinder me from shooting but then I received a bullet that made me unconscious for a moment and when I stopped and examined my wound I believed that my thigh bone was broken. I laid down in the shelter of a big tree but it was not long before the bullets hit the tree and the small bushes seemed to be alive. At that same time a Lieutenant of our Regiment came who I asked for help. But he could not because a little piece of his little finger was shot off which he showed me and left. I hoped that his head would go the next time. I discovered that I could walk and I hobbled along until Colonel Heg saw me and pointed the right way since I was on the way toward the rebels who lay in a field beside us. I followed the new direction and got past our lines, but not far. The blood loss was great and I began to see stars. I had to sit down and rest and thought that possibly someone would come and bind up my wounds. Several passed by but none had the time to help me. Finally two men came of whom one was kind enough to help me. He put a bandage on which consisted of the bottom of my shirt. But when he was putting a pin in it a cannon ball plowed into the ground just five feet from us. The lad dropped the pin and bandage and bolted away as fast as he could. I suppose I would have done the same in his place. We did not know if it was a ball or a shell but we fled in fear. I had to continue with the bandage but was in such a hurry I forgot my food and cartridge case. I received the help of a man who supported me until we came to an ambulance that took me and another wounded a short distance away and left us near a small unoccupied house and laid us under some big trees. My comrade died the first night while I lay there for five days without food or drink before I was found by our people who brought me to the hospital, four or five miles from the place where the battle took place. On the 20th September our army had to withdraw to Chattanooga and many ran like frightened sheep. Almost no one knew where their comrades were. At Chattanooga our army entrenched itself to receive the enemy. We were now in the enemy's hands. Our doctor and nurses were ordered to let themselves be taken prisoner so they could treat their badly wounded. The lightly wounded escaped to Chattanooga. After five days I was found and brought to the hospital where we received treatment but little or no food. It was there I first heard that our valiant Colonel had fallen. I do not think that I grieved more over my father's death than I did his. It was said about him that he was foolhardy. But never did we go into any danger unless he was in the lead. Nor did he plunge himself or us into danger without knowing how to get us out again. We were in the hospital for six days. One day a black woman came to our tent and wished to have our laundry. I gave her my bloody and stiff trousers and that was the last I saw of them and later had to use a piece of the tent that I wrapped around me like a skirt. I used that until I got to Nashville, Tenn. We were all exchanged under parole and transported through the lines by the rebels. We drove through the battlefield where the naked dead were strewn about, eleven days after the battle. It was a terrible sight to see the dead people and horses among each other. I must praise our drivers as they treated us with great friendship. Similarly when we came to their camp where we stopped for a time and the lads came to us with food and coffee - more than we could have expected from enemies. We came to Chattanooga in the evening where they received us as though we were brothers. Our wounds were examined and dressed and we all received good food, something we were not used to get. The next morning I heard that my Regiment was encamped in the outskirts of the city and I walked there on two crutches. It still makes me happy when I think of the hearty reception from the Company and Regiment and I will never forget the affection Lieutenant Simonsen showed me. He could not have treated a brother with more friendship. The next day he brought me clothing. He accompanied me to the hospital in the evening. Then something happened that was unexpected. Early the next morning we were taken by ambulance again to Stevenson. The roads seemed almost impassable and many of the wounded soldiers could feel it. Finally we got to Stevenson and there we were packed into box cars like a herd of pigs. Then the trip continues to Nashville where we were admitted to hospital and received good treatment in every way and our improvement went quickly. But the longing for home was unbearable for me and when they believed I was well enough I received permission to go home. *The account that Torgeresen sent me unfortunately had to be shortened a bit. **Andreas Fosse was from Voss, not from Sogn We find him listed in the Honour Roll as a Captain (previously in the book). He fell at Stone River after having shown unusual bravery. Some camp memories Our Orderly Sergeant, John Underwood, was the swiftest and best we had in the Regiment. He was skilled at boxing and quick as lightning although not very big. He taught me the art of boxing in a rather reckless way so that blood often flowed from my mouth and nose. Such joking was more than I could take and he always had to flee as best he could. But it was not long before I was just as good in the art as he was for I was a quick learner but mainly because I wished to pay him back for all the bloody noses he gave me. And it was not long before I gave him tit for tat so I could get my debt satisfied for me if not always for him. Nevertheless we were inseparable. Where one was, both were. At the same time it seemed that the lads had little fun if we were not along. They knew that we always had a grudge and seldom did they miss any amusement. We lived at that time in Camp Washburn on the outskirts of Milwaukee. Once six or eight of us were going to walk to the city. Underwood was the first in line and I was behind him. On the way we came upon a man who was driving a cart of wet manure. Underwood said he would give $5.00 to the one who could throw him onto the load. The words were no sooner out of his mouth than I grabbed him from behind and flung him full length onto the load so that the manure squirted out to both sides. I had to take flight and had no time to wait for my payment even though he did his best to catch me. His uniform was ruined and I accompanied him to the camp so he could change his clothes and be more suitable for our company. One Sunday afternoon some of us were going to town. We ate our midday meal which consisted of butter, bread, coffee and black molasses that was served on our tin plates. Underwood came behind me to do mischief and after the third time he had pulled me onto the floor by the ears, I grabbed him and threw him the full length of the mess table so the cups and dishes and their contents made a dreadfull mess of his Sunday clothes. Once again he had to change. One Sunday there was inspection which always took place at nine in the morning. We were all ready to fall in when I went to Underwood's room and found him hurriedly dressing. On his request to help by putting his cartridge case and bayonet on his belt, I did that hastily but used a rusty bayonet that hung on the wall. I set the belt on him and we raced out the door and into the line. It happened it was a bright and cloudless day and the regiment was lined up such that the sun shone in our eyes so we could not see as well as we should. The inspection began and Underwood was the first. The Captain took his rifle and asked what it was with his bayonet. Underwood scowled at me. The Captain wished to have an explanation and Underwood told the whole story. There was hearty laughter from the Colonel, the Captain and the whole Regiment so every officer in the Regiment was able to take part in the fun we had. But the worst trick I played on him I cannot tell in its entirety. Suffice to say that he took a large poker and chased after me all around the camp. I had a good lead so the poker was of little use to him. Had he reached me there would have been an unpleasant contact with my poor skin. During the run we passed by the Officer's Quarters and since it was a warm and pleasant day the officers and some visitors from town had gathered so the balcony was full of both sexes. Our Captain asked what was going on. Underwood explained without beating around the bush to the hearty laughter and amusement of everyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------- A remarkable event occurred on this trip. The boat we travelled on stopped for two to three hours at a town whose name I cannot remember but it does not matter to the story. We took a trip up through the town. Moore and I were together. We noticed a man across the street who was looking at us. Finally he came over and greeted me and asked to speak to me alone. This man belonged to a regiment that was put together of escaped soldiers from the South and who were sent six weeks before to Fort Snelling. He and four others had remained in Milwaukee, where the regiment had served at Camp Reno and were seen as deserters and considered such by us. One evening I was out and looking for them in Milwaukee and I found and arrested him. This was after eleven o'clock and the street lights had been put out. He escaped and I fired three times and hit him twice, once in the arm and once in the shoulder but luckily he was only lightly injured. I did not find the man and my comrades made fun of me because I let him escape. This was the man who wished to speak to me. He was on his way to his regiment but was out of money and could not get anywhere and had found out that his regiment had left Fort Snelling. I spoke to Moore and we took him with us and reported that he had been in Milwaukee and was now heading to his regiment. We finally got to Fort Snelling and on our return trip we happened to get on the same boat we came up on. After that my comrades had to guard me so the boat's crew could not take their planned revenge. We came to La Crosse in the afternoon and we were to take the train in the evening. Sergeant Moore was the only one who had any money left and he took a sleeping car. When he left he said we should take the first class car since our tickets were for that and we needed to sleep since we had had little sleep on the trip. When we boarded the train I went into a first class car but my comrades went into second class. I gave them my rifle and some other things I had and went back and put my ticket in my hat and soon fell asleep. After a while I was awakened by the conductor with a request for my ticket. I directed him to my hat and felt that he should not have disturbed me. He let me know that I only had right to a second class car and had to get out and so his order would be complied with quickly he grabbed my by the collar in an impolite manner and lifted me out of the seat. I believed that we were about to play a game and grabbed the conductor by the throat so forcibly that he let go. There was not a little laughter among the passengers over this little incident. The conductor left and I occupied the seat and soon fell asleep and did not wake up until we were in Milwaukee. As the day passed and we had had some food I went to speak to my comrades and walked past the Captain's office. He waved to me and I went in. I feared a severe dressing down and was not a little amazed when he gave me a big glass of whisky and said that Sergeant Moore had told him everything. A battle on the lake. Once a Sergeant from a regular regiment who was stationed at a fort at Detroit came to get five men who had deserted from there. Since he was alone he received five men from our Regiment to accompany him with the prisoners. I was the only one from my Company with him. We boarded the boat in the evening and were heading for Grand Haven. When the boat was well under way, the Sergeant asked me if I believed we could lie down to sleep and let the others keep watch. We could not forsee any danger since it was impossible to escape out on the lake. The Sergeant gave his instructions to the watch and we laid down and soon slept. How long I had slept I do not know but I was awakened by the Sergeant in a very rough way as he gave me a very hard kick in the side and asked me to get up quickly. Either there was a fire on the boat or we were about to sink. Something unusual must have happened from the way he behaved. I jumped up, rubbed my eyes and gathered my wits and then asked what was going on. He asked me to follow him. We had not gone far before we found two of the watch dead drunk. We had no use for them. All four of the guards and three prisoners had occupied the saloon where they were the lords. They each had a hatchet and with those weapons they drove everyone out the door and promised to split the skull of the first to come in. The Sergeant told me this on our way and when we came to the door he asked me what we should do. I felt that I was more responsible for this than the Sergeant since he had consulted me and perhaps believed I knew the guards and thought they could be relied upon. Without hesitation I asked if he had his revolver and to have his handcuffs ready as well. I opened the door and a man stood in the middle of the floor with a raised hatchet ready to throw or chop. I went straight to him and grabbed his hand and asked the Sergeant to come in. We put the handcuffs on him and had him under control. But where was the other one? I asked the Sergeant to remain where he was and I would go out to look for the other one. The first thing I bumped against outside the door was a barrel full of water with a bucket in it. It was so dark I could not see anything when I came out from the light. I left the barrel but had not gone more than three paces when my foot struck something which I found to be was a man lying there. I tried to awaken him but could not. I then tried to lift him up and found he was neither so asleep nor so drunk as he wished me to believe. I left him and went to the barrel and took a pail full of water which I poured on the man and he jumped up like a cat and grabbed me around the waist with both arms. This was something unexpected but I was able to grasp him by the throat and squeezed so forcibly that he had to loosen his grip. I dragged him into the saloon by the neck where we also put him in handcuffs. Now I found time to look around and such destruction and vandalism I have never seen. A large mirror that went across the whole wall was smashed and only the frame remained. Every single bottle and glass was broken in pieces and the counter looked more like a butcher's block than anything else since they had chopped it and totally destroyed it. But before we came to Grand Haven everyone was on their feet to leave the boat. All our prisoners had revceived enough money and to show their gratitude to the guards they contributed a sum of money for division. But since I had not held them in awe they forgot me which the Sergeant did not think much of. He had received $29 and gave me $10. He also had devised a plan so I could share with the others. In this way I received $35 from one who had received $85 and from another $10. Thereby I could live like a gentleman on my trip home." http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~maggiebakke/ulvestad.html "Norwegians in American Wars"