Norwegians in the Civil War
CHRISTENSEN, Charles
WI 8th Inf Co A. Residence: Lind, Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Born about 1840 in Norway. Civil War: Age 21. Unmarried. Blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, 5’7½”. Enlisted for three years on 27 Aug 1861 at Waupaca, and mustered on 5 Sep 1861 at Madison, Wisconsin. Private. Took part in the battle of Fredericktown, Missouri, on 21 Oct 1861; the siege of Mississippi River Island No. 10; and the battle at Farmington, Mississippi, 8 May 1862. Appointed Sergeant Major of the Regiment on 21 May 1862. Was in the battle at Iuka, Mississippi, on 15 Sep 1862; the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, 3 and 4 Oct 1862. Engaged in action at Jackson, Mississippi, 14 May 1863, and in the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and at Richmond, Louisiana; and in the Rat (sp?) River campaign at Chiat, Arkansas. Appointed Second Lieutenant 30 Aug 1862 and mustered 5 Nov 1862. Appointed First Lieutenant 20 Jan 1863. Detailed at Aide de Camp to Major General [unreadable, looks like O.A.Mower] 31 Jul 1864. Commissioned ADC with rank of Captain 23 May 1865. Sources: (WHS red book vol 13, p14) (Civil War Veterans of Winnebago County, Wisconsin” by David A. Langkau) “Christiansen, Charles” “Christian, Christian” in the 1905 Wisconsin State Census.