Jurgen
Wilson was born in Hamburg, Germany,
on 18th December, 1836. His parents were English and he lived for
a time in Norway before emigrating to
America in 1858. He settled in Madison, Wisconsin, and found work
as a clerk in a drug store.
In December, 1859, travelled to New Orleans and later became a sailor.
He spent time in Chicago before returning
to Madison.
On the outbreak of the Civil War Wilson
joined the Scandinavian Regiment under the command of Colonel Hans
Heg. Although Wilson had no military experience, Heg appointed
him 2nd Lieutenant of Company B.
Wilson took part in the successful raid on Union City, Tennessee.
After an extensive campaign in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama,
he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in May, 1862.
Wilson led Company H at the Battle of Chaplin Hills (October, 1862)
and the Battle of Murfreesboro (December, 1862), where he was wounded.
Colonel Hans Heg promoted Wilson to the rank
of major in March, 1863. Some 63% of the Scandinavian Regiment were
killed, wounded or captured at the Battle of Chickamauga (September,
1863). Wilson was shot three times, including a serious wound in his
left side and the loss of a thumb.
While recovering from his wounds in Wisconsin, Wilson married Mary
Madson. In November, 1863, Wilson returned to take temporary command
of the Scandinavian Regiment. Wilson led his men during battles at
Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and the disastrous Pickett's Mill (27th May,
1864) where once again the regiment suffered heavy casualties.
Lieutenant Ole Johnson resumed command
of the Scandinavian Regiment in July, 1864. By the time the war ended
in April, 1865, Wilson had taken part in 26 military engagements.
After the war Wilson became a successful businessman in La Crosse
County, Wisconsin. Trading under the name Wilson & Jurgens, he
ran a bank and steamship business. He was also a partner in a meat
salting company.
In 1874 Wilson took his family on a tour of Europe. While on a steamboat
off the coat of Norway, Wilson once again became a hero. It was later
reported that: "A woman fell overboard. He immediately tore off
his hat and coat and was in the water holding the woman's head by
the hair before anybody else on board knew what was happening. He
held her above the water like this until a boat came to help."
Wilson's business failed in 1878 and he became a travelling salesman
for a wholesale clothing firm in Chicago.
It is not known when or where Jurgen Wilson died.
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