Eric Bergland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Bergland
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Erik Andersson Berglund |
| Born | April 21, 1844 Alfta, Sweden |
| Died | November 3, 1918 (aged 74) Baltimore, Maryland, US |
| Place of burial |
Green Mount Cemetery
|
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
Union Army United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1896 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 57th Illinois Vols. Inf. 5th U.S. Artillery Corps of Engineers |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson Battle of Shiloh Siege of Corinth Second Battle of Corinth Battle of Resaca |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Scott McFarland Bergland |
Eric Bergland (born April 21, 1844 – died November 3, 1918) was a brave military officer. He was born in Sweden but became an American hero. His family came to the United States seeking religious freedom. Eric fought in the American Civil War as a volunteer.
He later graduated at the very top of his class from West Point. He served his adopted country with great skill. Eric was a professor at West Point and explored the American West. He married a cousin of the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Contents
Early Life and New Beginnings
Eric Bergland was born Erik Andersson Berglund in Sweden. His father, Anders Olsson Berglund, was a farmer. Anders followed a religious leader named Eric Jansson. Jansson's teachings caused problems with the official Church of Sweden.
The government treated Jansson and his followers badly. So, in 1847, they decided to move to the United States. They hoped to find religious freedom there. Eric, who was only three years old, came with his family.
They settled in Illinois and helped create the Bishop Hill Colony. After Eric Jansson was killed, Eric's father left that faith. He became a preacher in the local Methodist Church.
Learning a Trade
When Eric was 12, he started learning a trade. He became an apprentice at a printing office. This office printed a Swedish newspaper called Svenska Republikanaren in Galva.
Later, the newspaper moved to Chicago. The Bishop Hill Colony owned the printing press. They made young Eric the manager of the office that stayed in Galva.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War started, the Bishop Hill Colony formed a group of volunteers. They offered their help to the United States Army. This group became Company D of the 57th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Even though Eric Bergland was only 17, he was chosen as a Second Lieutenant. He fought in many important battles. These included the Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Shiloh, and the Siege of Corinth. He also fought in the Second Battle of Corinth and the Battle of Resaca.
After the Battle of Shiloh, Eric was promoted to First Lieutenant. In the fall of 1864, he received a special invitation. He was asked to attend West Point. He delayed starting there for a bit. He stayed with his regiment but worked as a military engineer in Ohio until the war ended.
A Distinguished Military Career
Eric Bergland graduated from West Point in 1869. He was the top student in his entire class! This high ranking usually meant he would join the Corps of Engineers. However, there were no open spots at the time. So, he became a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Artillery instead.
Engineering and Exploration
While in the 5th Artillery, he helped the U.S. Army in 1870. They worked to stop Fenian raids into Canada. Two years later, he finally transferred to the Engineers as a First Lieutenant.
From 1873 to 1883, Bergland taught at West Point. He was an instructor and a professor. During this time, he also spent three years exploring the American West. This was from 1875 to 1878, working with George Wheeler.
In those three years, he traveled over 2,000 miles. He rode mules and walked, surveying land in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado.
Later Service and Retirement
Eric Bergland was promoted to Captain in 1884. He then worked at various engineering jobs. These were in states like Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. He also commanded a company and taught at the Corp's School of Application.
In his final years in the military, Bergland worked as a lighthouse engineer. He was promoted to Major in 1895. He retired from the army a year later. After retiring, Eric and his family lived in Baltimore.
Family Life
Eric Bergland married Lucy Scott McFarland in 1878. Lucy was a cousin of President Rutherford B. Hayes's wife, Lucy Webb Hayes.
Eric and Lucy had four children: John, Eric, William, and Mary Brita. Their oldest son, John, became a well-known doctor specializing in childbirth.
