George Wilson (major) facts for kids
George Wilson (also known as Georg Wilson and Jurgen Wilson) was born in Germany on December 18, 1836. He passed away on April 20, 1897. Wilson was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served with a special group called the Scandinavian Regiment.
Early Life and Journey to America
George Wilson was born in Hamburg, Germany. His father was English, and his mother was German. For a time, he lived in Kristiania, Norway, which is now known as Oslo.
In 1858, Wilson moved to the United States. He first settled in Madison, Wisconsin. There, he worked as a store clerk for about a year. In December 1859, he traveled to New Orleans and became a sailor. He also lived in Chicago for a short period. When the Civil War began in 1861, he returned to Madison and joined the Scandinavian Regiment.
Serving in the Civil War
Wilson started his military career as a second lieutenant in Company B. His first battle was a Union raid on Union City, Tennessee. In May 1862, he became a full lieutenant after fighting in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.
During the Battle of Chaplin Hills, Wilson was in charge of Company H. Later, he was wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro.
Soon after returning to duty, Wilson was promoted to Major. He was severely wounded again at the Battle of Chickamauga, where he was shot three times. While recovering in Wisconsin, he married Mary Madson.
Wilson returned to duty in November 1863. He temporarily led the Scandinavian Regiment during battles like Battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, and Pickett's Mill. The regiment lost many soldiers at Pickett's Mill. In July 1864, he handed command over to Colonel Ole Johnson. Wilson stayed with the regiment and fought in 26 more battles until the war ended in 1865.
Life After the War
After the war, George Wilson became a successful businessman in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He started a bank and a steamship business called Wilson & Jurgens. He also had a share in a company that salted meat.
In 1874, while on a family vacation in Europe, Wilson showed great bravery. He rescued a woman who fell overboard from a steamship off the coast of Norway.
Later, Wilson's business faced difficulties and failed. In 1878, he had to sell his shares. After that, he worked as a traveling salesman for a clothing company in Chicago.
In 1882, he moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Three years later, the Governor of Wisconsin, Governor Rusk, asked Wilson and other veterans to write about the history of Wisconsin's Civil War regiments.
George Wilson passed away in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1897.
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