Ole C. Johnson

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Ole Johnson (1838 - November 4, 1886) was a Norwegian-American soldier in the American Civil War.

Ole was born in Telemark, Norway in 1838. At age 6 his family emigrated to America, settling in Dane County, Wisconsin. He became a school teacher in Stoughton.

When the Civil War broke out, Johnson joined the Scandinavian Regiment and was appointed captain of Company B. After the battle at Perryville, Johnson was promoted to the rank of major. He took part in the battle of Murfreesboro and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in March 1863. The Scandavian Regiment was heavily mauled at the battle of Chickamauga with approximately 63% killed, wounded or captured. Colonel Hans Christian Heg who had commanded the Regiment since its formation was killed and Johnson was captured.

Johnson was held in Libby Prison in Virginia before it was decided in May 1864 to move him to another prison. At Chesterville , Johnson and two others escaped from the railroad car they were being transported in. After a month, the men were able to rejoin the Union Army at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Johnson was promited to colonel and took command of the Scandinavian Regiment on July 24, 1864, remaining with the regiment until the end of the war.

After the war Johnson went into business and settled in Beloit, Wisconsin, becoming active in the Republican Party and was elected mayor of Beloit.

Ole Johnson died in Beloit, Wisconsin, on November 4, 1886.