Immigrants deserve much of the credit for winning the Civil War. A Wisconsin museum's new exhibit explores why they took up arms

Exhibit on soldier David Oram (Courtesy Civil War Museum, Kenosha, WI)

Whether motivated by money, patriotism, anti-slavery sentiments or the need to prove oneself, immigrants flocked to join the Union cause during the Civil War, sometimes not long after they arrived by boat. Their contribution to victory over the Confederacy cannot be overestimated: They made up 25 percent of soldiers and 40 percent of sailors in the Federal ranks. 

The Library Company of Philadelphia

"Defending the Union: Immigrant Soldiers in the Union Army,” a new exhibit at the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wis., explores the service and sacrifice of these men.

Military records, photographs, memorabilia and personal narratives of veterans help tell their compelling story.

Many immigrants had fought in European conflicts and were prepared for combat. Others arrived impoverished, ripe for recruiting – drawn by a bounty (enlistment bonus) and steady military pay.

“Some had families to support, or wives and children awaiting money for passage,” the museum says in an article about the exhibit. “Many men enlisted on the spot, or within days of reaching American soil. Others went to war for draftees who paid them to take their place.”

More than 500,000 immigrants showed uncompromised bravery while fighting for the Union.

Norwegian-born Col. Hans Heg (left), commanded the 15^th Wisconsin, a regiment comprising mostly Scandinavian immigrants. David Oram, who came to the United States from Dundee, Scotland, when he was about 8, joined the 24^th Wisconsin.

Both were at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. Oram was seriously wounded and spent six months recovering. Heg became the highest-ranking Wisconsin officer to die in battle.

Heg, 33, died defending the freedoms he found in the United States. “The State has sent no braver soldier, and no truer patriot to aid in this mighty struggle for national unity, than Hans Christian Heg,” the State Journal wrote Sept. 29, 1863, reporting word of his death. “The valorous blood of the old Vikings ran in his veins, united with the gentler virtues of a Christian and a gentleman.”

Early in the conflict, Heg wrote about what motivated he and other immigrants.

(Civil War Museum, Kenosha, WI)

"The government of our adopted country is in danger. That which we learned to love as freemen in our old Fatherland --our freedom -- our government -- our independence -- is threatened with destruction. Is it not our duty as brave and intelligent citizens to extend our hands in defense of the cause of our country and our own homes?"

The Civil War Museum largely concentrates on soldiers from seven Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“More than a third of Wisconsin’s population was foreign-born, giving it the second-highest proportion of immigrants of all states, says Patrick Young, who writes “The Reconstruction Era” and “Immigrants’ Civil War” blogs.

“For every one immigrant who served in the Confederate army, nine served with the Union. Many, particularly the Germans, said they did so to end slavery. Without these men, and their wives who supported their service, it is difficult to see how the Union could have been preserved,” Young tells the Picket.

A large proportion of those on the Union side were German and Irish, but Poland, Italy and many other countries were represented.

Some 369 immigrants received the Medal Honor for their heroism in the Civil War.

(Courtesy of Civil War Museum, Kenosha, WI)

“United if only by the desire to prove themselves worthy of becoming Americans, immigrants and ethnic groups often struggled to earn respect and a place in society,” the museum says.

In a video posted to the museum’s Facebook page, education coordinator Doug Dammann details the life and service of David Oram, who settled in Racine. He enlisted in August 1862.

Oram rejoined the Union army after he was wounded at Chickamauga, and mustered out in June 1865. He returned home, married and worked for a machine company. Like many Union veterans, Oram was active in the fraternal Grand Army of the Republic – in his case, the Gov. Harvey post.

Oram and his wife, Rosina, attended many events, including the 1915 encampment in Washington, DC,  marking the 50^th anniversary of the war’s end.

In April 1935, a few months before Oram died at age 94, he was honored at a patriotic and military ball in Race County. Besides Chickamauga, he was a veteran of the battles at Perryville, Stones River and Franklin-Nashville.

David Oram before the Civil War

The program for the veterans council ball included this verse:

“To Our Comrade David Oram

The last of Abe Lincoln’s boys,

And to his Comrades departed;

Our Boyhood Heroes

To You, We the younger veterans,

Affectionately dedicate this Program.

Ourselves, we dedicate

To Carry On the Work, so well and nobly done

By the Grand Army of the Republic

(Courtesy of Civil War Museum, Kenosha, WI)