Civil War Soldiers Record Database

Charles ‘Charley’ Thompson was enlisted in Company K of the 15th WI by 2nd Lieutenant Olaus Solberg in Winneshiek County, IA on January 3, 1862, for a 3-year term of service. His uncle, Peter Thompson, joined up with him. The men of Company K called themselves the Clausen’s Guards in honor of the 15th’s first Chaplain, Claus Clausen. Most of the company was recruited from Scandinavian communities in MN and IA, with the rest from WI.

Charles was mustered into Federal service at the rank of Private (Menig) on February 11, 1862, at Camp Randall, near Madison, Dane County, WI. At the time he was listed as being 19 years old and not married. He was recorded as having blue eyes, blond hair, fair skin, stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, and being a farmer. His residence was listed as Winneshiek County, IA.

After just 3 weeks at Camp Randall learning to be a soldier, Private Charles Thompson and his uncle left there in early March 1862, with their company and regiment to join the war. Private Thompson’s whereabouts were “not stated” during March and April 1862, when the 15th participated in the successful siege of Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River in TN and the surprise raid on Union City, TN.

After the surrender of Island No. 10 on April 7, 1862, Companies A, F, H, I, and K were sent to occupy the island. There was much hard, physical work to be done on the island, and quickly. The slave-built fortifications contained many cannons, which the Confederates had installed to defend against a Union attack coming down the Mississippi River from the north. These had to be moved and the fortifications changed so they could be used to defend the island against a possible Confederate assault coming up the river from the south. This task was made even more difficult due to the unhealthy nature of the island, and with problems getting an adequate supply of rations. These conditions caused many complaints, sickness, and even death amongst the soldiers there.

Private Charles Thompson was listed as “present” with the regiment from June until August 1862. On June 11, 1862, he and his uncle departed Island No. 10 by steamboat along with their company and regiment to go on summer campaign through TN, MS, and AL.

On August 20, 1862, Private Thompson was left sick in an Army hospital in Iuka, MS. The next day the 15th marched away, taking his uncle with it. They never saw each other again. At some point during the next 6 weeks Private Charles Thompson was moved to an Army General Hospital in Jackson, TN. There he died of “Diarrhoea” on October 7 or 9, 1862. His uncle fell ill and died of disease 3 months later in Bowling Green, KY.

Sources: Genealogical data provided by Gene Estensen; Civil War Compiled Military Service Records by Office of Adjutant General of the United States (Washington, DC); Det Femtende Regiment, Wisconsin Frivillage [The Fifteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers] by Ole A. Buslett (Decorah, Iowa, 1895); Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Volume I, Office of the Adjutant General State of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin, 1886).