Finkelsen, Knud

Knud Finkelsen

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company C, 15th Wisconsin Infantry

Date of Birth:

June 7th, 1845

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

December 31, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Knud Finkelsen was born on June 7, 1845. He lived in Norway, Wisconsin before his enlistment. He enlisted as a private on November 11, 1861 and was mustered the same day into Company C of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Information about him can also be found under "Knudt Finkelsen."

The 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was known as the Scandinavian Regiment and was comprised of mainly Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish immigrants. It was organized at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin. It is likely that Finkelsen was an immigrant from Norway based on this information. The 15th Wisconsin moved along the Mississippi River during their service, stopping in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Kentucky. Their first major battle was the battle of Perryville in October of 1862. After Perryville they headed to Nashville, Tennessee where they remained until late December. On December 26, 1862, they received orders to head south in pursuit of Bragg. The 15th Wisconsin was in Carlin's brigade at the battle of Stones River.

They arrived in Murfreesboro on December 30 and were positioned on Gresham Lane as the right flank of the Union army of the Cumberland. At 6am on December 31st, the opposing Confederate forces began their attack, sweeping around the far right of the Union army. The 15th Wisconsin took head on fire and by 9am, what remained of the regiment was pushed northwards near the Wilkinson Pike. They continued north in retreat as fighting began to rage on another section of the battlefield. Carlin's brigade reformed on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad where they remained until the end of the 31st.

Private Finkelsen died on December 31, 1862 at the battle of Stones River. He was one of 86 enlisted men that were killed in action during the 15th Wisonsin's service.

Knud Finkelsen is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot K-4450.