Ernest von Vegesack
Encyclopedia
Ernst Mattias Peter von Vegesack (June 18, 1820 – January 12, 1903) was a Swedish volunteer in the Union Army
during American Civil War
and later on was a member of the parliament of Sweden
. After his return to Sweden, he was awarded the brevet
grade of Brigadier general
of volunteers and in 1893 he received the Medal of Honor
for bravery in the Battle of Gaines' Mill
.
as a member of the Swedish nobility
. In 1840 he became an army officer
of Gotlands nationalbeväring
. Two years later he was transferred to Dalregementet
. He was educated in surveying
and worked until 1850 as a surveyor in Dalarna County
. In 1852 he was transferred to Saint Barthélemy
, then a Swedish possession in the Caribbean. After his return to Sweden, he received the command over Dalregementet and he was also supervising the Gävle-Dala Railroad, the first long railroad of Sweden.
. He became captain of the 58th Ohio Infantry
. The same year, he was promoted to major in the staff of general John E. Wool
. First he served in Fort Monroe
. As an aide-de-camp (ADC) to Mansfield
he took part in the artillery bombardment of Newport News
. In 1862 he resigned, but then he joined McClellan
in his siege of Yorktown
. As an ADC to Butterfield
he took part in the battles of Hanover Court House, of Seven Pines and of Fair Oaks
. He was at the Battle of Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, Savage's Station
, and Malvern Hill
. Vegesack was appointed colonel of the 20th New York Infantry, the German "Turner" regiment. He was given the command over the 3rd brigade in general Smith's
division of the 6th Army Corps
. He took part in the battles of Manassas and Bull Run
. He captured the heights outside Jefferson City, Maryland. He displayed bravery at Antietam
. Vegesack was in the Battle of Fredericksburg
. In May 1863 Vegesack's regiment was a part of Hooker's
left wing in the Battle of Chancellorsville
.
Vegesack resigned from the Union Army on June 1, 1863 and returned to Sweden. On February 22, 1866, President
Andrew Johnson
nominated von Vegesack for award of the brevet grade of brigadier general
of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 10, 1866.
in 1864. The next year he got married to Edla Amalia Sergel. In 1868 he was transferred to Hälsinge regemente
. From 1874 till 1884 he was military commander of his native Gotland. Promoted to Major general
in 1884, he was appointed commander of Sweden's 5th military district. Vegesack resigned from the military in 1888.
From 1879 till 1887 Vegesack sat in the upper house of the parliament of Sweden
as a delegate for Gotland. Ernst von Vegesack died January 12, 1903 at Stockholm
, and was buried at Skogskyrkogården
in Stockholm].
Rank and organization: Major and Aide_de_Camp, U.S. Volunteers. Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Sweden. Date of issue: 23 August 1893.
Citation:
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and later on was a member of the parliament of Sweden
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
. After his return to Sweden, he was awarded the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of Brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers and in 1893 he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for bravery in the Battle of Gaines' Mill
Battle of Gaines' Mill
The Battle of Gaines's Mill, sometimes known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as the third of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War...
.
Career in Sweden
Ernest von Vegesack was born on the Baltic island of GotlandGotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
as a member of the Swedish nobility
Swedish nobility
The Swedish nobility were historically a legally and/or socially privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse . Today, the nobility is still very much a part of Swedish society but they do not maintain many of their former privileges...
. In 1840 he became an army officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
of Gotlands nationalbeväring
Gotlands nationalbeväring
Gotlands nationalbeväring was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 19th century. It was split into two new regiments in 1887...
. Two years later he was transferred to Dalregementet
Dalregementet
Dalregementet , designations I 13 and I 13/Fo 53, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 2000...
. He was educated in surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and worked until 1850 as a surveyor in Dalarna County
Dalarna County
Dalarna County is a county or län in middle Sweden. It borders the counties of Jämtland, Gävleborg, Västmanland, Örebro and Värmland. It is also bordered by the Norwegian counties of Hedmark and Sør-Trøndelag in the west...
. In 1852 he was transferred to Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy , officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy , is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao...
, then a Swedish possession in the Caribbean. After his return to Sweden, he received the command over Dalregementet and he was also supervising the Gävle-Dala Railroad, the first long railroad of Sweden.
American Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, von Vegesack left for the United States and joined the Union ArmyUnion Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He became captain of the 58th Ohio Infantry
58th Ohio Infantry
The 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 58th Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio and mustered in for three years service on January 28, 1862 under the command of Colonel Valentine Bausenwein.The...
. The same year, he was promoted to major in the staff of general John E. Wool
John E. Wool
John Ellis Wool was an officer in the United States Army during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer...
. First he served in Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
. As an aide-de-camp (ADC) to Mansfield
Joseph K. Mansfield
Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union general in the American Civil War, mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam.-Early life:...
he took part in the artillery bombardment of Newport News
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
. In 1862 he resigned, but then he joined McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
in his siege of Yorktown
Battle of Yorktown (1862)
The Battle of Yorktown or Siege of Yorktown was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. Marching from Fort Monroe, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac encountered Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder's small Confederate force...
. As an ADC to Butterfield
Daniel Butterfield
Daniel Adams Butterfield was a New York businessman, a Union General in the American Civil War, and Assistant U.S. Treasurer in New York. He is credited with composing the bugle call Taps and was involved in the Black Friday gold scandal in the Grant administration...
he took part in the battles of Hanover Court House, of Seven Pines and of Fair Oaks
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen....
. He was at the Battle of Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, Savage's Station
Battle of Savage's Station
The Battle of Savage's Station took place on June 29, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as fourth of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. The main body of the Union Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River. Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Magruder pursued...
, and Malvern Hill
Battle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
. Vegesack was appointed colonel of the 20th New York Infantry, the German "Turner" regiment. He was given the command over the 3rd brigade in general Smith's
William Farrar Smith
William Farrar Smith , was a civil engineer, a member of the New York City police commission, and Union general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
division of the 6th Army Corps
VI Corps (ACW)
The VI Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Formation:The corps was organized as the Sixth Provisional Corps on May 18, 1862, by uniting Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin's Division, which had just arrived on the Virginia Peninsula, with Maj. Gen. William F. Smith's...
. He took part in the battles of Manassas and Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
. He captured the heights outside Jefferson City, Maryland. He displayed bravery at Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
. Vegesack was in the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
. In May 1863 Vegesack's regiment was a part of Hooker's
Joseph Hooker
Joseph Hooker was a career United States Army officer, achieving the rank of major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Although he served throughout the war, usually with distinction, Hooker is best remembered for his stunning defeat by Confederate General Robert E...
left wing in the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
.
Vegesack resigned from the Union Army on June 1, 1863 and returned to Sweden. On February 22, 1866, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated von Vegesack for award of the brevet grade of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 10, 1866.
Back in Sweden
After his return to Sweden, Vegesack was promoted and given the command over Västerbottens regementeVästerbottens regemente
Västerbottens regemente , designations I 19, I XIX, I 20 and I 20/Fo 61, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 2000...
in 1864. The next year he got married to Edla Amalia Sergel. In 1868 he was transferred to Hälsinge regemente
Hälsinge regemente
Hälsinge regemente , designations I 14, I 14/Fo 49 and I 14/Fo 21, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 1997...
. From 1874 till 1884 he was military commander of his native Gotland. Promoted to Major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in 1884, he was appointed commander of Sweden's 5th military district. Vegesack resigned from the military in 1888.
From 1879 till 1887 Vegesack sat in the upper house of the parliament of Sweden
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
as a delegate for Gotland. Ernst von Vegesack died January 12, 1903 at Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, and was buried at Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is a cemetery located in the Enskededalen district south of central Stockholm, Sweden...
in Stockholm].
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
While voluntarily serving as aide_de_camp, successfully and advantageously charged the position of troops under fire.