WI 15th Inf Co A. Residence: Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Born 18 May 1839 in Voss, Norway, a son of Anders Petersen Brandstad and Helen Maria. Civil War: Age 23. Sailor. Blue eyes, blond hair, fair complexion, 5’4½”. Enlisted for three years on 30 Aug 1862 at Milwaukee and mustered there the same day. Bounty $100. Private. A marine soldier. The first report after the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, incorrectly listed him among those killed on 20 Sep 1863. He had instead been captured by rebel forces. He was held in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, and in Andersonville Prison, Georgia, a total of 19 months. Paroled at Vicksburg, 17 Apr 1865. Discharged from the service 16 Jun 1865 at Madison, Wisconsin. Post war: Settled at Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Married 3 Feb 1870 to Sophia Karen Anderson, who was born 23 Mar 1851 in Hassel Island, Norway. She was a daughter of Peter Andreas Anderson Skamfer and Anna Martha Eliasdatter Haue. Ole and Sophia had ten children. Ole died at Grantsburg on 10 Feb 1906, and is buried in Grantsburg. His widow died 15 Jan 1929. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 76-15; red book vol 20, p14; blue book vol 20, p12) (Buslett p347) (Ager p291) (Ulvestad p273) (e-mail, Gloria Hanson, Daly City California gloriah@sfpl.lib.ca.us) “Brandstad, Ole” “Branstead, Ole”
