SIMONSON, Thomas

WI 22nd Inf Co B. From Orfordville, Newark, Rock County, Wisconsin. “Thomas Simonsen Traasviken” was born in Nummedal, Norway. Came to America to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1861. Civil War: Age 20. Farmer. Unmarried. Blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, 5’7½”. Enlisted for three years on 14 Aug 1862 at Beloit, Wisconsin. Mustered 1 Sep 1862 at Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. Private. Was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Franklin and Thompson Station. Taken prisoner at Thompson Station on 5 Mar 1863 and held at Libby prison, Richmond, Virginia. Exchanged. “Never absent from the command.” Mustered out before 2 Jul 1865. Post war: Moved to Agee, Holt County, Nebraska. Sources: (WHS red book vol 27) (His letter, translated by Dorothy Simonson Sanders, 1986, publ. in “Numedalslagets Aarbog”, p56)