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)
