Explore the Background of this artwork, Statue of Hans Christian Heg.
Hans Christian Heg (1829-1863) was a Norwegian American abolitionist, journalist, anti-slavery activist, politician and soldier.  He was born at Haugestad in the community of Lierbyen in Lier, Buskerud, Norway, where his father ran an inn. His family emigrated to the US in 1840, and settled at Muskego Settlement, Wisconsin. After two years as a Forty-Niner in California following the California Gold Rush, Heg returned to settle in Wisconsin.
Heg is best known as the colonel who commanded the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment on the Union side in the American Civil War. He died of the wounds he received at the Battle of Chickamauga.  A 10 ft (3.0 m) high pyramid of 8 in (20 cm) shells at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park marks the site on the battlefield where Heg was mortally wounded.
Norway Lierbyen California Gold Rush Union abolitionist Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Battle of Chickamauga Norwegian American Hans Christian Heg Buskerud Lier Muskego American Civil War 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment Wisconsin Forty-Niner Muskego Settlement, Wisconsin