Lieut. Col. K. K. Jones, 15th Wisconsin Regiment

A recent local history article told about a monument dedicated to Kiler K. Jones who founded Manitowoc’s first public library. Local residents and history buffs will find his time in the American Civil War of interest.

In 1857, K. K. Jones moved his family from Manitowoc to a farm “The Pines” in Ellington Twp. near Quincy, Illinois, on the Mississippi River and the seat of Adams County, about 100 miles west of the state capitol, Springfield. He was a generous, civic-minded businessman, freely contributing to many public institutions and charities.

K. K. Jones was a member of the Republican Party and a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War, Jones came up with the idea of organizing an all-Scandinavian volunteer infantry regiment of 1,000 men for the Union Army, comprised mostly of Norwegian, Swedish and Danish immigrants from Wisconsin and Illinois.

Although not a Norwegian himself, his wife was. She assured him that her countrymen would volunteer in numbers sufficient to fill up a regiment in defense of their adopted country.

The plan was favorably received by Wis. Gov. Alexander W. Randall in Madison, and for his efforts, Jones, who enlisted for three years, was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Regiment on September 26, 1861. At Jones’ request, Hans Christian Heg, a Norwegian immigrant from Waterford, Racine County, was appointed Colonel of the Regiment.

Jones resigned as editor of his agricultural column in the Quincy Whig & Republican and began the work of enlisting companies for the Scandinavian Regiment. On October 16, 1861, he arrived by boat in Manitowoc and was welcomed by friends in his old home.

Society Nora of Chicago flag presented to the Scandinavian Regiment on March 1, 1862
*Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum*

A “Grand Mass Meeting” of the Scandinavians of Manitowoc County was held at Clark’s Mills to recruit volunteers for companies in the regiment. The Manitowoc Pilot urged Norsemen to turn out “and show that you, too, are ready and willing to sustain the Constitution and the Laws!”

Jones organized meetings of Scandinavians “in nearly every town in the county,” assisted by Charles Gustaveson, a Swedish farmer from Manitowoc Rapids with military experience, later serving as Capt. of Co. F, known as “K. K.’s Protectors,” in the Regiment.

The Scandinavian Regiment was mustered into service at Camp Randall, Madison, on Feb. 14, 1862. While in camp, before Col. Heg arrived, the soldiers were drilled by Lieut. Col. Jones.

On March 1, 1862, one day before the Regiment left for the Western theatre, Lieut. Col. K. K. Jones’ commission was abruptly revoked by Wis. Gov. Louis Harvey. Jones was mustered out of service the following day by order of the War Department, without notice, a hearing or trial. Capt. David McKee of the Second Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers (from Lancaster, Wisconsin) replaced him.

K. K. Jones returned to his home on the farm, disgraced and dishonored. On June 9, 1862, he

wrote a brief statement, with accompanying documents, “to vindicate [his] reputation as a soldier, and honor as a man.” His statement was printed in Manitowoc, Quincy and Chicago papers. A request, signed by a majority of members of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly, was sent to the War Department to restore Lieut. Col. Jones to his rank and command.

Despite K. K. Jones’ request for “justice and fair play” from military authorities, a strong Wisconsin legislative endorsement, and a letter signed by nearly 700 noncommissioned officers and privates of the regiment, expressing confidence in him as their officer, nothing happened.

In 1865, after three years, the 15th Regiment was mustered out of service. Arriving in Chicago, on its way home, a soldiers’ reception was held. K. K. Jones attended and was called on to speak. Jones told the soldiers he never doubted they “would do their duty” and acknowledged the Regiment’s condemnation of the “false, contemptible and slanderous charges” against him.

Kiler K. Jones and the 15th Wisconsin Regiment

Four Monuments were Dedicated to Manitowoc Civic Leaders by the Knights of Pythias in 1926