Asgrim Knutson Skaro
Asgrim Knutson Skaro was a Norwegian immigrant to the United States, a founding settler of the city of St. Peter, Minnesota, the County Treasurer of Nicollet County, Minnesota, and a veteran of both the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.
Early life
Asgrim Knutson Skaro was born on June 4, 1829 in Hallingdal, Buskerud in the Kingdom of Norway to Knud Ellingsen Skaro and Guro Eriksdatter. At the age of 19 Skaro emigrated to the United States in 1846 on the Brig ship "Tricolor" out of Christiania. Skaro served in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War at Fort Snelling in Saint Paul, Minnesota from 1847-1852. Skaro eventually settled the area of what is now St. Peter, Minnesota in 1852 alongside two fellow Norwegians, the brothers Matthias Evenson and Peder "Per" Evenson. Skaro was elected as the Treasurer of Nicollet County, Minnesota from 1858-1861. He was also a member of Lodge Number 12 of the Odd Fellows in St. Peter. In July 1858 around 50 men from St. Peter and the surrounding area formed a militia named the "St. Peter Guards" and elected Skaro as their Captain.American Civil War
2nd Minnesota Infantry Regiment
At the outbreak of the American Civil War Skaro formed his militia company of the St. Peter Guards to volunteer for the Union Army, Skaro's company would compose the ranks of Company E of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry Regiment. Skaro was elected as the Captain of Company E of the 2nd Minnesota alongside Eugene Saint Julien Cox who was elected as Skaro's Lieutenant. Company E was composed of volunteers primarily from Nicollet County, Brown County, and Le Sueur County, Minnesota. Skaro fought with the 2nd Minnesota until March 20, 1862, when he was forced to resign his officer's commission due to health reasons. Skaro returned to St. Peter, Minnesota until later re-joining the Army during the outbreak of the Dakota War of 1862.9th Minnesota Infantry Regiment
On September 23, 1862, Skaro was mustered in as the Captain of Company D of the 9th Minnesota Infantry Regiment. Skaro participated in the Dakota War of 1862 on the Minnesota frontier which began in mid-August, 1862 following the Acton Incident and the Attack at the Lower Sioux Agency. Companies of the 9th Minnesota were organized at Camp Release, before being placed on guard duty throughout the state. Skaro's Company D was present as the Provost Guard during the hangings of the 38 Dakota people at Mankato, Minnesota on December 23, 1862.In the autumn of 1863 the 9th Minnesota was sent to St. Louis, Missouri where it was incorporated into the Department of the Missouri. The 9th Minnesota was later transferred to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the XVI Corps in the Army of the Tennessee. The 9th Minnesota would fight in Forrest's Defense of Mississippi, the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, the Battle of Tupelo, Price's Raid, the Battle of Westport, and the Battle of Nashville among others.