John Tyler Rice (May 24, 1839 – April 8, 1925) was an American farmer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer.
[1] Shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War, Rice volunteered for service in the Union Army.
[2] The 15th Wisconsin Infantry was known as the "Scandinavian Regiment" due to the large number of Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish immigrants serving in the ranks.
[2] The regiment then was sent into central Kentucky, as one of the units responding to Confederate general Braxton Bragg's Heartland Offensive.
On the first day at Chickamauga, miscommunication led to the 15th Wisconsin coming under friendly fire, and the regiment was scattered by the confusion.
Despite the losses, the 15th Wisconsin reassembled and fought admirably on the second day of the battle, with Rice commanding Company C. But the Union line broke, leaving the 15th Wisconsin as one of the last remaining regiments holding their position; many were captured as they eventually left the field.
He and the other remaining officers worked to reassemble the company at Chattanooga, where they occupied trenches to deter Confederate counterattack, and suffered from lack of food and supplies.
East Tennessee was an exceptionally unpleasant campaign for the 15th Wisconsin, with frequent marching, poor weather, and few provisions.