Department of Nebraska

Victor Vifquain Camp # 1

Omaha, Nebraska

(East central Nebraska)

Marc Witkvoski, Camp Commander

Victor Vifquain was born in Brussels, Belgium on May 20, 1836. He traveled to America in 1857, was married in Missouri and settled in Saline County, Nebraska. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the 53rd New York Infantry, the D'Epineuil Zouaves. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and made adjutant of the regiment because of prior military training in Belgium. The unit was mustered out in 1862.  He was then involved in a plot to kidnap Jefferson Davis. The plot was foiled, after a narrow escape from capture. He joined the 97th Illinois Infantry as was promoted to Major in 1863, Lt. Colonel in 1864 and brevetted Colonel in 1864. Served with valor at Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg and in Alabama. At Mobile he led the 97th IL in the assault at Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor and brevetted Brigadier General.

     He returned to Nebraska, was active in Politics, was appointed head of the American consulate in Barranquilla, Columbia by President Cleveland.  He also served as the Adjutant General in the early 1890's. Back in uniform during the Spanish-American War, serving in Cuba as Colonel of the 3rd Nebraska Volunteers.
     He was buried with full military honors in the Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln, NE after his death on Jan 7, 1907.
     A book has been published on his memoirs of 1862 by his great-great grandson Jeffery H. Smith, entitled "The 1862 Plot to Kidnap Jefferson Davis."