Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Germany, he emigrated to the United States in 1854 and went to work for the United States War Department. At the start of the Civil War, he joined the Union Army, helped organize the 74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry out of mostly German immigrants, and was commissioned its Colonel and commander on July 23, 1861. In August, 1862, he fought at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, was promoted Brigadier General on November 29, 1862 and commanded the German XI Corps at the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville. At the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863, he commanded a brigade and was wounded. In the fall of 1863, he was placed in command of a brigade in the 1st Division, XI Corps and participated Carolinas Campaign of 1864. He was in command of the District of Charleston when he received the Confederate's surrender on February 18, 1865. Due to his time of service in the swamps about Charleston, he contracted a form of tuberculosis which later resulted in his death.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Germany, he emigrated to the United States in 1854 and went to work for the United States War Department. At the start of the Civil War, he joined the Union Army, helped organize the 74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry out of mostly German immigrants, and was commissioned its Colonel and commander on July 23, 1861. In August, 1862, he fought at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, was promoted Brigadier General on November 29, 1862 and commanded the German XI Corps at the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville. At the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863, he commanded a brigade and was wounded. In the fall of 1863, he was placed in command of a brigade in the 1st Division, XI Corps and participated Carolinas Campaign of 1864. He was in command of the District of Charleston when he received the Confederate's surrender on February 18, 1865. Due to his time of service in the swamps about Charleston, he contracted a form of tuberculosis which later resulted in his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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