Civil War Union Army Officer. Born George Karl Heinrich Wilhelm von Amsburg in Hanover, Germany, he was commissioned as Major of the 5th New York State Militia on May 1, 1861, serving until honorably mustered out on August 7, 1861. He was then commissioned on October 7, 1861 as Colonel and commander of the 45th New York Volunteer Infantry, who were known as the "5th German Rifles" due to the fact that it was nearly entirely composed of men who immigrated from the Germanic States. For the duration of his service he would alternate between commanding his regiment and commanding his brigade, most notably on the 1st Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 1863), when the death of Major General John F. Reynolds shifted much of the command structure of the I and XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac. His service in the field damaged Colonel von Amsburg's health, and he was discharged due to disability on January 22, 1864.
Civil War Union Army Officer. Born George Karl Heinrich Wilhelm von Amsburg in Hanover, Germany, he was commissioned as Major of the 5th New York State Militia on May 1, 1861, serving until honorably mustered out on August 7, 1861. He was then commissioned on October 7, 1861 as Colonel and commander of the 45th New York Volunteer Infantry, who were known as the "5th German Rifles" due to the fact that it was nearly entirely composed of men who immigrated from the Germanic States. For the duration of his service he would alternate between commanding his regiment and commanding his brigade, most notably on the 1st Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 1863), when the death of Major General John F. Reynolds shifted much of the command structure of the I and XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac. His service in the field damaged Colonel von Amsburg's health, and he was discharged due to disability on January 22, 1864.
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COL 45TH REGT. NY VOLS
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