germans at gettysburg

ECWRT ‘04 Gannon University

Die Deutschen im Die Deutschen im amerikanischen Bürgerkriegeamerikanischen Bürgerkriege

als Gettysburgals Gettysburg

Stephen T. FrezzaElectrical & Computer EngrGannon [email protected]

©2004 Stephen T. Frezza 1


Sezessionskrieg 1861-Sezessionskrieg 1861-18651865

The Story of Germans The Story of Germans in The War...in The War...

The Story of The The Story of The WarWar

– 216,000 German-born 216,000 German-born Union SoldiersUnion Soldiers

– Nearly every Union Army Nearly every Union Army CorpsCorps

– Every Major Campaign & Every Major Campaign & BattleBattle Pvt. Alexander Zang, c. 1862



German Americans in German Americans in ACWACW

• Most marked events in the history Most marked events in the history of German-Americansof German-Americans

• Loyal to the Union Loyal to the Union • Virtually Virtually nono German... German...

– promoters of successionpromoters of succession– slaveholdersslaveholders

• Provided significantly more Provided significantly more volunteers than other ethnic volunteers than other ethnic groupsgroups– double the rate of other groupsdouble the rate of other groups



German-Born German-Born AmericansAmericans

10% of Union Army:10% of Union Army:– 2,150,000 Union Soldiers (White)2,150,000 Union Soldiers (White)– 216,000 German-born 216,000 German-born (vs. 144,000 Irish)(vs. 144,000 Irish)

~ 300,000 American-born~ 300,000 American-born

~ 250,000 ‘Old Germans’~ 250,000 ‘Old Germans’

High volunteer rate:High volunteer rate:Northern population of 1.6 million (1860-64)Northern population of 1.6 million (1860-64)

~ 72,000 in rebellious states~ 72,000 in rebellious states



German EnlisteesGerman Enlistees• Considered / emigrated Considered / emigrated

from then-nations of: from then-nations of: – DenmarkDenmark– AustriaAustria– SwitzerlandSwitzerland– BelgiumBelgium– LuxembourgLuxembourg– AlsaceAlsace– HollandHolland– CanadaCanada

Pvt. Conrad HoltzhaurCo A 2nd MI Inf

DOW Malvern Hill



36%

20%20%

12%11%11%

14%14%

6.2%6.2%

9.2%9.2%

7.7%7.7%8.4%

6.5%

6.3%6.3%

6.2%6.2%

Where they EnlistedWhere they Enlisted


German RegimentsGerman Regiments• New York:New York:

77thth Steuben RiflesSteuben Rifles von Schackvon Schack

88thth Blenker, Stahel, WutschelBlenker, Stahel, Wutschel

2020thth Turner RegimentTurner RegimentWebberWebber

2929thth Astor RiflesAstor Rifles von Steinwehrvon Steinwehr

4141stst DeKalb RegimentDeKalb Regiment von Gilsavon Gilsa

4545thth von Amsbergvon Amsberg

4646thth von Rosa, Gerhardvon Rosa, Gerhard

5252ndnd Sigel RiflesSigel Rifles FreudenbergFreudenberg

5454thth GellmannGellmann

103103rdrd von Egloffstein, Ringgold, Heinevon Egloffstein, Ringgold, Heine

44thth Cav Cav DickelDickel

Numerous batteriesNumerous batteries Schirmer, Dilger, Wiedrich, Schirmer, Dilger, Wiedrich, Sturmfels...Sturmfels...

9.2%9.2%

37,000



German RegimentsGerman Regiments• Pennsylvania:Pennsylvania:

– 2727thth Infantry Infantry– 7373rdrd Infantry Infantry– 7474thth Infantry Infantry– 7575thth Infantry Infantry

• New JerseyNew Jersey– 33rdrd Cavalry Cavalry– A, 1A, 1stst NJ Light Artillery NJ Light Artillery

• OhioOhio– 99thth (Turner) Infantry (Turner) Infantry– 2828thth Infantry Infantry– 3737thth Infantry Infantry– 107107thth Infantry Infantry– 33rdrd Cavalry Cavalry

• WisconsinWisconsin– 99thth Infantry Infantry– 2626thth Infantry Infantry– 4545thth Infantry Infantry– 22ndnd Artillery Artillery

6.3%6.3%7.7%7.7%

12%

20%20%



German RegimentsGerman Regiments• Missouri:Missouri:

– 11stst Infantry Infantry– 22ndnd Infantry Infantry– 33rdrd Infantry Infantry– 44thth Infantry Infantry– 55thth Infantry Infantry– 1212thth Infantry Infantry– 1515thth Infantry Infantry

(Swiss)(Swiss)– 1717thth Infantry Infantry

(Turner)(Turner)

• IllinoisIllinois– 4343rdrd Infantry Infantry– 8282ndnd Infantry Infantry

• IndianaIndiana– 3232ndnd Infantry Infantry

36%8.4%

4.6%4.6%



Half-German RegimentsHalf-German Regiments• New York:New York: 39th, 58th, 68th, 119th39th, 58th, 68th, 119th

• Pennsylvania:Pennsylvania: 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 56th, 65th, 79th, 15th, 16th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 56th, 65th, 79th, 88th, 96th, 98th88th, 96th, 98th

• Ohio:Ohio: 7th, 47th, 58th, 74th, 106th, 108th, 1657th, 47th, 58th, 74th, 106th, 108th, 165thth, , 2020thth Battery Battery

• Missouri:Missouri: 1st,39th, 40th, 41st, 4th Cav1st,39th, 40th, 41st, 4th Cav

• Illinois:Illinois: 9th, 24th, 279th, 24th, 27thth, 36th, 44th, 45th, 57th, , 36th, 44th, 45th, 57th, 58th, 13th Cav, 16th Cav58th, 13th Cav, 16th Cav



Half-German RegimentsHalf-German Regiments• Indiana:Indiana: 24th, 136th24th, 136th

• Minnesota:Minnesota: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th,

• TexasTexas: 1st (Loyal) : 1st (Loyal)

• KansasKansas: 1st, 2nd: 1st, 2nd

• NebraskaNebraska: 1st Cav: 1st Cav

• KentuckyKentucky: 5th, 6th, 2nd Cav : 5th, 6th, 2nd Cav

• MarylandMaryland: 5th: 5th



Why they enlistedWhy they enlisted• Strongly influenced by the Strongly influenced by the

ideals of the 1848 revolutionideals of the 1848 revolution

UnionUnion• Value and importance of Value and importance of

Republican IdealsRepublican Ideals

SlaverySlavery

““All für Lincoln und Sie Freiheit”All für Lincoln und Sie Freiheit” • FreedomFreedom



The War - 1861The War - 1861

1st Bull Run 1st Bull Run Camp JacksonCamp Jackson

Wilson’s CreekWilson’s CreekPea RidgePea Ridge

Franz SigelFranz Sigel


Early BlowsEarly Blows• May: Saving St. LouisMay: Saving St. Louis

– German Loyalist rush to flagGerman Loyalist rush to flag– Armory Held, Camp Jackson takenArmory Held, Camp Jackson taken

• July: 1st Bull RunJuly: 1st Bull Run– Blenker’s German Division Blenker’s German Division

• held in reserveheld in reserve• mistaken For U.S. Regularsmistaken For U.S. Regulars

• Wilson’s CreekWilson’s Creek• Pea RidgePea Ridge Louis Blenker



South-West Texas: South-West Texas: Little GermanyLittle Germany

• 1/5 of all whites - over 22,000 German-1/5 of all whites - over 22,000 German-bornborn

• Pro-Union, anti-slave, German-speaking Pro-Union, anti-slave, German-speaking communitiescommunities

• February - Twiggs surrenders, February - Twiggs surrenders, Commanches attackCommanches attack

• August - Banishment Law, Law of August - Banishment Law, Law of ConfiscationConfiscation– Moved, or Pro-Union property confiscatedMoved, or Pro-Union property confiscated

Four years of Murder, Man-hunts, Four years of Murder, Man-hunts, Imprisonments, LynchingImprisonments, Lynching




Henry & DonelsonHenry & Donelson

Stones RiverStones River

CorinthCorinthShilohShiloh

Cross KeysCross KeysBull Run Bull Run Antietam Antietam

Fredricksburg Fredricksburg

August Willich

Seven Days Seven Days



VicksburgVicksburg

ChickamaugaChickamauga

Chancellorsville Chancellorsville

Gettysburg Gettysburg

Chattanooga Chattanooga

Peter OsterhausPeter Osterhaus


The Turning PointsThe Turning PointsWestWest

• VicksburgVicksburg• TullahomaTullahoma• ChickamaugaChickamauga• ChattanoogaChattanooga

EastEast

• ChancellorsvChancellorsvilleille

• Brandy Brandy StationStation

• GettysburgGettysburg• Mine RunMine Run

Carl Schurz

ChancellorsvilleChancellorsville



From Chancellorsville to From Chancellorsville to GettysburgGettysburg

Oliver O. HowardOliver O. Howard• Disliked 11Disliked 11thth Corps Corps

CommanderCommander• New commanders New commanders

(e.g., Barlow in 3(e.g., Barlow in 3rdrd Division)Division)

• Questionable Questionable assignments of assignments of Smith & Coster as Smith & Coster as Brigade Brigade CommandersCommanders

Unjustified CriticismUnjustified Criticism

• ““Measureless Measureless Abuse”Abuse”

• Coverup of German Coverup of German heroicsheroics

• Marched north to Marched north to shed their shed their dishonorable dishonorable reputation.reputation.



The First DayThe First DayJuly 1, 1863: 9:30 AMJuly 1, 1863: 9:30 AM

St. Joseph’s College, Emmitsburg MarylandSt. Joseph’s College, Emmitsburg Maryland

• Buford’s Cavalry & 1Buford’s Cavalry & 1stst Corps stop Heth Corps stop Heth• Reynolds (wing commander) Killed Reynolds (wing commander) Killed • 10:45 AM10:45 AM: Howard takes Army : Howard takes Army

Command, Schurz 11Command, Schurz 11thth Corps Corps• 2:30 PM2:30 PM: Schurz ordered to take 5,100 : Schurz ordered to take 5,100

Men of 1Men of 1stst & 3 & 3rdrd Division north to protect Division north to protect 11stst Corp’s flank Corp’s flank

• 3:00 PM3:00 PM: 5,600 men of Early’s and : 5,600 men of Early’s and Rodes’ divisions concentrate on Union Rodes’ divisions concentrate on Union rightright



Threats to the Union RightThreats to the Union Right

BarlowBarlowSchimmel-Schimmel-

fenningfenning

Early’s Early’s

Division

Division

Rodes’s Rodes’s

DivisionDivision

Het

h &

Het

h &

Pet

tigr

ewP

etti

grew

Rod

es’s

Rod

es’s

D

ivisi

on

Div

ision

11 stst C

orp

s C

orp

s

Devin

’sD

evin’s

Cavalry

Cavalry

Schurz’s Schurz’s Intent:Intent:


ToToGettysburg Gettysburg

& & Cemetery HillCemetery Hill

ECWRT ‘04 Gannon University ©2004 Stephen T. Frezza 26

2:45 PM: July 12:45 PM: July 1stst

Barlow & Schimmelfennig Barlow & Schimmelfennig DeployDeploy

45th NY

157th NY 82nd ILL

74th PA

68th NY

61st OH

107th OH 25th OH

153rd PA54th NY

75th OH17th CON

13th NYLight

1st OHDilger

4th US Batt. G

68th NY

BarlowBarlow

von Gilsavon Gilsa

AmesAmes

von Amsbergvon Amsberg

Early’s Early’s

Division

Division

Rodes’s Rodes’s

DivisionDivision

Rod

es’s

Rod

es’s

Div

ision

Div

ision

SchimmelfennigSchimmelfennig


3:15 PM3:15 PM

Barlow Falls on Barlow Falls on Blocher KnollBlocher Knoll

45th NY

157th NY 82nd ILL

74th PA

68th NY

61st OH

107th OH 25th OH

153rd PA54th NY

75th OH17th CON

13th NYLight

1st OHDilger

4th US Batt. G

68th NY

BarlowBarlow

von Gilsavon Gilsa

AmesAmes


DolesDoles(Rodes)(Rodes)

GordonGordon(Early)(Early)

HaysHays(Early)(Early)

KrzyzanowskiKrzyzanowski


3:30-4PM3:30-4PM:: Forlorn Forlorn HopesHopesKrzyanowski’s Krzyanowski’s BrigadeBrigade157157thth New York New York

45th NY

157th NY 82nd ILL

13th NYLight

1st OHDilger

33rdrd Division Divisionvon Gilsavon Gilsa


DolesDoles(Rodes)(Rodes)

GordonGordon(Early)(Early)

HaysHays(Early)(Early)

KrzyzanowskiKrzyzanowski AveryAvery(Early)(Early)


Germans on Germans on The First DayThe First Day

• Ordered into an impossible situationOrdered into an impossible situation• Position untenable from the start Position untenable from the start

(Barlow’s deployment)(Barlow’s deployment)• Fought bravely until overwhelmedFought bravely until overwhelmed• Horrendous CasualtiesHorrendous Casualties

– Krzyzanowski’s Brigade – every regiment engaged Krzyzanowski’s Brigade – every regiment engaged took over 50% casualtiestook over 50% casualties

– 127127thth New York collapsed after taking 75% casualties New York collapsed after taking 75% casualties

• 82nd Illinois – last out of Gettysburg82nd Illinois – last out of Gettysburg• Posted to defend North- and East Posted to defend North- and East

Cemetery HillCemetery Hill



Sunset: 2Sunset: 2ndnd July 1863 July 1863Cemetery RidgeCemetery Ridge

111th NY125th NY

126th NY

1st MN

BarksdaleBarksdale

WilcoxWilcox

2121stst Miss Miss

WoffordWofford

Watson’s

Weikert’sWeikert’sWoodsWoods

39th NY


Bias Against GermansBias Against Germans The Second Day’s RecordThe Second Day’s Record

• 11stst Minnesota loses 170 of 250 engaged Minnesota loses 170 of 250 engaged– Staves the advance of 1000 rebelsStaves the advance of 1000 rebels

• Fassitt asks Hildebrand to advanceFassitt asks Hildebrand to advance– Gets Medal of Honor for initiativeGets Medal of Honor for initiative

• 3939thth New York retakes Watson’s Battery New York retakes Watson’s Battery– 75+ Casualties (25%) in 15 Minutes 75+ Casualties (25%) in 15 Minutes – Never recognized for recapturing four gunsNever recognized for recapturing four guns

• 2121stst Mississippi retreats, gives up guns Mississippi retreats, gives up guns– claim they exchanged only “long range” volleysclaim they exchanged only “long range” volleys



Dusk: 2Dusk: 2ndnd July 1863 July 1863

East Cemetery HillEast Cemetery Hill

Taneytown R

d

BrickyardLane

HaysHays

HokeHoke

Culp’s Hill

Baltimore Pike

68th N

Y54

th NY

41st N

Y33

rd Mas

s

75th O

H17

th Con

n25th O

H15

3rd P

A107t

h OH

6th NC21st NC 57 th NC

Ricke

tts

Wie

dric

h Car

roll

Schu

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&

Kry

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Du Sollst est…!Du Sollst est…!



German ParticipationGerman Participation

• SignificantSignificant– 11stst Day – North of Day – North of

GettysburgGettysburg– 11stst Day – On Cemetery Day – On Cemetery

HillHill– 22ndnd Day – East Day – East


GettysburgGettysburg

Wadsworth Knoll Wadsworth Knoll – Overlooking East Overlooking East




AtlantaAtlanta

Petersburg Petersburg

Kennesaw Kennesaw March to the SeaMarch to the Sea

Spottsylvania Spottsylvania Wilderness Wilderness

Nashville Nashville


The Long YearThe Long YearWestWest

• ResecaReseca• Kennesaw Kennesaw

MountainMountain• AtlantaAtlanta• March to the SeaMarch to the Sea

• FranklinFranklin• NashvilleNashville

EastEast

• WildernessWilderness• SpottsylvaniaSpottsylvania• Cold HarborCold Harbor• MonocacyMonocacy• PetersburgPetersburg• Valley Valley

CampaignCampaign



1865: The End1865: The EndSouthSouth

• GoldsboroGoldsboro• BentonvilleBentonville

EastEast

• PetersburPetersburgg

• Saylors Saylors CreekCreek

• AppomatoAppomatoxx



SummarySummary• Germans Germans

– Played a significant rolePlayed a significant role– Helped train the Union ArmyHelped train the Union Army– Received little recognitionReceived little recognition– Suffered for their Union SentimentsSuffered for their Union Sentiments


germans at gettysburg

Education