Civil War Confederate Army Officer. This native of Guntersblum, Hesse, Germany fought under six flags during his military career. At the age of eighteen he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Germany, before joining the French Foreign Legion where he fought in the Carlist War in Spain. In 1838 Spain's Queen Maria Christina decorated and knighted the young soldier for his bravery during the war. From there, he moved east to become an instructor for the Turkish army. While there he achieved the rank of Colonel, the highest ranking given to a non-Moslem. In the mid 1840s he arrived in North America, reportedly fleeing Germany because he had killed a man in a duel. Once again he became active in the military. He fought alongside General Zachary Taylor during the Mexican War. his service to his new country was awarded when, after the war, President Franklin Pierce appointed him collector of customs at Port Lavaca, Texas. In 1859 he organized a group of volunteers to fight in the Cortina Wars before joining the Texas Militia at the beginning of the Civil War. In 1863 he was made a Colonel just before being sent to Louisiana to lead Confederate troops in an attempt to block a Union invasion of Texas. In April of 1864 he was killed leading a dismounted charge at the Battle of Pleasant Hill.
Civil War Confederate Army Officer. This native of Guntersblum, Hesse, Germany fought under six flags during his military career. At the age of eighteen he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Germany, before joining the French Foreign Legion where he fought in the Carlist War in Spain. In 1838 Spain's Queen Maria Christina decorated and knighted the young soldier for his bravery during the war. From there, he moved east to become an instructor for the Turkish army. While there he achieved the rank of Colonel, the highest ranking given to a non-Moslem. In the mid 1840s he arrived in North America, reportedly fleeing Germany because he had killed a man in a duel. Once again he became active in the military. He fought alongside General Zachary Taylor during the Mexican War. his service to his new country was awarded when, after the war, President Franklin Pierce appointed him collector of customs at Port Lavaca, Texas. In 1859 he organized a group of volunteers to fight in the Cortina Wars before joining the Texas Militia at the beginning of the Civil War. In 1863 he was made a Colonel just before being sent to Louisiana to lead Confederate troops in an attempt to block a Union invasion of Texas. In April of 1864 he was killed leading a dismounted charge at the Battle of Pleasant Hill.
Bio by: Bigwoo
Advertisement
See more Buchel memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
