Civil War Union Major General, Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Szeged, Hungary, he moved to New York City in 1859 and began working for the " Deutsche illustrirte Familienblatter," an illustrated German weekly. When the War began, he helped organize the 8th New York Volunteer Infantry and became the regiment's Colonel. He commanded the regiment in the first battle of Manassas and was promoted Brigadier General in November, 1861. In 1862, he commanded a division at the second battle of Manassas and took charge of the Union cavalry at Fairfax in March, 1863. He was transferred to the Department of West Virginia, in March, 1864, as General Franz Sigel's chief of cavalry and chief of staff. At the Battle of Piedmont, June 5, 1864, after repelling two Confederate attacks, General Stahel played a conspicuous role in the victory. He personally led his dismounted troopers in support the infantry, was hit by a bullet in the left shoulder, then led his mounted men in the decisive charge which routed the Confederates. Twenty-nine years later, in November, 1893, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in this battle. Due to his wounds, he was temporarily relieved of his command and served on court martial boards until he resigned in February 1865, at the rank of Major General. After the War, he worked in the US Consular Service in Japan and China for 20 years.
Civil War Union Major General, Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Szeged, Hungary, he moved to New York City in 1859 and began working for the " Deutsche illustrirte Familienblatter," an illustrated German weekly. When the War began, he helped organize the 8th New York Volunteer Infantry and became the regiment's Colonel. He commanded the regiment in the first battle of Manassas and was promoted Brigadier General in November, 1861. In 1862, he commanded a division at the second battle of Manassas and took charge of the Union cavalry at Fairfax in March, 1863. He was transferred to the Department of West Virginia, in March, 1864, as General Franz Sigel's chief of cavalry and chief of staff. At the Battle of Piedmont, June 5, 1864, after repelling two Confederate attacks, General Stahel played a conspicuous role in the victory. He personally led his dismounted troopers in support the infantry, was hit by a bullet in the left shoulder, then led his mounted men in the decisive charge which routed the Confederates. Twenty-nine years later, in November, 1893, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in this battle. Due to his wounds, he was temporarily relieved of his command and served on court martial boards until he resigned in February 1865, at the rank of Major General. After the War, he worked in the US Consular Service in Japan and China for 20 years.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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