32nd Indiana Volunteers
Johann Heinrich (Henry) Eisenbeis, born April 8, 1826, in Müenchberg, Oberfranken, Germany; emigrated from Germany on the Atalanta and arrived in New York in May 1860 and eventually settled in Aurora, Indiana.
On August 24, 1861, Henry enlisted as a private in Company C, 32nd Indiana volunteers for a three-year term and was mustered into service for the Civil War on September 1, 1861.
First engagement was at Rowlett's Station near Munfordville, Kentucky, on December 17, 1861, where he was wounded in action by a cavalryman, sustaining a bullet wound to the front of his left leg just below the knee which broke both bones in his leg. The bullet remained in his leg for the rest of his life ... it gave him much trouble, and he was in and out of the hospital for treatment for many years. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and on February 13, 1864, was transferred to the 157th Company, 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps because of his leg wound. He was honorably discharged on August 24, 1864.
Following are excerpts taken from Indiana's German Sons - 32nd Volunteers Infantry -- Baptism of Fire: Rowlett's Station 1861 and are printed with permission of author, Michael A. Peake.
"August von Willich, the younger son of an aristocratic Prussian captain of Hussar cavalry, began his military career in 1822, at the age of twelve, entering Potsdam Military Academy as a cadet and completing studies three years later at the Royal Military Academy of Berlin. Graduating in 1828 as a second lieutenant, he gained valuable professional military experience at company command level in the 7th Royal Artillery Brigade and, later, as a Republican commander during the German Revolution of 1848. As one of the major leaders in the struggle for "Unity, Justice and Freedom," Willich skillfully directed a unit known as "Willich's Free Corps" until the overwhelming Prussian army defeated the revolutionaries in the battle of Kandern/Black Forest, April 20, 1848."
"Willich, like thousands of others, fled to Besancon, France and then Switzerland. .... Port authorities registered Willich's arrival at New York on February 19, 1853, noting his proclamation of occupation as "citizen". .... By 1858, Willich settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and became editor of a struggling German socialist newspaper, Der Cincinnati Republikaner, until the firing on Fort Sumter prompted the rediscovery of his life's calling."
"August Willich immediately enlisted as a private in the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment in April 1861, along with four companies he had personally organized. The regiment formed largely from the German citizens of Cincinnati and became Ohio's first ethnic unit."
.... "When the 9th Ohio fought the Conederates at Rich Mountain, West Virginia in July 1861, Willich had already been promoted to major. This battle established his reputation as a military instructor and demonstrated his effectiveness at commanding troops in the field. .... Offered a commission the following month from Governor Morton of Indiana, a newly promoted Colonel Willich organized the 32nd Indiana, modeled after Ohio's highly successful 1st German Regiment. He insured that the incoming recruits assembled, trained, and were well supplied."
.... "Hundreds of ethnic German volunteers from the region, drawn by Willich's reputation traveled to Indianapolis to join the regiment. Most were immigrants who had settled in the state, many with military backgrounds developed on the fields of Europe. Entire companies arrived from the cities of Evansville, Terre Haute, LaFayette and Madison. Also answering the call were a number of citizens from the German enclaves in or around the Ohio River towns of Jeffersonville, New Albany, and Clarksville. Kentuckians traveled from the Germantown District of Louisville and Ohio Germans, turned away in Cincinnati at the organization of the 9th Ohio, rushed to the Indiana call for recruits. A group of approximately thirty Germans from Tennessee, escaping the Confederate draft, made the trek north to enlist in the 1st German, 32nd Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry."
.... "By all accounts the 32nd Indiana made a splendid appearance on the evening of September 28, 1861, as it marched from Camp Murphy to the Indianapolis train depot. Waiting rail cars would transport the regiment to Madison on the Ohio River. Much to the astonishment of the crowd, Willich led his men on foot instead of horseback as was customary for regimental commanders. Five months of Federal service had not, as yet, produced payment. Willich was forced to rely on his limited personal finances, already strained beyond the point of sustaining the luxury of a horse. The commander's personal deprivation did not affect the attained efficiency of the 32nd."
.... "On Tuesday, October 1, the 32nd departed Madison, Indiana aboard the steamboat N.W. Thomas and arrived in Louisville, Kentucky early the following morning."
.... "Louisville's large German population was ecstatic over the arrival of Willich's regiment. At noon on their first day in the city they were the guests of honor at a large festive gathering, heavily provisioned with tables of food and kegs of beer, held at the Woodland Garden. Numerous other contending parties throughout the community, attempting to out-lavish the previous, honored the regiment during their short stay. Patriotic fervor ran high in the community resulting in eleven men joining the 32nd Indiana over the three-day period at Louisville."
.... "Sherman issued orders to the 32nd on October 15, 1861, directing Willich to march eight of ten companies from New Haven to the assembly area at Camp Nevin by way of Hodgensville."
.... "The following morning, December 17, 1861, dawned beautifully clear and grew into a balmy Spring-like day complete with crystal blue, sunny skies. .... Around midday a patrol from Captain Jacob Glass's Company B, engaged Rebel skirmishers a mile forward and on the right of the Union position in a woods near Rowlett's Station. Quickly advancing the remainder of the company to support his patrol, Glass directed the men to fire a volley at the party of enemy infantry causing them to immediately withdraw. He prudently retreated upon the sudden appearance of large Confederate infantry and cavalry forces."
"While Captain Glass stabilized the right, First Lieutenant Max Sachs, temporarily replacing an ailing Captain John L. Giegoldt, pushed forward the left by advancing his Company C south alongside the Bowling Green Pike. Sachs signaled a bugle alarm to the remainder of the regiment as his company successfully repulsed a sudden wild cavalry assault from a company of Terry's Texas Rangers. The general alarm was met with remarkable speed and enthusiasm."
.... "Chaplain Guner returned to the hospital after the funeral to administer to the comfort of the wounded. Since the facilities in Louisville already bulged with patients, a hospital was organized in Munfordville to accommodate the lingering illnesses carried forward from Camp Nevin and to treat those injured in the recent engagement. Gunter gave this account: "I visited all the wounded to-day. Number one has his ear shot off, number two is minus the bridge of his nose, four or five wounded in the arms, four or five in the legs, four in the chest, one in the abdomen, another has a quantity of buckshot in his side."
.... "Accolades came from the state of Indiana by way of Adjutant General Lazarus Noble on January 10. From Indianapolis Noble wrote, 'The Governor of Indiana, on behalf of the people of the State, tenders this tribute of thanks to Lt. Col. Von. Trebra and the companies of the 1st German, 32nd Regiment Indiana, Volunteers, who so gallantly and successfully defended themselves and repulsed the enemy when attacked at Rowlett's Station, near Green River, Kentucky, on the 17th of December, 1861. He has witnessed with pride the General Order of the General Commanding for the inscription of 'Rowlett's Station,' on the Regimental colors, and regards with confidence the future career of the regiment under Col. Willich and his brave officers.'"
"Victory at Rowlett's Station also provided the North with a much-needed respite from a string of humiliating defeats occurring nearly monthly in other theaters since the war began."
.... "Newspapers across the North lavished praise on the 32nd Indiana for the staggering blow laid on the Rebels. The German-American press, such as Louisville's Anzeiger and the Cincinnati Volksblatt, exalted the success for weeks."
The book can be ordered from Michael A. Peake, P.O. Box 152, Woodlawn, Tennessee 37191-8213 at a cost of $6.00, which includes shipping, or e-mail Mike at PEAKESTER1@aol.com
View an article about the monument to the 32nd Indiana Volunteers.
On August 24, 1861, Henry enlisted as a private in Company C, 32nd Indiana volunteers for a three-year term and was mustered into service for the Civil War on September 1, 1861.
First engagement was at Rowlett's Station near Munfordville, Kentucky, on December 17, 1861, where he was wounded in action by a cavalryman, sustaining a bullet wound to the front of his left leg just below the knee which broke both bones in his leg. The bullet remained in his leg for the rest of his life ... it gave him much trouble, and he was in and out of the hospital for treatment for many years. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and on February 13, 1864, was transferred to the 157th Company, 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps because of his leg wound. He was honorably discharged on August 24, 1864.
Following are excerpts taken from Indiana's German Sons - 32nd Volunteers Infantry -- Baptism of Fire: Rowlett's Station 1861 and are printed with permission of author, Michael A. Peake.
"August von Willich, the younger son of an aristocratic Prussian captain of Hussar cavalry, began his military career in 1822, at the age of twelve, entering Potsdam Military Academy as a cadet and completing studies three years later at the Royal Military Academy of Berlin. Graduating in 1828 as a second lieutenant, he gained valuable professional military experience at company command level in the 7th Royal Artillery Brigade and, later, as a Republican commander during the German Revolution of 1848. As one of the major leaders in the struggle for "Unity, Justice and Freedom," Willich skillfully directed a unit known as "Willich's Free Corps" until the overwhelming Prussian army defeated the revolutionaries in the battle of Kandern/Black Forest, April 20, 1848."
"Willich, like thousands of others, fled to Besancon, France and then Switzerland. .... Port authorities registered Willich's arrival at New York on February 19, 1853, noting his proclamation of occupation as "citizen". .... By 1858, Willich settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and became editor of a struggling German socialist newspaper, Der Cincinnati Republikaner, until the firing on Fort Sumter prompted the rediscovery of his life's calling."
"August Willich immediately enlisted as a private in the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment in April 1861, along with four companies he had personally organized. The regiment formed largely from the German citizens of Cincinnati and became Ohio's first ethnic unit."
.... "When the 9th Ohio fought the Conederates at Rich Mountain, West Virginia in July 1861, Willich had already been promoted to major. This battle established his reputation as a military instructor and demonstrated his effectiveness at commanding troops in the field. .... Offered a commission the following month from Governor Morton of Indiana, a newly promoted Colonel Willich organized the 32nd Indiana, modeled after Ohio's highly successful 1st German Regiment. He insured that the incoming recruits assembled, trained, and were well supplied." .... "Hundreds of ethnic German volunteers from the region, drawn by Willich's reputation traveled to Indianapolis to join the regiment. Most were immigrants who had settled in the state, many with military backgrounds developed on the fields of Europe. Entire companies arrived from the cities of Evansville, Terre Haute, LaFayette and Madison. Also answering the call were a number of citizens from the German enclaves in or around the Ohio River towns of Jeffersonville, New Albany, and Clarksville. Kentuckians traveled from the Germantown District of Louisville and Ohio Germans, turned away in Cincinnati at the organization of the 9th Ohio, rushed to the Indiana call for recruits. A group of approximately thirty Germans from Tennessee, escaping the Confederate draft, made the trek north to enlist in the 1st German, 32nd Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry." .... "By all accounts the 32nd Indiana made a splendid appearance on the evening of September 28, 1861, as it marched from Camp Murphy to the Indianapolis train depot. Waiting rail cars would transport the regiment to Madison on the Ohio River. Much to the astonishment of the crowd, Willich led his men on foot instead of horseback as was customary for regimental commanders. Five months of Federal service had not, as yet, produced payment. Willich was forced to rely on his limited personal finances, already strained beyond the point of sustaining the luxury of a horse. The commander's personal deprivation did not affect the attained efficiency of the 32nd."
.... "On Tuesday, October 1, the 32nd departed Madison, Indiana aboard the steamboat N.W. Thomas and arrived in Louisville, Kentucky early the following morning."
.... "Louisville's large German population was ecstatic over the arrival of Willich's regiment. At noon on their first day in the city they were the guests of honor at a large festive gathering, heavily provisioned with tables of food and kegs of beer, held at the Woodland Garden. Numerous other contending parties throughout the community, attempting to out-lavish the previous, honored the regiment during their short stay. Patriotic fervor ran high in the community resulting in eleven men joining the 32nd Indiana over the three-day period at Louisville."
.... "Sherman issued orders to the 32nd on October 15, 1861, directing Willich to march eight of ten companies from New Haven to the assembly area at Camp Nevin by way of Hodgensville."
.... "The following morning, December 17, 1861, dawned beautifully clear and grew into a balmy Spring-like day complete with crystal blue, sunny skies. .... Around midday a patrol from Captain Jacob Glass's Company B, engaged Rebel skirmishers a mile forward and on the right of the Union position in a woods near Rowlett's Station. Quickly advancing the remainder of the company to support his patrol, Glass directed the men to fire a volley at the party of enemy infantry causing them to immediately withdraw. He prudently retreated upon the sudden appearance of large Confederate infantry and cavalry forces."
"While Captain Glass stabilized the right, First Lieutenant Max Sachs, temporarily replacing an ailing Captain John L. Giegoldt, pushed forward the left by advancing his Company C south alongside the Bowling Green Pike. Sachs signaled a bugle alarm to the remainder of the regiment as his company successfully repulsed a sudden wild cavalry assault from a company of Terry's Texas Rangers. The general alarm was met with remarkable speed and enthusiasm."
.... "Chaplain Guner returned to the hospital after the funeral to administer to the comfort of the wounded. Since the facilities in Louisville already bulged with patients, a hospital was organized in Munfordville to accommodate the lingering illnesses carried forward from Camp Nevin and to treat those injured in the recent engagement. Gunter gave this account: "I visited all the wounded to-day. Number one has his ear shot off, number two is minus the bridge of his nose, four or five wounded in the arms, four or five in the legs, four in the chest, one in the abdomen, another has a quantity of buckshot in his side."
.... "Accolades came from the state of Indiana by way of Adjutant General Lazarus Noble on January 10. From Indianapolis Noble wrote, 'The Governor of Indiana, on behalf of the people of the State, tenders this tribute of thanks to Lt. Col. Von. Trebra and the companies of the 1st German, 32nd Regiment Indiana, Volunteers, who so gallantly and successfully defended themselves and repulsed the enemy when attacked at Rowlett's Station, near Green River, Kentucky, on the 17th of December, 1861. He has witnessed with pride the General Order of the General Commanding for the inscription of 'Rowlett's Station,' on the Regimental colors, and regards with confidence the future career of the regiment under Col. Willich and his brave officers.'"
"Victory at Rowlett's Station also provided the North with a much-needed respite from a string of humiliating defeats occurring nearly monthly in other theaters since the war began."
.... "Newspapers across the North lavished praise on the 32nd Indiana for the staggering blow laid on the Rebels. The German-American press, such as Louisville's Anzeiger and the Cincinnati Volksblatt, exalted the success for weeks."
The book can be ordered from Michael A. Peake, P.O. Box 152, Woodlawn, Tennessee 37191-8213 at a cost of $6.00, which includes shipping, or e-mail Mike at PEAKESTER1@aol.com
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