Friedrich Karl Reifert

Narrative:

      Friedrich Karl Reifert was born on 30 Jun 1838 in Zeitz, Kingdom of Hanover.^4,5,6
     He was baptized on 15 Jul 1838 in Evangelische Kirche, Zeitz, Kingdom of Hanover, with Johann August Wundrack, potter, Mrs. Johanne widowed Waisenhaus, remarried to Mr. Moser, Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Kunze, cooper, and Mrs. Johanne Magdalene, wife of Georg Friedrich Rohbock, carriage driver, as godparents.¹
     Friedrich arrived in New York on 8 Aug 1854, having departed Bremen, according to his Declaration of Intention for citizenship. However, there must be some error in those details, as no ship is recorded as arriving in New York from Bremen that day. His entry has not been found on the passenger lists for any ships arriving in New York near that date.¹²
     In the United States he used the name Charles Friedrich.^2,3,13
     He was a barber in 1860.¹⁴
     He filed a Declaration of Intention to become a U.S. citizen 11 Oct 1859 in Huntington Co., stating he was 21 years old. He completed the citizenship process by 1870.^12,15
     Charles appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, enumerated 5 Jun 1860, one of seven tradesmen apparently boarding at a hotel operated by John G. Ager and his family.¹⁶
     Charles married first Hellen Kuhlman, daughter of Ernst Heinrich Kuhlmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Fenncker, on 28 Mar 1861 in Huntington Co., Indiana.⁷
     Charles enrolled in the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment 24 Aug 1861, at Indianapolis, among the first recruits to that regiment. The 32nd was also known as the 1st German regiment because so many of its members were of German descent. Charles was assigned to Co. A as a corporal. He was promoted to sergeant, then to 1st. sergeant, and to sergeant major by 4 Nov 1862, when he was transferred to field and staff.¹⁷ He was discharged 29 Apr 1863 to accept appointment as a 2nd lieutenant in Co. K.¹⁸ He was promoted to 1st. lieutenant 8 Nov 1863.¹⁹
     Charles registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated in Jul 1863, while living in Huntington Co., Indiana, and noting he had served in the 32 Indiana Infantry.²⁰
     The regiment's major engagements included the Battle of Rowlett's Station, the Battle of Shiloh, and Battle of Stones River during 1861 and 1862. It also participated in the Tullahoma Campaign, the Chickamauga Campaign, and the Chattanooga Campaign in 1863, and in numerous battles during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864. Charles was wounded in the battle of Dallas, Georgia, an engagement in that campaign.^21,22 He mustered out at the end of his three-year enlistment, on 7 Sep 1864, at Indianapolis.¹⁹
     His wife apparently died before 1866.^23,24,25
     Charles married second Melissa Fetters, daughter of Jacob Fetters and Catharine [surname unknown], on 17 Apr 1866 in Huntington Co., Indiana, with Rev. John Gloss offciating.^8,9
     Charles and Melissa appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, enumerated 28 Jun 1870, reporting no real estate or personal estate. Their children Minnie and Francis were listed as living with them, as was Eliza Fetters, apparently a relative of hers.²⁶
     He was a clerk in a grocery store by 1870.²⁷
     Charles died on 14 Nov 1877 in Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, at age 39.¹⁰ He was buried on 16 Nov 1877.¹¹