46th New York Infantry - Fremont Rifles

Item CDV-11235

Description

46th New York Infantry - Fremont Rifles
Germain Metternich
Lieutenant Colonel
Frontmark: New York

When Metternich emigrated to the United States in 1850 he settled in New York. Metternich was engaged with the set-up of a political active Turnerschaft. Under his decisive influence the "Socialistischer Turnverein von New-York“ socialistic Turnverein of New-York founded in 1848 turned political. In the United States Metternich belonged to the influential members of the Forty-Eighters.

When the American Civil War started in 1861 Metternich enlisted in the Union Army. He served in the 46 New York Infantry, consisting mostly of German immigrants under Colonel Rudolph Rosa, as lieutenant colonel. In the early summer 1862 Metternich was participating in military operations versus Fort Pulaski located between Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia.  When he tried to settle a quarrel among drunken soldiers, a tumbling soldier with a bayonet rammed him down and hit his throat. Metternich died due to this injury.

Source:  Wikipedia