Louis Blenker

Louis Blenker (1812-63) was a German-American soldier, born at Worms, Germany. He was one of the leaders of the German Revolutionary party of 1848, and as commander of the Freischaren (Free Corps) took Ludwigshafen (May 10, 1846), occupied the city of Worms, and made an unsuccessful attack on Landau. When the Prussian troops entered the Palatinate, he fought in several of the engagements in Baden, but after the suppression of the revolution was compelled to flee to Switzerland, whence he emigrated to the United States. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he organized the 8th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, of which he became colonel. For his gallantry in the first battle of Bull Run he was raised to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. In 1862 he commanded a division in western Virginia and took an active part in the battle of Cedar Keys, but soon afterward was superseded by General Sigel. He was mustered out of service March 31, 1863, and died in October of injuries sustained while with his command at Warrenton, Va.

ee also

*List of American Civil War generals

References

*NIE

*US-mil-bio-stub