(Bio updated 11/13/2023 in honor of Veteran's Day - Please read ALL to get a better understanding of this man)
Ferdinand Carl Wilhelm Engel was born on August 4, 1828 in the village of Qualitz in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). His parents were the shepherd Johann Heinrich Christoph Engel and Sophia Dorothea Caroline Schindler. His father died June 17, 1839 when Ferdinand was only 10 years old. Life was tough for the Engels, and the entire family had to work hard to support themselves after their father's death. The Engel siblings even refrained from getting married...working towards the goal of making a better life for themselves.
Ferdinand emigrated to the United States together with his older brother Heinrich in late 1851 or early 1852. That passenger ship record has not yet been located. In 1854, they were followed by their widowed mother Sophia, and siblings Johann, Sophia and Christoph. One other brother (Friedrich) remained behind in Mecklenburg. At the time, Ferdinand was living in Cleveland, Ohio - but he enlisted in the US Army in "Company K, 2nd Infantry" for a 5 year term on July 11, 1854. When the rest of his family arrived shortly after his enlistment, there was no reason to remain in Cleveland - they decided to move on to Detroit, Michigan and make their home there instead.
Ferdinand's military history is very interesting: Records show that he deserted from Fort Ripley, Minnesota on August 4, 1855. He remained at large until he was apprehended on January 1, 1860 at Jefferson Barracks (just outside of St. Louis), Missouri. Apparently he had attempted to re-enlist on December 24, 1859 in St. Louis under the name "William Engel", but his deception was quickly discovered when he was recognized by another soldier there. He was fined about $30, he was Court Martialed on Feb 27, and was discharged on Feb 28, 1860.
Afterwards, his previous dishonorable discharge was either disregarded or perhaps forgotten. Ferdinand re-enlisted at least twice: In 1861, he joined "Company F, 4th Missouri Infantry" for an unknown period of time. Then on January 4, 1864 he re-enlisted in Belleville, Illinois as a Private in "Company H, 43rd Illinois Infantry". He transferred to "Company E, 43rd Infantry" on December 16th, and was HONORABLY discharged in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 30, 1865 after the expiration of his service. Ferdinand had redeemed his previous wrongs, and was now considered to be a Civil War veteran.
It is unclear what Ferdinand did after the war's end, but he apparently stayed in the Midwest region. As far as is known, Ferdinand never married, and did not have any children. As an immigrant with a shepherd background, he struggled to find a place for himself in America. One family story told how he stopped by his brother Christoph's home outside of Detroit, Michigan. When a nephew (whom had never met him) opened the door and said his parents were not home, Ferdinand - who was dressed poorly and appeared "homeless" - was too ashamed to beg and he left, never to return.
In his 1890 "Family History" document, brother Christoph Engel wrote that "the last news from him was from St. Louis, Missouri 18 years ago (1872), and that since then he is missing". However, a later update in that Family History shows Ferdinand's date and place of death - so apparently Ferdinand reached out to his family, or instructed hospital officials to inform his family after he died. Ferdinand died at the age of 66 in 1895 in the Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Leavenworth, Kansas - due to "Paraplegia" (paralysis of the legs and lower torso). He had been living there since July 3, 1893.
Ferdinand was buried in the Home's cemetery - which later became known as the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Military Information: Private, Missouri & Illinois Infantry
Ferdinand Carl Wilhelm Engel was born on August 4, 1828 in the village of Qualitz in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). His parents were the shepherd Johann Heinrich Christoph Engel and Sophia Dorothea Caroline Schindler. His father died June 17, 1839 when Ferdinand was only 10 years old. Life was tough for the Engels, and the entire family had to work hard to support themselves after their father's death. The Engel siblings even refrained from getting married...working towards the goal of making a better life for themselves.
Ferdinand emigrated to the United States together with his older brother Heinrich in late 1851 or early 1852. That passenger ship record has not yet been located. In 1854, they were followed by their widowed mother Sophia, and siblings Johann, Sophia and Christoph. One other brother (Friedrich) remained behind in Mecklenburg. At the time, Ferdinand was living in Cleveland, Ohio - but he enlisted in the US Army in "Company K, 2nd Infantry" for a 5 year term on July 11, 1854. When the rest of his family arrived shortly after his enlistment, there was no reason to remain in Cleveland - they decided to move on to Detroit, Michigan and make their home there instead.
Ferdinand's military history is very interesting: Records show that he deserted from Fort Ripley, Minnesota on August 4, 1855. He remained at large until he was apprehended on January 1, 1860 at Jefferson Barracks (just outside of St. Louis), Missouri. Apparently he had attempted to re-enlist on December 24, 1859 in St. Louis under the name "William Engel", but his deception was quickly discovered when he was recognized by another soldier there. He was fined about $30, he was Court Martialed on Feb 27, and was discharged on Feb 28, 1860.
Afterwards, his previous dishonorable discharge was either disregarded or perhaps forgotten. Ferdinand re-enlisted at least twice: In 1861, he joined "Company F, 4th Missouri Infantry" for an unknown period of time. Then on January 4, 1864 he re-enlisted in Belleville, Illinois as a Private in "Company H, 43rd Illinois Infantry". He transferred to "Company E, 43rd Infantry" on December 16th, and was HONORABLY discharged in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 30, 1865 after the expiration of his service. Ferdinand had redeemed his previous wrongs, and was now considered to be a Civil War veteran.
It is unclear what Ferdinand did after the war's end, but he apparently stayed in the Midwest region. As far as is known, Ferdinand never married, and did not have any children. As an immigrant with a shepherd background, he struggled to find a place for himself in America. One family story told how he stopped by his brother Christoph's home outside of Detroit, Michigan. When a nephew (whom had never met him) opened the door and said his parents were not home, Ferdinand - who was dressed poorly and appeared "homeless" - was too ashamed to beg and he left, never to return.
In his 1890 "Family History" document, brother Christoph Engel wrote that "the last news from him was from St. Louis, Missouri 18 years ago (1872), and that since then he is missing". However, a later update in that Family History shows Ferdinand's date and place of death - so apparently Ferdinand reached out to his family, or instructed hospital officials to inform his family after he died. Ferdinand died at the age of 66 in 1895 in the Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Leavenworth, Kansas - due to "Paraplegia" (paralysis of the legs and lower torso). He had been living there since July 3, 1893.
Ferdinand was buried in the Home's cemetery - which later became known as the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Military Information: Private, Missouri & Illinois Infantry
(Bio updated 11/13/2023 in honor of Veteran's Day - Please read ALL to get a better understanding of this man)
Ferdinand Carl Wilhelm Engel was born on August 4, 1828 in the village of Qualitz in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). His parents were the shepherd Johann Heinrich Christoph Engel and Sophia Dorothea Caroline Schindler. His father died June 17, 1839 when Ferdinand was only 10 years old. Life was tough for the Engels, and the entire family had to work hard to support themselves after their father's death. The Engel siblings even refrained from getting married...working towards the goal of making a better life for themselves.
Ferdinand emigrated to the United States together with his older brother Heinrich in late 1851 or early 1852. That passenger ship record has not yet been located. In 1854, they were followed by their widowed mother Sophia, and siblings Johann, Sophia and Christoph. One other brother (Friedrich) remained behind in Mecklenburg. At the time, Ferdinand was living in Cleveland, Ohio - but he enlisted in the US Army in "Company K, 2nd Infantry" for a 5 year term on July 11, 1854. When the rest of his family arrived shortly after his enlistment, there was no reason to remain in Cleveland - they decided to move on to Detroit, Michigan and make their home there instead.
Ferdinand's military history is very interesting: Records show that he deserted from Fort Ripley, Minnesota on August 4, 1855. He remained at large until he was apprehended on January 1, 1860 at Jefferson Barracks (just outside of St. Louis), Missouri. Apparently he had attempted to re-enlist on December 24, 1859 in St. Louis under the name "William Engel", but his deception was quickly discovered when he was recognized by another soldier there. He was fined about $30, he was Court Martialed on Feb 27, and was discharged on Feb 28, 1860.
Afterwards, his previous dishonorable discharge was either disregarded or perhaps forgotten. Ferdinand re-enlisted at least twice: In 1861, he joined "Company F, 4th Missouri Infantry" for an unknown period of time. Then on January 4, 1864 he re-enlisted in Belleville, Illinois as a Private in "Company H, 43rd Illinois Infantry". He transferred to "Company E, 43rd Infantry" on December 16th, and was HONORABLY discharged in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 30, 1865 after the expiration of his service. Ferdinand had redeemed his previous wrongs, and was now considered to be a Civil War veteran.
It is unclear what Ferdinand did after the war's end, but he apparently stayed in the Midwest region. As far as is known, Ferdinand never married, and did not have any children. As an immigrant with a shepherd background, he struggled to find a place for himself in America. One family story told how he stopped by his brother Christoph's home outside of Detroit, Michigan. When a nephew (whom had never met him) opened the door and said his parents were not home, Ferdinand - who was dressed poorly and appeared "homeless" - was too ashamed to beg and he left, never to return.
In his 1890 "Family History" document, brother Christoph Engel wrote that "the last news from him was from St. Louis, Missouri 18 years ago (1872), and that since then he is missing". However, a later update in that Family History shows Ferdinand's date and place of death - so apparently Ferdinand reached out to his family, or instructed hospital officials to inform his family after he died. Ferdinand died at the age of 66 in 1895 in the Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Leavenworth, Kansas - due to "Paraplegia" (paralysis of the legs and lower torso). He had been living there since July 3, 1893.
Ferdinand was buried in the Home's cemetery - which later became known as the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Military Information: Private, Missouri & Illinois Infantry
Ferdinand Carl Wilhelm Engel was born on August 4, 1828 in the village of Qualitz in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). His parents were the shepherd Johann Heinrich Christoph Engel and Sophia Dorothea Caroline Schindler. His father died June 17, 1839 when Ferdinand was only 10 years old. Life was tough for the Engels, and the entire family had to work hard to support themselves after their father's death. The Engel siblings even refrained from getting married...working towards the goal of making a better life for themselves.
Ferdinand emigrated to the United States together with his older brother Heinrich in late 1851 or early 1852. That passenger ship record has not yet been located. In 1854, they were followed by their widowed mother Sophia, and siblings Johann, Sophia and Christoph. One other brother (Friedrich) remained behind in Mecklenburg. At the time, Ferdinand was living in Cleveland, Ohio - but he enlisted in the US Army in "Company K, 2nd Infantry" for a 5 year term on July 11, 1854. When the rest of his family arrived shortly after his enlistment, there was no reason to remain in Cleveland - they decided to move on to Detroit, Michigan and make their home there instead.
Ferdinand's military history is very interesting: Records show that he deserted from Fort Ripley, Minnesota on August 4, 1855. He remained at large until he was apprehended on January 1, 1860 at Jefferson Barracks (just outside of St. Louis), Missouri. Apparently he had attempted to re-enlist on December 24, 1859 in St. Louis under the name "William Engel", but his deception was quickly discovered when he was recognized by another soldier there. He was fined about $30, he was Court Martialed on Feb 27, and was discharged on Feb 28, 1860.
Afterwards, his previous dishonorable discharge was either disregarded or perhaps forgotten. Ferdinand re-enlisted at least twice: In 1861, he joined "Company F, 4th Missouri Infantry" for an unknown period of time. Then on January 4, 1864 he re-enlisted in Belleville, Illinois as a Private in "Company H, 43rd Illinois Infantry". He transferred to "Company E, 43rd Infantry" on December 16th, and was HONORABLY discharged in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 30, 1865 after the expiration of his service. Ferdinand had redeemed his previous wrongs, and was now considered to be a Civil War veteran.
It is unclear what Ferdinand did after the war's end, but he apparently stayed in the Midwest region. As far as is known, Ferdinand never married, and did not have any children. As an immigrant with a shepherd background, he struggled to find a place for himself in America. One family story told how he stopped by his brother Christoph's home outside of Detroit, Michigan. When a nephew (whom had never met him) opened the door and said his parents were not home, Ferdinand - who was dressed poorly and appeared "homeless" - was too ashamed to beg and he left, never to return.
In his 1890 "Family History" document, brother Christoph Engel wrote that "the last news from him was from St. Louis, Missouri 18 years ago (1872), and that since then he is missing". However, a later update in that Family History shows Ferdinand's date and place of death - so apparently Ferdinand reached out to his family, or instructed hospital officials to inform his family after he died. Ferdinand died at the age of 66 in 1895 in the Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Leavenworth, Kansas - due to "Paraplegia" (paralysis of the legs and lower torso). He had been living there since July 3, 1893.
Ferdinand was buried in the Home's cemetery - which later became known as the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Military Information: Private, Missouri & Illinois Infantry
