Augustus Ziegler

According to O. B. Curtis (p. 322), Augustus Ziegler and his older brother William were both born in Detroit. They enlisted in company A, 24th Michigan Infantry, William on August 4, 1862 and Augustus on August 13, 1862 at Detroit. Augustus was 18. His pre-war occupation is listed as clerk. Augustus entered service with the rank of corporal. The brothers were mustered into service on August 13, 1862. Augusts was promoted to 5th Sergeant on January 23, 1863.

On July 1, 1863 the Regiment was heavily engaged on the first day at Gettysburg. The 24th had the highest number of casualties of any union regiment in that great battle. The 24th Michigan incurred 80% casualties. Augustus was one of the lucky few who escaped unscathed. William Ziegler was not so fortunate. Augustus spared no effort to try to find out what became of his older brother, but to no avail. In a letter dated July 21, 1863, Augustus described his part in the battle.

Augustus served as Ordnance Sergeant from August 16, 1863 to January 22, 1864. He was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (the highest enlisted rank) on October 7, 1863.

Augustus was wounded in action on May 6, 1864 in the Wilderness. In the confused fighting, he was captured by the enemy and made a prisoner. Details of his wound imprisonment are unknown. He doesn't seem to have been held captive for very long. He was eventually paroled and was sent to a in a hospital in Washington to recuperate. After recovering, he was given a brief leave to go back home to Detroit. Augustus returned to duty with the Regiment on October 13, 1864.

In recognition of his fine service, Augusts was commissioned first lieutenant of Company F on October 14, 1864. Augustus was again wounded at Dabney's Mill, February 6, 1865, the last engagement of the Regiment. He returned to duty with the Regiment at Springfield, Illinois on March 17, 1865. Soon after his return he was Acting Regimental Adjutant from March 23-30, 1865.

While at Springfield, the Regiment received a large number of recruits, intended to bring them back to full strength. Augustus was appointed to command company "U" (Unassigned Recruits) on April 22, 1865. By then the war was effectively over, and Augustus' boys were never fully integrated into unit.

Augustus mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit Michigan on June 30, 1865. Within a year or two Augustus decided to take advantage of the homestead act, and moved to the Nebraska Territory where he tried make a new life for himself.

Augustus returned to Detroit in late 1869, perhaps in part to prepare for a marriage to his fiancé. Such was not to e, however. Augustus Ziegler died in Detroit, Michigan on January 2, 1870. He was only 26. The cause of his death is given as pneumonia. His surviving correspondence indicates that his health had been seriously impaired by his wartime service and imprisonment, possibly explaining his early demise.

He is probably buried in Elmwood Cemetery

Signed Ziegler CDV courtesy of David Finney. Clarity of the image is the responsibility of the author. Used with permission.

Some of the information on this page is courtesy of his collateral descendant:

Don Osborn, donaldo@bwc.org
http://www.msu.edu/~osborndo/ziegler.htm