Frederick Augustus Buhl

 

Frederick Augustus Buhl was the oldest son of Frederick Buhl, a prominent Detroit businessman and head of the firm of F. Buhl & Newland Company, furriers and manufacturers of hats, gloves, and other items. The family home was at 86 West Congress Street.

Young Gus (from his middle name) was a junior at the University of Michigan when he left school to join the 24th Michigan. He was only 19. He assisted in recruiting Captain Ingersoll's company, and was made 2nd. Lieutenant. The F. Buhl, & Newland Company presented the original national colors to the regiment. (They were so badly shot up that were retired after Gettysburg.)

The promising young officer was an Acting Aide on Staff of General Meredith from November 10 to December 4, 1864. In the wake of Captain Ingersoll's resignation, the 1st Lieutenant, William Rexford was promoted to Captain, and Gus moved up to 1st Lieutenant. His commission was issued on December 20, but was dated December 13, 1863. Gus also served a brief stint as Acting regimental Quarter Master, beginning on March 23, 1863.

Captain Rexford was wounded early in the morning's fight at Gettysburg. Gus, only 20 years old, assumed command of Company B. After the initial action involving Archer's Brigade there was a lull while Brokenbrough and Pender's Brigades were brought forward and deployed. At about 11 o'clock Lieutenant Buhl was ordered to deploy his company as skirmishers. Once the Confederate attack began, the skirmishers were quickly driven back to the main line. At some point after this, Lt. Buhl was badly wounded in the leg.

After recovering from leg wounds received at Gettysburg, Gus returned to duty in September. He did not stay with the Regiment long, however. He resigned on November 10 to accept a commission as Captain in the 1st Michigan Cavalry. He left the 24th Michigan on November 17, 1863 at "Camp Dickey" near Beverly Ford Va.
The talented Buhl was, for a time on the staff of G. A. Custer. During Jubal Early's invasion of Maryland, Frederick Augustus Buhl was badly wounded in a fight near Sharpsburg. He was transported to a hospital at Sandy Hook, Maryland with a group of wounded that included Russell A. Alger, Colonel. of the 5th. Michigan Cavalry. After reaching the hospital, he wrote a brief letter to his younger brother Walter Buhl. The letter describes his wounds of which he was to die of a number of days later, and is the last letter he wrote before death. Frederick Augustus Buhl died on September 15, 1864 and his body was brought back home and buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.

While with the 24th Michigan he participated in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was on the Mud March, Port Royal and Westmoreland Expeditions and the Campaign of Maneuvers.


Much of the information on this page, including the photograph of F. A. Buhl was provided by Roger L. Heiple, CGBD86A@prodigy.com.

Gettysburg flag photograph courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum, used with permission



Last Updated: 12/25/00
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Buhl Photograph and all original material © Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 Roger Heiple
Flag Photograph ©  Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 Dearborn Historical Museum