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.