1st Lt. Bertram Heinrich Karl Muetze traveled from his home in Louisville, Kentucky to New York City and enlisted in the 68th New York Infantry on August 16, 1861 while Kentucky was still neutral. The 68th was also known as the "Cameron Rifles" and the "2nd German Rifle Regiment."

Muetze was born at Marburg, in the Electorate of Hessen (Kurhessen)in 1837. He fought in both the Eastern and Western theaters and was a flag bearer for the regiment in the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded and captured fighting in von Gilsa's brigade of Barlow's 11th Corps division. His unit was transferred to Tennessee in October 1863. He mustered out on November 30, 1865 and returned to Louisville.