Albin Francisco Schoepf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albin Francisco Schoepf
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Albin F. Schoepf
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| Born | March 1, 1822 Podgórze, Poland |
| Died | May 10, 1886 (aged 64) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial |
Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
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| Allegiance |  Austrian Empire Ottoman Empire United States of America |
| Service/ |
 Austrian Army Ottoman Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1841–1849 (Austria) 1849–1851 (Ottoman Empire) 1861–1866 (USA) |
| Rank | Major (Austria) Major (Ottoman Empire)  Brigadier General (USA) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Albin Francisco Schoepf (born March 1, 1822 – died May 10, 1886) was a brave military officer. He was born in Europe and later became a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He is most famous for being in charge of Fort Delaware. This fort was a camp for Confederate soldiers captured during the war.
Contents
Albin Schoepf's Early Life and Military Career
Albin Schoepf was born in Podgórze, Poland, in 1822. At that time, this area was part of the Austrian Empire. When he was 15, he joined the Vienna Military Academy.
Serving in Europe
- In 1841, he became a lieutenant in the artillery.
- He served as a captain in the Austrian Army in Hungary.
- During the Hungarian Revolution in 1848, he left the Austrian Army.
- He joined the Hungarian Revolutionary Army as a private and quickly became a major.
- After the revolution ended in 1849, Schoepf went to Turkey.
- There, he worked as an artillery instructor in the Ottoman Empire's army, also with the rank of major.
Moving to the United States
In 1851, Albin Schoepf moved to the United States. He settled in Washington, D.C.. He worked as a clerk for the U.S. Coastal Survey and later for the U.S. Patent Office. In 1855, he married Julie Bates Kesley, and they had nine children.
Schoepf in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Schoepf was appointed a brigadier general in the Union Army on September 30, 1861.
Early Battles
- Schoepf's brigade fought well at the Battle of Camp Wildcat. They pushed back Confederate forces led by Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer.
- A few weeks later, Schoepf's troops had to retreat from London, Kentucky, to Crab Orchard. The Confederates called this the "Wild-Cat stampede."
- Schoepf and his soldiers later fought Zollicoffer again at the Battle of Mill Springs.
Challenges with Commanders
In August 1862, Schoepf was promoted to lead a division. However, he often disagreed with his commander, Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell. This was especially true during the Battle of Perryville, where Schoepf felt he was not allowed to attack soon enough.
Schoepf was part of a group investigating Buell's actions during the war. He openly showed his disapproval of Buell's leadership. To avoid affecting the investigation, Schoepf asked to be moved to a different assignment.
Commanding Fort Delaware
- On April 13, 1863, Schoepf was given command of Fort Delaware. He stayed in this role for the rest of the war.
- Fort Delaware was on Pea Patch Island and served as a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers and sailors.
- At its busiest in July 1863, the camp held up to 11,500 prisoners.
- By the end of the war, about 33,000 prisoners had passed through Fort Delaware.
- While conditions were tough, historical records show it was one of the more survivable prison camps during the war.
- About 2,460 prisoners, 109 guards, and 39 civilians died at Fort Delaware during the war.
- Schoepf left the military on January 15, 1866.
Life After the War
After the war, Albin Schoepf returned to his job at the U.S. Patent Office. He died on May 10, 1886, after a long illness. He is buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
