Frederick Knefler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick Knefler
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Colonel Frederick Knefler, ca. 1862
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| Born | April 12, 1824 Arad, Hungary |
| Died | June 14, 1901 (aged 77) Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Place of burial |
Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Indiana
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel brevet brigadier general |
| Commands held | 11th Indiana Infantry 79th Indiana Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | carpenter attorney |
Frederick Knefler (born April 12, 1824 – died June 14, 1901) was a brave soldier who served in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. He started as a first lieutenant in May 1861. He became a staff officer and later a colonel leading the 79th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He even acted as a brigade commander. After the war, in 1866, he was given an honorary promotion to brevet brigadier general.
Contents
Frederick Knefler: A Civil War Hero
Early Life and New Beginnings
Frederick Knefler was born in Arad, Hungary. His father, Nathan Knoepfler, was a doctor and a Hungarian Jew. When Frederick was young, he and his father joined the revolutionary forces during the 1848-49 Hungarian War of Liberation.
After their side lost the war, the Knefler family moved to the United States. They first lived in New York, then settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. His father was one of the first Jewish families in Indianapolis. He even helped start the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation.
Frederick learned to be a carpenter in New York. He continued this work in Indianapolis while also studying law. He became an assistant to the clerk of Marion County, Indiana. There, he met a man named Lew Wallace, who would become important in his life.
Joining the Civil War
When President Lincoln asked for soldiers after the attack on Fort Sumter, Indiana's Governor Oliver Morton put Lew Wallace in charge of finding troops. Wallace chose Knefler as his main helper.
Fighting with the 11th Indiana
After helping raise five regiments, Wallace took command of the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He made Knefler a first lieutenant in this regiment. Knefler was promoted to captain on June 5, 1861.
The 11th Indiana Infantry went to the Washington, D.C. area. They fought in some small battles but missed the big Battle of Bull Run. Their first enlistment ended, so they returned to Indianapolis. When Wallace formed a new 11th Indiana Infantry, Knefler became a captain again. Soon after, Wallace became a brigadier general, and Knefler joined him as his assistant.
Helping General Lew Wallace
Knefler was with General Wallace's group when they helped capture Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. They played a key role in stopping Confederate soldiers from escaping Fort Donelson. General Wallace praised Knefler for his "prompt and efficient service" and his "courage."
Knefler was also with Wallace at the Battle of Shiloh. During this battle, a misunderstanding about orders caused some confusion. Knefler was involved in this, but he continued to serve bravely.
Leading the 79th Indiana Infantry
After General Wallace left active service, Indiana's Governor Oliver Morton made Knefler the commanding colonel of the new 79th Indiana Infantry Regiment. This happened in August 1862.
Major Battles and Victories
Knefler's regiment joined Buell's Army of the Ohio. They fought in important battles like Stones River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge. At Stones River, Knefler reported that his regiment lost one-third of its 341 men.
At Chickamauga, the 79th Indiana captured a key enemy battery. During the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Knefler led a combined force of the 79th and 86th Indiana regiments. They led a surprising charge up the center of the ridge. General Beatty praised Knefler for his leadership in this charge.
After the war, the state of Indiana put up a monument at the Chickamauga battlefield. It honored the 79th Regiment Infantry and Colonel Frederick Knefler.
The Atlanta Campaign
After Missionary Ridge, the 79th Indiana joined General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. During this time, Knefler was given command of the entire brigade. This happened because General Beatty was ill. Even though he was leading a brigade, Knefler remained a colonel.
Knefler's brigade fought in the whole campaign. They played a big part in battles like Pickett’s Mill, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy’s Station. They marched into Atlanta as part of the victorious Union army.
The Franklin-Nashville Campaign
When Confederate General Hood tried to cut Sherman's supply line by invading Tennessee, Knefler's brigade was sent to help General Thomas. In the Battle of Franklin, Knefler's brigade guarded one side. They had few casualties because the main attack was on the Union center.
In the battle of Nashville, Knefler's brigade was in reserve. When two other brigades were pushed back, Knefler ordered his brigade to charge the confused enemy. This forced the Confederates to retreat, and his men captured many of their weapons.
Knefler's brigade was getting ready to move into Virginia when the war ended. He returned to Indianapolis with the 79th Indiana Infantry. He was officially discharged from service on June 7, 1865.
An Honorary General
On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Knefler for an honorary promotion. He was appointed to the rank of brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This promotion was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 12, 1866.
After the War
After the war, Frederick Knefler became a lawyer in Indianapolis. He worked with John Hanna, who was a former U.S. Attorney. When his partner was elected to Congress, Knefler was appointed head of the pension office in Indianapolis. He served in this role for eight years.
Knefler also became president of the board for Indiana's Soldiers and Sailors Monument. He oversaw the start of its construction in Indianapolis on August 22, 1889. However, he passed away before the monument was finished in 1902.
Frederick Knefler died on June 14, 1901, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.
