Gil R.
Posts: 10821
Joined: 4/1/2005 Status: offline
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This one's done, and ready to go: Brig. Gen. Charles (Karl) Leopold Matthies (b. 1824, d. 1868). Matthies was born in Bromberg, Prussia. As a youngster, he worked on a farm nearby, and at sixteen he joined the Prussian army, in which he served as an enlisted man until he emigrated to the United States in 1849. During the 1850’s, Matthies was a local businessman in Burlington, Iowa. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was elected captain of the 1st Iowa Infantry in May 1861. While serving under Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyons, he led this unit at Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861. In May 1862, Matthies was promoted to Colonel of the 1st Iowa and led this regiment during the Corinth Campaign. That November, Matthies was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned to command the 3rd brigade of the 3rd division of XV Corps, leading his brigade during the Vicksburg Campaign in the first half of 1863. Serving under Gen. George Thomas during the Chattanooga Campaign, Matthies was wounded while participating in the charge up Missionary Ridge November 25, 1863. When he recovered from his wounds, he rejoined his brigade in time for the start of Gen. William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, but due to illness he was forced to resign his commission in May 1864. Matthies returned to Burlington, where he was involved with local politics until his death in 1868. The general is buried in Aspen Groves Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa. (Bio by Scott Jennings) Leadership: 3 Tactics: 3 Initiative: 2 Command: 3 Cavalry: Start date: 44 or 45 “Death” date: 80
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