Charles Drechsel

Name: Charles Drechsel Company: D Died October 12, 1862, at Fort Abercrombie
Birth Date: about 1822 Place: Saxony (Germany)	Mustered In Date: March 5, 1862 Rank: Private Age: 40 Residence prior to military service: Saxony (Germany); Watertown, Carver County, Minnesota Vocation prior to military service: Farmer
Death Date: October 12, 1862 Place: Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory Burial:

Charles Drechsel Biography and Civil War Narrative

Charles Drechsel was born about 1822 in Saxony (Germany). He came to America and married Mary. The 1860 U.S. Census shows Charles (age 38) and Mary (age 45) Drechsel farming in Watertown, Carver County, Minnesota.

Charles enlisted as a Private in Company D of the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry on March 5, 1862, at the age of 40. From their home base of Fort Snelling, Drechsel and Company D were detached to Fort Abercrombie on the Minnesota and North Dakota border. They arrived at Fort Abercrombie on March 29, 1862. After several months of dull outpost duty at the fort, the company received news of Indian warfare in Minnesota. In addition to the men of Company D, about 80 residents of the area gathered at the fort. Soldiers and citizens worked together to reinforce the fort defenses.

On August 30th, a small band of Dakota Indians raided, driving off the cattle from around the fort. About fifty of the cattle were recovered the next day.

At daybreakon September 3rd, about 400 Indians attacked the post [this number has been questioned by some, estimating up to 125 attackers]. The fight lasted until about 3:00 pm when the Indians were finally run off.

After scattered fire on September 4th and 5th, the Indians attacked fiercely on September 6th. This time two men from the fort were killed and one was wounded. A relief expedition was sent to the fort by Governor Alexander Ramsey on September 6th. The reinforcements finally arrived on September 23rd. More detailed information about Fort Abercrombie may be found at The Siege of Fort Abercrombie.

Company D of the Fifth Minnesota was sent in October to join other Minnesota units fighting in the Civil War. Private Charles Drechsel died at Fort Abercrombie on October 12, 1862, probably of illness rather than the (direct) result of battle.

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This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Page created on 9/22/2009. Last modified on 9/22/2009.