Frederick Füger
Frederick Fuger (June 18, 1836 – October 13, 1913) was an enlisted man and officer in the U.S. Army. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Gettysburg while defending the Union position on Cemetery Ridge against Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863.
Frederick Füger | |
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Born | Göppingen, Germany | June 18, 1836
Died | October 13, 1913 77) Washington D.C. | (aged
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America Union |
Service/ | United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1856–1900 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands held | ![]() |
Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of White Oak Swamp • Battle of Antietam • Battle of Gettysburg • Battle of Dinwiddie Court House |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Military service
Emigrating from his native Germany in 1853, Fuger joined the 4th U.S. Artillery in 1856 and was assigned to Battery A. He saw service in Florida in 1856 against the Seminoles, Kansas in 1857, Utah in 1858 against the Mormons, and Nevada in 1860 against the Paiutes.[1]
Fuger's five-year enlistment was set to expire in 1861 when Confederate forces fired during the Battle of Fort Sumter, the first engagement of the American Civil War. He reenlisted and was promoted to 1st sergeant of Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery under the command of Lt. Alonzo Cushing. During the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, Fuger was defending Cemetery Ridge during the Confederate infantry assault known as Pickett's Charge. After Lt. Alonzo Cushing and 2nd Lt. Joseph Milne were mortally wounded, Fuger took command of the battery and continued to fire the single remaining gun under the pressure of approaching Confederates. Confederate soldiers under the command of Brig. General Lewis Armistead managed to breach the stone wall, landing among the forward guns. Fuger's men engaged in hand-to-hand to drive the Confederates off the field.[2] Fuger was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action and also received a commission as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S Army.
![](../I/m/Frederick_F%C3%BCger_in_1913.jpg)
By his own account, Fuger was present at 63 Civil War battles and minor engagements, being wounded twice, once in the head at the Battle of White Oak Swamp on June 30, 1862, and once in the left arm at the Battle of Antietam, on September 17, 1862.[1]
- Fuger was brevetted 1st lieutenant U.S. Army for gallant and meritorious services in the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865.
- Promoted to 1st Lieutenant 4th Artillery in December 1865.
- Promoted to captain 4th Artillery, March 1887.
- Promoted to major 4th Artillery February 13, 1899.
- Compulsory retirement for age in June 1900, age 64
- In April 1904, after an Act of Congress, Fuger was promoted to lieutenant colonel U.S. Army.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of Gettysburg
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
Notes
![](../I/m/MEDAL_OF_HONOR_OFFICERS._GEN._CHARLES_F._HUMPHREY%3B_GEN._JOHN_M._WILSON%3B_COL._CHARLES_H._HEYL%3B_GEN._THEODORE_SCHWAN%3B_COL._FREDERICK_FUGER%3B_GEN._W.H._CARTER%3B_GEN._A.L._MILLS%3B_LT._GORDON_LCCN2016864107.jpg)
- "The Historical Page – Historical articles and information pertaining to Cushing's Battery and the Civil War". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- A., Hessler, James. Pickett's charge at Gettysburg : a guide to the most famous attack in American history. Motts, Wayne E. El Dorado Hills, CA. ISBN 1611212006. OCLC 905902794.
References
- Hesselberg, George (March 9, 2010). "Wisconsin soldier who died in the Civil War gets Medal of Honor recommendation". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on March 13, 2010.
External links
- "Frederick Füger". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- "4th U.S. Artillery Battery A". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Batteries at Cemetery Ridge similar to those used by Cushing's outfit.
Biography portal American Civil War portal
"Arlington National Cemetery biography". Retrieved September 29, 2010.