Alexander Schaefer, part 1

Headstone in section 28, Evergreen Cemetery

Here is part one about a man who had an interesting Civil War career. Next week's part two will have more information about his widow, but also includes a couple of comments about this man's remarkable experiences in the war.

Alexander (Alex) Schaefer was born in Germany in 1844. After coming to the United States, he joined the Union army, first in  a three-month regiment, the 6th Ohio Infantry, apparently known as the Guthrie Grays, and then re-enlisted in the 13th Ohio Infantry.

Here is some information about the Guthrie Grays  as well as the 13th Ohio Infantry  (scroll down the page - you will see some information on the 6th Ohio (Guthrie Grays) as well.)

The 13th Ohio certainly took part in some major battles and campaigns, so there were plenty of chances for him to be captured by the Confederates, as the below article claims. If he truly survived both Libby Prison and Andersonville,  he was remarkably fortunate.

The National Park Service's Soldiers and Sailors System website does show an Alexander Schafer of the 13th Ohio as a prisoner at Andersonville, listing him as being captured on 5/27/1864 in Dallas, Ga. His "type" is listed as "Held at Andersonville and survived," quite an achievement given that prison's notorious reputation.

From this information, it appears he was captured at the Battle of Pickett's Mill, part of William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.

I have been unable to find any listing of prisoners held at Libby Prison in Richmond




Kentucky Post February 8, 1919

“War Veterans will Attend Golden Wedding”

“Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Schaefer married 50 years”

“Celebration Sunday at the family residence, Fourth Street, Newport”

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Schaefer who were married in Cincinnati Feb 8, 1869, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Sunday at the family residence 412 West Fourth Street, Newport. Their children, grand-children, relatives and friends, including members of the Guthrie Grays, veterans of the Civil War, will attend the celebration. Mr. Schaefer was a member of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War and was twice wounded. He was captured and held for 31 days in Libby Prison and later recaptured spending nine months in Andersonville prison. He is now 74 years of age and his wife 70 years.