Frederick C. Salomon
Encyclopedia
Frederick C. Salomon (April 7, 1826 – March 8, 1897) was a German
immigrant to the United States
who served as a Union
brigadier general
in the American Civil War
.
, Prussia
. After attending a gymnasium
, he became a government surveyor, later a lieutenant of artillery, and in 1848 a pupil in the Berlin School of Architecture. Soon afterward, he emigrated to the United States
, where he settled in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
, as a surveyor. For four years, he was county register of deeds, and 1857-1859 he was the chief engineer with the Manitowoc and Wisconsin Railroad.
In 1861 he joined the Missouri 5th Infantry as captain under Gen. Franz Sigel
and was present at Wilson's Creek
. After three months of service, he was appointed colonel
of the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
, and joined the "Indian Expedition" into Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). He forcibly removed and arrested the commander of the expedition, Colonel William Weer
, due to drunkenness.
Salomon was made a brigadier general June 16, 1862. On September 30, 1862, he made an unsuccessful attempt to capture Newtonia, Missouri
, during the First Battle of Newtonia
. He commanded the victorious Union troops at the Battle of Helena
, Arkansas. In March 1865 he received the brevet
of major general
and was mustered out of service on August 25, 1865.
For several years, he was surveyor general of Utah Territory
, where he died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery there. His grave can be found in Section E, Lot 7, Grave 7.
He was the brother of Edward Salomon
a civil war era governor of Wisconsin.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
immigrant to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who served as a Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
He was born in Stroebeck near HalberstadtHalberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
, Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. After attending a gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, he became a government surveyor, later a lieutenant of artillery, and in 1848 a pupil in the Berlin School of Architecture. Soon afterward, he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he settled in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc is a city in and the county seat of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The city is located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. According to the 2000 census, Manitowoc had a population of 34,053, with over 50,000 residents in the surrounding communities...
, as a surveyor. For four years, he was county register of deeds, and 1857-1859 he was the chief engineer with the Manitowoc and Wisconsin Railroad.
In 1861 he joined the Missouri 5th Infantry as captain under Gen. Franz Sigel
Franz Sigel
Franz Sigel was a German military officer, revolutionist and immigrant to the United States who was a teacher, newspaperman, politician, and served as a Union major general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
and was present at Wilson's Creek
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
. After three months of service, he was appointed colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 9th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 9th Wisconsin was raised at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and mustered into Federal service October 26, 1861....
, and joined the "Indian Expedition" into Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). He forcibly removed and arrested the commander of the expedition, Colonel William Weer
William Weer
William Weer was a lawyer, attorney general for Kansas and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
, due to drunkenness.
Salomon was made a brigadier general June 16, 1862. On September 30, 1862, he made an unsuccessful attempt to capture Newtonia, Missouri
Newtonia, Missouri
Newtonia is a village in Newton County, Missouri, United States. The population was 199 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Newtonia was the site of the Battles of Newtonia. Newtonia has some Antebellum houses, such as the Ritchey Mansion, as well...
, during the First Battle of Newtonia
First Battle of Newtonia
The First Battle of Newtonia was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 30, 1862 in Newton County, Missouri.Following the Battle of Pea Ridge in March, most Confederate and Union troops left northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri...
. He commanded the victorious Union troops at the Battle of Helena
Battle of Helena
The Battle of Helena was a land battle of the American Civil War fought on July 4, 1863, at Helena, Arkansas. Overshadowed by the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Battle of Helena secured eastern Arkansas for the Union.- Union forces :...
, Arkansas. In March 1865 he received the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
and was mustered out of service on August 25, 1865.
For several years, he was surveyor general of Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
, where he died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery there. His grave can be found in Section E, Lot 7, Grave 7.
He was the brother of Edward Salomon
Edward Salomon
Edward Salomon was the eighth Governor of Wisconsin during the Civil War after the accidental drowning of his predecessor, Louis P. Harvey.Salomon was born in Ströbeck, Prussian Saxony...
a civil war era governor of Wisconsin.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
- Prussia in the American Civil WarPrussia in the American Civil WarWhile trying to unify the various German states under its banner, Prussia was involved in the American Civil War. There were several members of the military elite of Prussia that served as both officers and enlisted men in both armies...
- German Americans in the Civil War