12th Missouri Infantry By: Jon Stacy; Camp Historian, Col. F.K. Hecker Camp #443 (SUVCW) The 12th Missouri Infantry was organized by Major Peter J. Osterhaus, immediately after the 2nd Missouri Infantry was mustered out, on the orders of General John C. Fremont. Osterhaus sent Otto Schadt to St. Louis; to begin recruiting. Many of the soldiers of the 2nd Missouri (those that stayed with Osterhaus at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek) signed up into the new three year regiment, however, two companies from Belleville volunteered their services to Major Osterhaus, after his actions at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and he took charge of two companies of men, who at the time were unassigned. One company was raised almost entirely in Belleville; under the charge of Jacob Kaercher, which left Belleville for St. Louis on 6 August 1861. The other company was raised with men from Belleville, O’Fallon, Lebanon & from Summerfield; by Hugo A. Wangelin. Many of these men had previously served in the 9th Illinois Infantry (Three Months) and refused to reenlist in the regiment if Colonel Eleazar A. Paine continued to command it. It was stated that 92% of the regiment was born in Europe. Joseph Osterhaus, placed many of the Belleville men in higher position, since he already knew and trusted them. The 12th Missouri was organized on 10 September 1861 with Karecher’s Company being organized as Company A & Wangelin’s Company being organized as Company B. Hugo Wangelin was made a Major at organization. Their training period was brief, as they joined Fremont’s Advance into Central Missouri, where Osterhaus‘ tenure as Commander was effectively ended, as he was made their Division Commander, Major Wangelin took informal Command of the Regiment, in the absence of Lt. Colonel Schadt, who was still in St. Louis, training the remaining companies of the regiment. They took possession of the Missouri Capitol city without firing a shot, prior to marching on Sedalia & Springfield, Missouri. From there they marched to the former battleground of Wilson’s Creek for duty between 6-8 October 1861. They then returned to Rolla until January 1862; with the exception of being apart of the expedition to Danville, Missouri on 26 December 1861. In January 1862; General Samuel R. Curtis launched his Missouri Campaign; where they advanced on Springfield between 16-18 February 1862; before pursing Confederate General Sterling Price into Arkansas, from 18-28 February 1862. Operating in Northwest Arkansas; with the Confederates nearby, Osterhaus was commanding the 1st Division under General Franz Sigel; they went into action near Bentonville on 6 March. On the 7th of March; Osterhaus was ordered north to recon along the Leetown-Ford Road near Elkhorn Tavern, by General Curtis himself. Osterhaus found the main body of Confederates under McCulloch and ordered his cavalry to attack, and his infantry deployed to buy time, as word was sent to Curtis. The Cavalry and Infantry was literally stampeded, but the confusion that was created destroyed the rebel morale, as McCulloch was killed. Reinforcements were immediately sent under the command of Colonel Jefferson C. Davis (of the 36th Indiana), and once on the scene Osterhaus’ forces rallied, as they were able to box in the Confederate right flank, effectively saving the day for the Union. On the second day of the Battle of Pea Ridge; the 12th Missouri was involved in the infantry assault against Henry Little’s 1st Missouri Brigade (CSA), which only offered light resistance after an effective artillery barrage. After the battle, Osterhaus was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General; and command was passed to Major Hugo Wangelin, as Lt. Colonel Otto Schadt left the 12th Missouri to raise the 30th Missouri Infantry. Belleville resident Trolius Tyndale was badly wounded in the engagement, with severe wounds in the leg; and refusing to let anyone amputate it. The residents of Belleville went and brought him and other Belleville boys home to recuperate from their wounds. Tyndale suffered for nearly a year until he could use his leg again. Private Charles Becker lost an arm after being wounded in battle & Major Herman Tuerek was shot in the head, permanently blinding him in both of his eyes. Hugo A. Wangelin; was born in 1818, in Saxony, Prussia. He attended a government sponsored school & graduated as a cadet. In 1834; he came to the United States, locating in Cleveland, Ohio; where he met and married his wife. By 1841; he had returned to Prussia to fulfill his military service and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Wangelin had returned to the United States prior to the outbreak of the “Hecker Uprising”; and was not involved in the affair. Upon his return to Cleveland, he moved his family by wagon to a farm four miles east of Belleville; where he had gained employment as the farm manager. Sometime between 1849-50; he used his earnings to buy a mill and distillery in Lebanon. During this time, Wangelin became a prominent figure in the German Community in St. Clair County; making positive connections with Gustave Koerner, Frederich Hecker & Joseph Osterhaus. With Wangelin in command the 12th Missouri marched to Batesville, Arkansas (5 April- 3 May 1862), then marched to Helena, Arkansas (25 May- 14 July). The Twelfth Missouri was in the area, but was not directly involved in the Battle of Whitney’s Lane on 19th of May. On 14 June 1862; Hugo Wangelin was promoted to the rank of Colonel. They then took part in the White River Expedition (5-8 August 1862); before being ordered north to Fort Davidson, in Pilot Knob, Missouri; on 1 September 1862. Their stay at Fort Davidson was brief, as they were needed with the main army and they departed for St. Genevieve on 12 November and back to Helena, Arkansas; on 23 November. Once in Arkansas; the 12th Missouri was assigned to Major General W.T. Sherman’s XVIII Corps; 4th Division under Brigadier General Frederick Steele; 2nd Brigade under Brigadier General Charles E. Hovey. They departed onboard an armored gunboat of the U.S. Navy of the “Mosquito Fleet” on the Mississippi River; for a short time beginning on 22 December 1862; during the Yazoo Expedition. They participated in the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (26-28 December 1862); as General Steele attempted to turn the Confederate right, but was repulsed under heavy artillery fire. The 12th Missouri also took part in the Battle of Chickasaw Bluff on 29 December 1862. Afterwards, Sherman’s Corps was renumbered the XV Corps, prior to departing on an Expedition to Arkansas Post on 3 January 1863. The expedition included action at the Battle of Arkansas Post (10-11 January 1863); as General Steele was sent inland to find a flanking route, but failed due to swampy lands & impassible roads. The next day, Steele held the left flank in the early morning, and when the order to advance was given, the 12th Missouri moved forward. While a massive assault was planned, the Confederates surrendered Fort Hindman, after small arms fights began to break out. Following the successful expedition, the 12th Missouri was sent (17-23 January 1863) to Young’s Point and Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana for duty until April 1863. In April; the 12th Missouri was ordered back to the Vicksburg area as the city held the key to opening up the Mississippi River. Between 29 April & 2 May 1863; they conducted demonstrations against Haines & Drumgould’s Bluffs, during the Battle of Snyder’s Bluff. They then were involved in minor actions at Mississippi Springs, between 12-13 May 1863; and the Battle of Jackson on 14 May 1863. Afterwards, they were sent to the Vicksburg area and were assigned to Sherman’s XV Corps, Steele’s First Division and the 2nd Brigade under General Charles R. Woods; they were brigaded with the 3rd Missouri, 17th Missouri, 25th Iowa, 31st Iowa and the 76th Ohio. When General Grant attacked the Confederate strongholds around Vicksburg, the 12th Missouri was in the thick of it on 19 May 1863; as they were easily repulsed. When Grant ordered another assault on 22 May 1863; Steele’s Division spent all morning trying to get into position through a ravine, on the Mint Spring Bayou. By 4 PM, they attacked the position held by the 26th Louisiana; and heavy casualties were taken. Captain Christian Andel was killed, while his brother 1st Lieutenant Casimir Andel was severely wounded. Captain Albert Affleck was also severely wounded. After the disastrous assault, the 12th Missouri joined the Union effort and laid siege against the Confederates in the City of Vicksburg, until their surrender on the 4th of July. Lieutenant Andel was sent home to recuperate from his wounds. Following the Vicksburg Campaign, the 12th Missouri joined Sherman’s efforts to push the Confederates out of Central Mississippi and were involved in skirmishes at Bolton’s Deport (16 July), Briar Creek (17 July) and Clinton (18 July). Afterwards, they returned to camp at Big Black River until the 27th of September 1863. During this time, Belleville Constable Freidlander went to Vicksburg to visit his son Benjamin Friedlander (2nd Musician, Company D, 7th Missouri “Irish Seventh” Infantry) who was sick with camp fever and diarrhea. On his return trip, he brought the remains of Captain Christian Andel home, arriving on 9 August 1863; and the Captain was given a proper burial at Walnut Hill Cemetery on the following day. Lieutenant Casimir Andel returned to duty at the end of August, and was immediately promoted to Captain of Company D; then ordered to report to General P.J.