The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-27
rwENrIErH RrGnIENr, GERMAN RIFLEs.

TWENTIETH REGIMENT, GERMAN RIFLES.
SKETCHES OF THE FIELD oFFIckRs.
he singular Circumstance thai, as soon ~ the pro-
sent difficulties occurred involving our country IN war
terrible In ~ aspects and lasng probably a. ong a. me
thirty years campaign German fellow citizens have
noby forward and rendered their services and ex
perence the side Of law and the maintenance OF the
integrity and honor Of our Union.
The Germans a. general thing, are peaceful class,
but, once roused their spirit Ia indomitabe Reared IN
their country to The Of firearms nearly every child
their credit be II said they their skill sharp
shooters only when right their side, and then II 10
turned to effective account There q this moment
Elk different German regiments In this city, three Of
whom have been formally mustered into the United States
service The first of these bodies Of troops recruited
by Colonel Lewis Bnker, officer or great experience,
and the hero Of numberless battles.
The second 10 the Union Turner Rifles, Twentieth regi
ment, Colonel MAJ Weber, who ID also an efficient ar
tlery officer and has considerable active service
during the German revolutions OF 4S and 40 Colonel
Bendx OF the Steuben regiment, is well known Lieu
tenant Colonel Of the Eleventh regiment New York State
Militia, and possesses an extensive knowledge Of military
tactics.
As il 10 Of considerable interest at present to
know who the officers are that lead the troops pro-
pose TO give short biographical sketch Of the life and
OF the various officers The first In the course
win be Colonel Louis Blenker, Of the Eighth regiment,
German Rifles
CooLe Benker was born in the year 1875 In the city
Of Worms Dukedom Of Baden in Germany, and 10 Oonse
quenty forty yeaIs Of age At the age OF fifteen he
entered the Polytechnic Institute and graduated with
h0nors In 1882 From this period he entered the army
n Greece Lieutenant, under Colonel F.ubier, and
served until after the landing Of King Otto. BE was
army the Sparta and Nina campaign. For two years
be was concerned in some OF the most extensive battles
Gaphtens he assisted in the fortifcatons and distn
guished himself particularly at Achno and st. Marino.
In the meantime the subject Of our sketch bad been pro-
mentioned ents, King otto st further advanced
Colonel BleBker, by placing him on his staff and deco
rated him with two medals OF honor.
number OF battles fought in the period from 1882 TO
1887 under the sole command OF Colonel Benker
Such the confidence placed Ia his military capacity
ndomitabie courage and strategic skl that no officer
was allowed to supercede him In his chief command
conclusion Of the Grecian campaign Colonel Henker
which long and tedious camp life had greatly impaired
where he remained until the revolution spread over the
German continent, when he hied 70 his native land 20
offer his services the conflict He at elected
Colonel of the National Guard and his first expedition
10 the Pialtz AT the s.orrnng Of Ludwigs haven,
his troops put the Bavaran troops 70 flight General
MeI eslaweky Commander in Chief OF the Baden troops
passed the Of the Baden ana Paz troops to the
intrepid Colonel who fosght the battle of Gensback With
great determination and effect The order TO withdraw
from the Pfaz TO Baden being Issued Colonel Benkers
command selected as the right wng-the guard Of
honor TO the General After the withdrawal OF General
Miereslawsky and General Franz Segel (now Colonel In
the United States army at st. LOUSY, Colonel Benker
COmman0er-ln
verses however, followed, and his command was driven
TO Switzerland from whence he and the most of his fol
lowers were exied to this country. he arrived in the
United States in 1851 and purchased fine farm Rock
land county where he has pursued the peaceful avocaton
OF q farmer for ten years,
After the proclamation OF President Lincoln, on the
18th ult Cncnnatus like Colonel Benker left his plow
and huckled his sword to do battle In behalf OF the
country that offered him asylum IN his exile His for
mer deeds Of vslor are sufficient indications Of ms future
career.
Lieutenant Colonel julius stahe Of the Twentieth regi
ment is also the hero Of number Of battles numerous
wounds covering his body BE is native OF Hungary,
and thirty six years OF age In 1916 he entered the Aus
ian army Lieutenant where he served until the be-
ginning Of the Hungarian revolution, when he took sides
with his country and appointed Adutant 10 General
Guyon. At the commencement he was at the storming
of Fort Komoru; where they compelled the enemy TO
raise the sege From here he laid up sick and dis
abed for some time. As soon as he was convalcscent
he appointed officer on General Gorgeys staff,
with whom he participated IN the battles Of scnweneras.
Acs Qhe bridge over the Dsnube), lgiau, schenedhz
and the stoimlng OF Branzkau. At the last engage
ment Lieutenant Colonel Sahel wounded to such
extent that the geons advised the ampuaton Of both
legs For his bravery at Komoru he decorated with
the Hungarian order Of the army After the revolution
he travelled Europe and finally came to this country
four years and half ago Here he has been engaged
journalist on one Of the illustrated newspapers in this
city.
the New York State Militia and good tactcan AMI SOL
der. BE has. however, never been in battle yet
Adjutant John rrzeriatz Is native Of Warsaw Poland,
and was Adutant TO General schneider Of the Pfaltz
Baden army, in which position he distinguished
himself highly. During his residence In New York
ne has followed several occupations but atterly has
peen attached TO the Metropolitan Police a. sergeant.
Nearly every one OF the line officers participant in
the revolution Lieutenant Struve although he has as
sumed 30 mooest position is theless worthy OF
being mentioned in connection with this regiment In
S4S and 1S4s he was Governor Of Baden His previous
life having beer devoted to bitterly opposing despotsm
when the revolution ensued, he threw all his energies
his wealth and influence in the scale of liberty The
liberal cause, however, suffered and among the thou
sands OF brave exes Governor Sruve settled in the Unit
ca States and became one OF our honored and influential
oszens. BE Is the a1thor Of the "History of the
World and number OF other German productions o!
literature Governor Struve born In the year 1907
in the province Of Odenburg