Henry Bohlen Henry Bohlen ( October 22 , 1810 – August 22 , 1862 ) was an American Civil War Union Brigadier General . Before becoming the first foreign - born Union general in the Civil War , he fought in the Mexican - American War ( on the U . S . side ) , and in the Crimean War ( on the French side ) . Biography . Bohlen was born in Bremen , Germany on October 22 , 1810 , while his parents were traveling in Europe for pleasure . His father was a naturalized citizen of the United States and domiciled in Philadelphia . When Bohlen was very young , his father placed him in one of the first military colleges in Germany . In 1832 however , he was called to the U . S . before he had completed his studies . He did not return to Germany to complete his studies . After immigrating to the United States , Bohlen became a rich dealer of foreign wines and liquor . Mexican - American War . When war with Mexico broke out he accepted a position on the staff of his friend and companion , General Worth , as a volunteer Aide - de - camp . During the war he participated in all the battles under Major - General Scott . When the war ended he resigned his commission and returned to selling liquor in Philadelphia . Crimean War . Due to the health of his son , he traveled to Europe . When the Crimean War broke out , he entered the service of the allies , on the French staff . During the war he took part in the siege , storming and the final surrender of Sevastopol . After the war ended , he lived in the Netherlands until he heard word of the firing on and surrender of Fort Sumter . American Civil War . In 1861 he was granted permission to recruit a regiment in Philadelphia , which was made up of mostly German emigrants at the out break of the American Civil War . He played a key role in organizing the 75th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry , and he was named its Colonel and commander on September 30 , 1861 . He served in the division of Louis Blenker . Bohlen was appointed Brigadier General , U . S . Volunteers , on April 28 , 1862 . He commanded the 3rd Brigade of Carl Schurz ' s Division in the 1862 Valley Campaign against Stonewall Jackson . His brigade covered the retreat of the Union forces at the Battle of Cross Keys and also participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain . While conducting reconnaissance on the Rappahannock River during the initial stages of the Northern Virginia Campaign , Bohlen was killed when his force was attempting to recross the river . On August 26 , 1862 , " The New York Times " reprinted an article from " The Philadelphia Press " about the death of Bohlen : And the army was safely across the Rappahannock , still nearest the enemy , Bohlen ' s brigade was fighting continually , and unfortunately for the country and its cause . . . Bohlen was observed by a rebel sharpshooter , while riding across the field , directing the movements of his troops , and shot through the head . There were rumors that Bohlen was killed by one of his own men , but evidence suggests that he was liked by his troops and that he died from enemy fire . Bohlen was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia . Family . The Bohlen family tree includes his grandson Nazi industrialist Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach and his great - great - nephew Charles Bohlen a United States diplomat from 1929 to 1969 and Soviet expert .