Joseph Indest

Joseph Indest (1818–1868) was a Bavarian-born military officer and a Union Army Captain during the American Civil War.
==Early life==
In 1818, he was born in the Bavarian town of LandauThe National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: St Louis Ward 2, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri; Roll: 415; Page: 248a to his father Dr.Joseph Indest (1779-1861) and his mother Barbra Mueller (Unknown -1837). His father was a medical officer in the Bavarian Military from 1815 to his death in 1861. 
As a young adult, he attended a military academy in the area as a cadet. In December of 1843 he was commissioned as an under-lieutenant and served in an infantry regiment in Furth, Bavaria. Around this time he married his first wife, Felicitas Hoeffing. 
==Immigration to US==
Although sources are conflicted on the time and nature of his departure from Bavaria, passenger lists show a “Joe Indest” arriving in New Orleans on March 8, 1847. It is speculated that he left due to his involvement in the early stages of the movement that would become the Revolutions of 1848 shortly after his departure. 
He left for the United States via the port in Le Havre, France and arrived in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana. By the beginning of 1848 he had made his way to St Louis where he set up shop as an architect. By 1860 he had transitioned to being a Civil Engineer for the city of St. LouisThe National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Carondelet, St. Louis, Missouri; Roll: M653_656; Page: 560; Family History Librar. It was during this time he had his three sons Frederick (1849), Joseph (1852) and Louis (1854).  
==Third Missouri Volunteers==
On April 22, 1861 the 3rd Missouri Volunteers were formed and Joseph was appointed as a captain. During this enlistment he saw action in the capture of Camp Jackson and the battle of Wilson’s Creek. During the fighting at Wilson's Creek, he was wounded by a bullet to the leg. 
==Third Missouri Infantry==
On January 18, 1862, the 3rd Missouri Volunteers were consolidated unto the 3rd Missouri infantry regiment. Joseph maintained the rank of Captain. 
==Capture==
While scouting around Searcy Landing, Joseph was wounded and captured by Confederate forces in the area. He was imprisoned at a location near Little Rock, Arkansas. His confinement ended on July 31 1862 when he was paroled from Confederate custody. 
==Late war==
Upon his return to the 3rd Missouri, Joseph resumed his command of his unit. He was present at the siege and capture of Vicksburg and the beginning movements of Sherman’s march to the sea. He was later placed on detached duties in Washington DC due to injuries sustained during his earlier capture. He resigned his commission on March 24, 1864.
==Postwar==
After the end of the Civil War, Joseph returned to St. Louis and resumed work as a Civil engineer and draftsman. In recognition of his service, he was granted 100 aAcres in Missouri in late 1865. His wife Felicitas Hoeffing, a southern sympathizer, had moved to New Iberia, Louisiana during the war. Though there is no record of a divorce, Joseph remarried to Wilhelmine “Minnie” Voelknerin July of 1867.Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm]
==Death==
Joseph died on July 6, 1868 in part due to complication from wounds received during the Civil War. 
Category:1818 births
Category:1868 deaths
Category:People from Bavaria
Category:Military officers