Rath, Christian, 1831-1920
Name Entries
person
Rath, Christian, 1831-1920
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Rath
Forename :
Christian
Date :
1831-1920
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Genders
Male
Exist Dates
Biographical History
Rath was born to Johann Adam and Anna Marie (Schlee) Rath in Pfalzgrafenweiler, Landkreis Freudenstadt, Baden-Württemberg, in modern Germany. At the age of 18, he left home to participate in the revolutionary movement sweeping the region at that time.
At the age of 19, he emigrated to the United States. He served in the United States Navy for a brief time, and then settled in Jackson, Michigan.
After the outbreak of the American Civil War, Rath enlisted in the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Execution of Lincoln conspirators
While detailed to the staff of Major General John F. Hartranft, Rath was assigned various duties related to the executions by hanging of Mary Surratt, Lewis Paine, David Herold, and George Atzerodt on July 7, 1865, due their guilty verdicts stemming from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. These duties included making and hanging the nooses, giving the command for the prisoners to be hung, and arranging for their bodies to be put into coffins and buried.
Rath was discharged from the Union Army on July 19, 1865, twelve days after his participation in the execution, and returned to his home in Jackson, Michigan.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q54878709
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21138367/christian-rath
Other Entity IDs (Same As)
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Languages Used
ger
Latn
eng
Latn
Subjects
Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862
Civil War, 1861-1865
Petersburg, Siege of, 1864-1865
Revolutionaries
Trials (Assassination)
Vicksburg, Siege of, 1863
Nationalities
Germans
Americans
Activities
Occupations
Postal clerks
Revolutionaries
Sailors
Shoemakers
Union Army soldiers
Legal Statuses
Places
Jackson
MI, US
AssociatedPlace
Death
Christian Rath died in Jackson, Michigan on February 14, 1920.
Pfalzgrafenweiler
01, DE
AssociatedPlace
Birth
Christian Rath was born in Germany on October 22, 1831.
Detroit
MI, US
AssociatedPlace
Work
Christian Rath was stationed at Detroit Barracks, Michigan.
Jackson
MI, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Christian Rath lived in Jackson, Michigan after serving in the US Navy and enlisted in the 17th Michigan Infantry.
Antietam
MD, US
AssociatedPlace
Work
Christian Rath was involved at the Battle of Antietam.
Washington City
DC, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Christian Rath was in command of the detail involved in guarding the Lincoln Conspirators and the execution of the death penalty related to the conspirator trail.
Vicksburg
MS, US
AssociatedPlace
Work
Christian Rath was involved in the Siege of Vicksburg.
Petersburg
VA, US
AssociatedPlace
Work
Christian Rath was involved in the Siege of Petersburg.
Knoxville
TN, US
AssociatedPlace
Work
Christian Rath was stationed at Knoxville, Tennessee.