Anschütz, Karl Heinrich, 1840-1863?

Karl Anschütz was born in Zella-Mehlis, Thüringen, Germany, on August 24, 1840, and in 1852 emigrated to the United States with his parents, Georg and Elizabeth (Barthelmes), his brothers Anton (b. 1845), Reinhold (b. 1847), Johannes (b. 1849), and Eduard (b. 1851), and sister Christiane (b. 1838). During the ocean crossing, Georg was stricken with blindness, and never again regained his sight. The older Anschütz boys were therefore put into the position of having to support the family, which they apparently did quite well. The family ran a prosperous farm near Saginaw, Michigan, but in 1865, they moved to East Tawas, Michigan, where members of the family still reside.

On November 8, 1861, Karl Anschütz enlisted for three years' duty in Company C of the 15th Michigan Infantry at Detroit, mustering in to the federal service on December 24th. The regiment prepared for active duty at Fort Wayne, and after a languorous winter, they were thrust suddenly into the thick of the conflict, joining Grant's Army of the West shortly before the Battle of Shiloh late in March, 1862. During the battle, Anschütz reported, the regiment was unduly exposed to fire due to poor generalship, sustaining 97 casualties as a result, including 33 deaths. Taking no time to heal their wounds, the regiment pursued the Confederate army to Corinth, Mississippi, where they remained for several months. The 15th Michigan saw continual action at Corinth, taking part in the siege and capture of the city in May, and its defense against Earl Van Dorn's all-out assault on October 3-4. Throughout the year the regiment spent in northern Mississippi, they were also regularly harassed by the very effective Confederate guerrilla cavalry, and they responded with equal violence and success against the citizenry that supported (and comprised) the guerrillas.

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