Rath, Christian, 1831-1920
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.
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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creatorOf | Withington, William Herbert, 1835-1903. William Herbert Withington papers, 1861-1909. | Bentley Historical Library | |
referencedIn | William H. Withington Papers [microform], 1853-1909 | Bentley Historical Library | |
creatorOf | Withington, William Herbert, 1835-1903. William Herbert Withington papers, 1861-1909 [microform] | Bentley Historical Library |
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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referencedIn | Consolidated Military Officer's File of J F Hartrauft, District of Columbia, 1865 | United States. National Archives and Records Administration | |
referencedIn | Rath, Christian - State: Michigan - Year: 1865 | United States. National Archives and Records Administration | |
referencedIn | Compiled Military Service Record of Captain Christian Rath, Companies G and I, 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment | United States. National Archives and Records Administration | |
referencedIn | Approved Pension File for Captain Christian Rath, Companies G and I, 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment (SC-419651) | United States. National Archives and Records Administration | |
referencedIn | Rath, Christian - Unit: 17th Infantry, Company: G,I - Enlistment Rank: 2 Lieut, Discharge Rank: Capt | United States. National Archives and Records Administration |
Filters:
Relation | Name | |
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memberOf | United States. Army. Michigan Infantry Regiment, 17th (1862-1865) | corporateBody |
memberOf | United States. Navy | corporateBody |
employeeOf | United States Postal Service | corporateBody |
associatedWith | Withington, William Herbert, 1835-1903. | person |
Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
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Jackson | MI | US | |
Pfalzgrafenweiler | 01 | DE | |
Detroit | MI | US | |
Jackson | MI | US | |
Antietam | MD | US | |
Washington City | DC | US | |
Vicksburg | MS | US | |
Petersburg | VA | US | |
Knoxville | TN | US |
Subject |
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Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 |
Civil War, 1861-1865 |
Petersburg, Siege of, 1864-1865 |
Revolutionaries |
Trials (Assassination) |
Vicksburg, Siege of, 1863 |
Occupation |
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Postal clerks |
Revolutionaries |
Sailors |
Shoemakers |
Union Army soldiers |
Activity |
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Person
Birth 1831-10-22
Death 1920-02-14
Male
Germans,
Americans
German,
English