Gen. Jones Frankle

[John Hartwell]

Jones Frankle (that's his first name as consistently given in all the records) was Prussian by birth, born April 17, 1829, in Fulz, Silesia. Like so many others, he had fought in the Rebellion of 1848. But, as one of his men put it, "he did not 'fight mit Sigel' but against him." At 14, he entered the Gymnasium in Breslau, and at 19, the University in that city. He also enlisted in the Prussian Army as a probationary volunteer "to serve for promotion." The system was that if, after a year in the ranks, a soldier could pass the examination, he was received as an officer in the regular service.

"At the close of the year, young Frankle passed the examination and qualified for lieutenant in the landwehr, or reserve force, of the regular army. In the meantime the dispute with Denmark, in regard to boundary, and other matters, known as the Scleswig-Holstein affair, had led to hostilities between Prussia and Denmark, and the regiment to which Lieutenant Frankle was attached was ordered to the scene of strife. This was in 1848. In this war and subsequently he served two years, when he returned to the University to resume his studies." [Memorial History of the 17th Regiment Mass. Vol. Inf. (1911), p. 72]

Jones Frankle emigrated to the U.S. in 1854, settling in northeastern Massachusetts, where he found employment teaching in high schools, and private classes in the German and French languages. He enrolled in a West Newbury militia company, and was made lieutenant. In the summer of 1862, his company was merged into the newly formed Massachusetts 14th Infantry. But, it was the fate of that regiment to never see service. While still organizing, it was transformed into the 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery, and rushed to the front. But at the time Capt. Frankle's Company, like several others, was only partly filled. It's men were distributed among other companies, and Frankle found himself without a command.

 

[John Hartwell]

In view of his experience, however, a new assignment was soon provided for the disappointed Frankle: as Major in the 17th Regiment, MVI, which was just organizing at Camp Schouler in Lynnfield. The regiment left for North Carolina on August 31, 1862, and took up station in the defenses of Newbern. Maj. Frankle was a strict disciplinarian, yet fair minded, and very popular among the men. Known as "the Little Major," or "our pony major," ("pony" because of his small stature) innumerable stories were told about him. Most of these played on his thick German accent.

They halted near a dwelling house, when some of the men went into an adjoining negro hut, where a pot of meat and cabbage was in process of being cooked, which they proceeded to confiscate; but just as they had commenced their feast [Major Frankle] came up and drove them off, saying:
"Dum zee, did zee coom here to ploonder."
At the same time, it was asserted, though I don't believe it, that the officer who thus drove them from the feast had his pockets filled with sweet potatoes and other " ploonder." Three prisoners were taken. One of them a lad about 16 years old, was thus interrogated by the Major:

" Vat for you be guerilla for ?"
"I'm not a guerilla, sir; I'm in the regular Confederate service."
"Vat for you lay in ambush, den ?"
"I didn't lay in any bush, sir; I was standing behind a tree."
"Ha! You be von rascally guerilla, and ve vill shtring you
up to a tree, ven ve arrive in Newbern !" [Soldiering in North Carolina (1864) p.25]

But it is needless to say this threat was not carried out.

Normally a stickler about the prohibition on "ploonder", he could on occasion overlook a little unlawful foraging:

"Vat?" he asked the complaining farmer, "all your shickens gone? You may be tankful it vas no more! If you did not have more to eat than my men, and march and fight so hard, I tink you vould take a little shicken, too!" [ibid.]

But, Maj. Frankle was also a courageous and skilled officer, his talents well appreciated by his superiors.

 

[John Hartwell]

"In the early part of 1863, Major-General Foster noting how inadequately the city of Newberne was defended from attack by land (and there had been several attacks made by the Confederates up to that time) wrote to Governor Andrew, suggesting that a regiment of heavy artillery be raised and equipped by the state of Massachusetts, and recommending that Major Frankle be commissioned to raise and command such a regiment. In response to this request, Governor Andrew issued an order for the recruitment of such a regiment in the state, appointing Major Frankle as colonel of the same. The major returned to Boston, ia May, 1863, and began the work of enlisting the new regiment. He met with such success that in September of that year he had the regiment recruited to its full complement of 1800 men, and returned with it to Newberne, where he manned the forts about the city." [Memorial History ... p. 73]

While Colonel Frankle was in command of the defences of Newberne, the yellow fever broke out, and raged with violence in that city and its vicinity. At this time, General Palmer, who was in command of the district of North Carolina, went to Washington, and General Harland, who commanded the district of Newbern, assumed his duties. This change left that post vacant, and Colonel Frankle assumed command of the Newbern district. He also served as Assistant Inspector general on Gen. Foster's staff, as Provost Marshall of the District of North Carolina, Military Governor of Plymouth, N.C.

Col. Frankle remained on duty in North Carolina after his regiment was mustered out. And, in Sept. 1865, was made Brigadier General by Brevet, "for gallant and meritorious services in the Department of North Carolina."

After his discharge that fall, Gen. Frankle returned to Massachusetts, living the rest of his life on his farm in Amesbury. He was employed mainly in the insurance business in Haverhill and Boston. He married Anna Blasdell in Amesbury, Mass. on March 8th, 1866, the couple had no children.

Jones Frankle died in Cambridge, while undergoing surgery for prostatitis on April 19, 1909.

 

[Pat Young]

Thanks for letting us know about him. How did you get interested?

 

[John Hartwell]

Thanks for letting us know about him. How did you get interested?

I read a lot of regimental histories -- mainly New England regiments, and there's a brief outline of Frankle's life in the history of the 17th Mass.

Here's his Find-a-grave record, btw.

 

[Pat Young]

I read a lot of regimental histories -- mainly New England regiments, and there's a brief outline of Frankle's life in the history of the 17th Mass.

Here's his Find-a-grave record, btw.

Thanks.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Very cool history, thank very! It may be a little hokey, always appreciate the chance to pay respects at one of their graves.