Lincoln Tad Lincoln's pal

[frontrank2]

Born in Westphalia, Germany, Gustav Schurmann immigrated to America with his parents while he was an infant. The Schurmanns settled in New York City. Coming from a musically gifted family, Gustav enlisted at age 12 as a drummer boy with the 40th New York Volunteers, aka the Mozart Regiment. He soon became a bugler and displayed bravery and reliability, often riding into battle with such generals as Phil Kearny, Dan Sickles, and David B. Birney. When Sickles leg was severed at Gettysburg, young Gus used his handkerchief to make a tourniquet. Then during a troop inspection by the President, he met Tad Lincoln and befriended him. Subsequently he was invited to the White House and during one of their escapades, had a backstage chat with none other than the famed actor John Wilkes Booth! Gus ended his military career as a 15 year old sergeant and a veteran of ten battles. He had hoped to enter West Point, but his lack of formal schooling and the necessity of supporting his widowed mother ended his dreams. He remained active in veterans organizations and died in 1905 of tuberculosis at the age of 56.

 

[LoriAnn]

Gus ended his military career as a 15 year old sergeant and a veteran of ten battles.

Wow.

He had hoped to enter West Point, but his lack of formal schooling and the necessity of supporting his widowed mother ended his dreams. He remained active in veterans organizations and died in 1905 of tuberculosis at the age of 56.

Argh, I hate these not-so-happy endings!

Born in Westphalia, Germany,

That's where my GG Gramps Frank was from.

Here's a quick C-SPAN interview clip about him with author William Styple.

 

[kholland]

Born in Westphalia, Germany, Gustav Schurmann immigrated to America with his parents while he was an infant. The Schurmanns settled in New York City. Coming from a musically gifted family, Gustav enlisted at age 12 as a drummer boy with the 40th New York Volunteers, aka the Mozart Regiment. He soon became a bugler and displayed bravery and reliability, often riding into battle with such generals as Phil Kearny, Dan Sickles, and David B. Birney. When Sickles leg was severed at Gettysburg, young Gus used his handkerchief to make a tourniquet. Then during a troop inspection by the President, he met Tad Lincoln and befriended him. Subsequently he was invited to the White House and during one of their escapades, had a backstage chat with none other than the famed actor John Wilkes Booth! Gus ended his military career as a 15 year old sergeant and a veteran of ten battles. He had hoped to enter West Point, but his lack of formal schooling and the necessity of supporting his widowed mother ended his dreams. He remained active in veterans organizations and died in 1905 of tuberculosis at the age of 56.

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Another incredible story from this era!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Bet he still had quite a fulfilling life between war's end and 1905? Can you imagine how much of a leg up on life this person had s far as meeting challenges? Nothing could intimidate him as a young man ' starting out '. Can we assume he had a wife and family by the time he died? Even if West Point was denied him, you'd have to guess he'd become the kind of guy who did not hang around waiting for something to come along, bet he went for it.

Thanks for posting his story- hope he did have children, can't imagine how proud they would have been.

 

[frontrank2]

Bet he still had quite a fulfilling life between war's end and 1905? Can you imagine how much of a leg up on life this person had s far as meeting challenges? Nothing could intimidate him as a young man ' starting out '. Can we assume he had a wife and family by the time he died? Even if West Point was denied him, you'd have to guess he'd become the kind of guy who did not hang around waiting for something to come along, bet he went for it.

Thanks for posting his story- hope he did have children, can't imagine how proud they would have been.

He had a wife who died 2 months before him, and they had one daughter.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Here is the passenger data file from his immigration (interesting site, btw!):

http://www.germanimmigrants1850s.com/index.php?id=1599660

 

[Seduzal]

Wow another interesting story of history found! Thanks for sharing.

 

[donna]

Great story. Thanks for posting.

 

[donna]

He has Memorial on Find A Grave. So do his wife and daughter.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6128751