Leopold Blumenberg

Home State: Maryland
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 5th Maryland Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
He joined the Prussian military at the age of 21 and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. But, like thousands of German Jews of the time, he found his further progress blocked by anti-Semitism. In 1854, he emigrated to Baltimore, where he established himself as a small manufacturer and joined Har Sinai, a Reform congregation that thrives to this day. (Balt City Paper, 10/4/2000)

He was commissioned a captain in the 5th Maryland Infantry on September 26, 1861, and was promoted to major in October.

In the Antietam Campaign:
The 5th Maryland, in Gen Max Weber's Brigade, was part of the assault on the Confederate positions in the sunken road at midday. Major Blumenberg was wounded in command of the Regiment and relieved by Capt. Bamberger then Capt. Marsh.

The remainder of the War:
[The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress contain the following sent in reply to LincolnÌs note of the same date requesting a pass for Isachar Zacharie and a hearing for Leopold Blumenberg.]

Washington City,Jany 25 1865
Mr President
An order for leave to Zacharie as directed by you has been issued & sent to Mr Nicolay.

In relation to Blumenburg -- I had no knowledge of the proceedings in his case they having transpired during my absence, but the Provost Marshal reports that he was removed for cause of which a statement will be furnished you. Among other things one charge was, cruelty in gaging men to make them confess they were deserters. This charge General Fry [Colonel James B. Fry, Provost Marshal General of the Army] reports was fully established.

Your Obdt Servt
Edwin M Stanton

Blumenberg was mustered out of the service in March 1863, probably as he was "crippled" by his Antietam wound, and appointed provost marshal for the 3rd District of Maryland in May 1863. In January 1865 Blumenberg was dismissed from the service. After Blumenberg's dismissal Lincoln appointed him superintendent of the warehouses at the Baltimore custom house.

References, Sources, and other notes:
Death notice: Maryland Archives, Death Record, BC, Index 1875-1880, MSA S 1483

More on the Web:
See a brief piece on his Baltimore decendents, a source for info above. The Lincoln Papers referred to are online

Birth State: Germany
Death Date: 8/12/1876 Death Place: Baltimore, MD Burial Place: Har Sinai Cemetery, Baltimore, MD

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