Francis (Franz) Mahler (1826–1863) was an officer in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

. He was mortally wounded on the first day of the

Battle of Gettysburg The Battle of Gettysburg () was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. In the battle, Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Po ...

. He died in a field hospital three days later.

Early life

Mahler was born in

Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in South Germany, in earlier times on both sides of the Upper Rhine but since the Napoleonic Wars only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Baden originated from the House of Zähringen. Baden i ...

, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on August 1, 1826. He was involved with the uprising of 1848–1849, and was a comrade of future Union General Carl Schurz during this period. Mahler was captured and was condemned to death for his part. However, he managed to escape. He came to the United States in 1851 at 24 years of age. He arrived in New York on the SS ''Charlemagne'' on August 20 of that year. Mahler married Jennie M. (March 26, 1832 – March 29, 1918) from Massachusetts.

Civil War service

In August 1861, following the outbreak of the American Civil War, Mahler assisted

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

liquor merchant

Henry Bohlen Henry Bohlen (October 22, 1810 – August 22, 1862) was a German-American Union Army, Union Brigadier general (United States), Brigadier General of the American Civil War. Before becoming the first foreign-born Union general in the Civil War, he f ...

to recruit and organize a regiment. This unit would eventually be designated the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mahler was named lieutenant colonel. When Colonel

was promoted to

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

, on July 20, 1862, Mahler received his commission as

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...

and took command of the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mahler was wounded while leading the regiment on the second day at the Second Battle of Bull Run. At the

Battle of Chancellorsville The Battle of Chancellorsville, April 30 – May 6, 1863, was a major battle of the American Civil War (1861–1865), and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville campaign. Chancellorsville is known as Lee's "perfect battle" because h ...

, the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry was one of the first units subjected to General "Stonewall" Jackson's flank attack, and was routed along with the rest of the 11th Corps.

Death at Gettysburg

During the

, the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry was heavily engaged on the first day (July 1, 1863), in open fields north of town. The men of this unit, having advanced a considerable distance after passing through the town, held ground just east of the Carlisle Road. The fighting intensified with the collapse of other regiments forming the Union line, and the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry was exposed to a murderous fire, that rapidly depleted the ranks. Mahler was wounded in the leg at the same time that his horse was shot out from under him. He managed to extricate himself from under the animal and, although crippled, continued to direct the troops under his command. However, as the regiment began to fall back, having been outflanked by the Confederates, Mahler received a mortal gunshot wound. Lieutenant T. Albert Steiger, at considerable risk to his own life, went to Mahler's assistance. Mahler was carried from the field with General Carl Schurz clasping his hand and weeping. Mahler's brother, Lieutenant Louis Mahler, a member of the same regiment, was also killed during this same firefight. However, it is unclear whether Mahler was aware of his brother's death. Mahler died in a

field hospital A field hospital is a temporary hospital or mobile medical unit that takes care of casualties on-site before they can be safely transported to more permanent facilities. This term was initially used in military medicine (such as the Mobile A ...

at Gettysburg on the morning of July 4, 1863. He was 37 years old. Mahler is buried in Section B, Lot 263 of Mount Peace Cemetery in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahler, Francis German emigrants to the United States Union Army colonels 1826 births 1863 deaths Burials at Mount Peace Cemetery People from Baden-Baden Union military personnel killed in the American Civil War