Charles F. Hinrichs Papers
When the United States erupted into Civil War in 1961, the Union found itself in dire need of recruits. Luckily for them, a solution presented itself. German immigrants began to show up in hordes to fight for the Union. The support showed by German immigrants is often credited as being a large part of the reason the Union eventually won. While this may be exaggerated for other parts of the Nation, it is largely true for Missouri. One of the most important events that German Americans took part in was the camp Jackson Affair.
The Camp Jackson Affair was a battle that took place directly outside of St. Louis. At the time, Missouri was a slave state and was close to leaving the Union in support of the Confederacy. However, the Camp Jackson Affair was able to prevent this. A Union-led militia, consisting of largely German Americans, attacked the confederate-controlled Camp Jackson. This decisive victory helped secure Missouri in the Union and was largely due to German Americans.
In Missouri, German immigrants came from all over to support Lincoln and the Union. From the rural communities of the bootheel to the metropolis of St. Louis. They did this for many reasons. Many had a strong belief in emancipation while many more still simply strongly supported the Union. This brings us to Charles F. Hinrich.
Born in Germany on February 15th, 1828, Hinrich came to America in 1844. He eventually settled in Cape Girardeau in 1847 where he lived until 1861 when he enlisted in the Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He served in Company L in the 10th Missouri Volunteer Calvary as a Lieutenant until he was promoted to Captain in August 1863. While in the Missouri Calvary, he kept a diary. Looking at this diary, one can see what life was like for a German American in the Civil War. One entry details something as mundane as the trade of 20 horses and 1 mule. Another event appears to be exciting, the capture of 3 horses, but so little detail is given that no story can be ascertained.
Hinrich is a perfect example of German Americans in Missouri during the time of the Civil War. He is educated enough to speak and read English, so well in fact that he writes his diary in English. His diary is written in English cursive that, while beautiful, is incredibly difficult to read.
Hinrich has enough wealth to become a higher-up office in the calvary. This combination of wealth and education is emblematic of other German Americans. They were not fabulously wealthy but had enough money to cross the Atlantic and come all the way to Missouri. Along the way, they became well versed in English and were able to write in it. The diary of Charles Hinrich provides a rich context for the role of German Americans in the American Civil War.
After coming over to America, German Americans became a vital part of the Nation. Staunch defenders of the Union, many German American immigrants showed up in droves to support Lincoln. German Americans like Hinrich were a large part of the reason that the Union was able to win the Civil War. The diary kept by Henrich gives a small glimpse into what life might have been like for these German American immigrants.
