Augustus Meyers
Encyclopedia
Augustus Meyers was an American soldier during the Civil War
, best known for writing Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army, an account of his life in the military. The book is an important historical document, containing many unique descriptions of practices that would otherwise be unknown. Meyers was the first to write about the training he received at the School of Practice
on Governor's Island, New York, where Army musicians were trained.
After joining the Army at the age of twelve in 1854, Meyers served in the color guard
for the 2nd Infantry Regiment
, and then became the youngest sergeant in his company at age twenty-one. He was detailed as brigade commissary sergeant. Later in the war, during the battle for Petersburg
, Meyers was appointed acting ordinance sergeant.
At the end of the war, with the support of Col William F. Drum, Augustus was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Fifth New York volunteers, Duryea's Zouaves. Although so commissioned, he was not officially mustered in, choosing to return to civilian life instead. Nevertheless, he was permitted to participate in the group's activities as a veteran. In 1888, he served as a Vice Chairman of the dedication committee for the unveiling of the bronze statue of G. K. Warren at Little Round Top, Gettysburg. The statue by Karl Gerhardt
rests on the exact spot where Gen. Warren stood when looking over the field on July 2, 1863.
Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army was originally published by Stirling Press in 1914 and that edition was reprinted by Arno Press in 1979.
Augustus Meyers was born on June 20, 1841 in the community of Morschwyl, a part of the Borough of Rorschach, in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. He was baptised Johann Baptist August Maier. As was customary, upon arrival in the US, the family adopted a more American spelling for their name. Along with his widowed mother, Franziska (Benz) Maier, later known as Francis, he reached the United States in 1852. A half- brother, Joseph Peter Maier, remained behind. The family lost contact with Joseph and after the Civil War spent many years trying to locate him without success. They settled in New York City, but after a short time, having few options, Augustus joined the army. It was a testament to his self- determination that he eventually educated himself to be an effective author in English despite growing up speaking German and having had almost no formal education. After the war, he married Elizabeth Cozzens from Albany and was financially successful in the bluestone business. Later in his career, he developed several large warehouse buildings along the Hudson River which still stand today. On 11th Avenue spanning the block between 27th and 28th street his first large project measures 120000 square feet (11,148.4 m²). It is now included in the Chelsea historic district. Another building at 547 West 20th Street, aka 120 11th Avenue, now houses several art galleries. Augustus traveled widely and circled the world several times. He had six children and died in NYC in 1919.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, best known for writing Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army, an account of his life in the military. The book is an important historical document, containing many unique descriptions of practices that would otherwise be unknown. Meyers was the first to write about the training he received at the School of Practice
School of Practice
The School of Practice at Fort Columbus, Governors Island, in New York Harbor was the United States Army's institute for musical training before and during the American Civil War. Much of the historical documentation of the School comes from Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S...
on Governor's Island, New York, where Army musicians were trained.
After joining the Army at the age of twelve in 1854, Meyers served in the color guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
for the 2nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 2nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. It has served the United States for more than two hundred years. It is the third oldest regiment in the US Army with a Lineage date of 1808 and a history extending back to 1791...
, and then became the youngest sergeant in his company at age twenty-one. He was detailed as brigade commissary sergeant. Later in the war, during the battle for Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
, Meyers was appointed acting ordinance sergeant.
At the end of the war, with the support of Col William F. Drum, Augustus was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Fifth New York volunteers, Duryea's Zouaves. Although so commissioned, he was not officially mustered in, choosing to return to civilian life instead. Nevertheless, he was permitted to participate in the group's activities as a veteran. In 1888, he served as a Vice Chairman of the dedication committee for the unveiling of the bronze statue of G. K. Warren at Little Round Top, Gettysburg. The statue by Karl Gerhardt
Karl Gerhardt
Karl Gerhardt was a United States sculptor.-Biography:He attended Phillips School in Boston. By 1870 he was apprenticed to a house painter in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he later became a machinist at Ames Foundry...
rests on the exact spot where Gen. Warren stood when looking over the field on July 2, 1863.
Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army was originally published by Stirling Press in 1914 and that edition was reprinted by Arno Press in 1979.
Augustus Meyers was born on June 20, 1841 in the community of Morschwyl, a part of the Borough of Rorschach, in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. He was baptised Johann Baptist August Maier. As was customary, upon arrival in the US, the family adopted a more American spelling for their name. Along with his widowed mother, Franziska (Benz) Maier, later known as Francis, he reached the United States in 1852. A half- brother, Joseph Peter Maier, remained behind. The family lost contact with Joseph and after the Civil War spent many years trying to locate him without success. They settled in New York City, but after a short time, having few options, Augustus joined the army. It was a testament to his self- determination that he eventually educated himself to be an effective author in English despite growing up speaking German and having had almost no formal education. After the war, he married Elizabeth Cozzens from Albany and was financially successful in the bluestone business. Later in his career, he developed several large warehouse buildings along the Hudson River which still stand today. On 11th Avenue spanning the block between 27th and 28th street his first large project measures 120000 square feet (11,148.4 m²). It is now included in the Chelsea historic district. Another building at 547 West 20th Street, aka 120 11th Avenue, now houses several art galleries. Augustus traveled widely and circled the world several times. He had six children and died in NYC in 1919.