Wagner was born August 4, 1838, in Giessen, Germany. He moved with his parents to the United States at age 11 and eventually learned the trade of a lithograph printer.
Wagner was wounded in action again at the Battle of Chancellorsville and returned to Philadelphia where he was recovering but deemed unfit for service in the field. During his recovery, Wagner was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and he volunteered for the command of Camp William Penn, the first United States Army training camp for African American soldiers. Upon a surgeon's recommendation, Wagner received the command and was detached from his regiment during the entire time that the camp was in operation.
Wagner was eventually promoted colonel and served as commander of the 5th Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard until the war's end.
For meritorious service during the war, Wagner received a promotion to brevetbrigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, March 13, 1865.
Post-war serviceEdit
After the war, Wagner served as commissioner of public works for Philadelphia and was very active in the Grand Army of the Republic, both at the local, state, and national levels.
Wagner was a charter member and first commander of G.A.R. Post #6 in Germantown, November 13, 1866. The following year he was elected Commander of the Pennsylvania Department and both Junior Vice-Commander and Commander-in-Chief in 1870. He served as Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, 1871-1872. Wagner was elected 9th Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R. in 1880 at the national encampment in Dayton, Ohio.
During his membership with the G.A.R., from 1868 to 1913, he only missed two national encampments.
Wagner died January 15, 1914, at his home in Germantown and is buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.[1]
Grand Army of the Republic. Final Journal of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1866-1956 (Washington, DC: U.S. Govt. Print. Off.), 1957.
^Eicher, John; Eicher, David (2001). Civil War High Commands. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 547. ISBN0-8047-3641-3. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
louis, wagner, american, general, louis, wagner, august, 1838, january, 1914, german, born, american, military, infantry, officer, served, union, army, commander, chief, grand, army, republic, 1880, 1881, louis, wagnerborn, 1838, august, 1838giessen, grand, du. Louis Wagner August 4 1838 January 15 1914 was a German born American military infantry officer who served in the Union Army and as the 9th Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic 1880 1881 Louis WagnerBorn 1838 08 04 August 4 1838Giessen Grand Duchy of HesseDiedJanuary 15 1914 1914 01 15 aged 75 Germantown PennsylvaniaPlace of burialIvy Hill CemeteryPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAllegianceUnited States of AmericaUnionService wbr branchUnited States ArmyUnion ArmyYears of service1861 1865RankColonel Brevet Brigadier GeneralUnit88th Pennsylvania InfantryCommands held5th Brigade Pennsylvania National GuardBattles warsAmerican Civil War Battle of Cedar Mountain First Battle of Rappahannock Station Battle of Thoroughfare Gap Battle of Groveton Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of ChancellorsvilleOther work9th Commander in Chief Grand Army of the Republic Contents 1 Early life and military career 2 Post war service 3 See also 4 ReferencesEarly life and military career EditWagner was born August 4 1838 in Giessen Germany He moved with his parents to the United States at age 11 and eventually learned the trade of a lithograph printer Wagner enlisted in August 1861 with the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and was mustered in September 13 1861 and commissioned 1st lieutenant of Company D He rose to the rank of captain of Company D and was wounded in action at the Second Battle of Bull Run and captured but paroled and recovered in hospital at Alexandria Virginia for his distinguished service during the battle he was promoted to major of the regiment Wagner was wounded in action again at the Battle of Chancellorsville and returned to Philadelphia where he was recovering but deemed unfit for service in the field During his recovery Wagner was promoted to lieutenant colonel and he volunteered for the command of Camp William Penn the first United States Army training camp for African American soldiers Upon a surgeon s recommendation Wagner received the command and was detached from his regiment during the entire time that the camp was in operation Wagner was eventually promoted colonel and served as commander of the 5th Brigade Pennsylvania National Guard until the war s end For meritorious service during the war Wagner received a promotion to brevet brigadier general of U S Volunteers March 13 1865 Post war service EditAfter the war Wagner served as commissioner of public works for Philadelphia and was very active in the Grand Army of the Republic both at the local state and national levels Wagner was a charter member and first commander of G A R Post 6 in Germantown November 13 1866 The following year he was elected Commander of the Pennsylvania Department and both Junior Vice Commander and Commander in Chief in 1870 He served as Senior Vice Commander in Chief 1871 1872 Wagner was elected 9th Commander in Chief of the G A R in 1880 at the national encampment in Dayton Ohio During his membership with the G A R from 1868 to 1913 he only missed two national encampments Wagner died January 15 1914 at his home in Germantown and is buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery Philadelphia 1 See also Edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp American Civil War portalList of Grand Army of the Republic Commanders in ChiefReferences EditGrand Army of the Republic Final Journal of the Grand Army of the Republic 1866 1956 Washington DC U S Govt Print Off 1957 Eicher John Eicher David 2001 Civil War High Commands Stanford California Stanford University Press p 547 ISBN 0 8047 3641 3 Retrieved 5 July 2022 Political officesPreceded byWilliam Earnshaw Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic1880 1881 Succeeded byGeorge Sargent Merrill Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Louis Wagner American general amp oldid 1173897387, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
