Charles (Carl) Saalmann
was born April 25, 1836, in Breckerfield, Germany. He married Emilie Schulte
on June 21, 1860, in Westfalen, Germany. The couple immigrated to America,
possibly in the Philadelphia vicinity. On August 9, 1861, Saalmann enrolled
as a Private in the 75th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The regiment
was composed of German-American soldiers, and was organized by Heinrich
Bohlen, a Philadelphia merchant. Saalmann was promoted to Second Lieutenant
on August 21, 1861. After training at Camp Worth, in West Philadelphia,
the 75th spent the winter of 1861-1862 encamped in the defenses of Washington.
In early April 1862, tragedy struck when a barge, used to ferry the regiment
across the Shenandoah River, overturned. Fifty three men perished.
The 75th Pennsylvania
participated in the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic. On August
14, 1862, Saalmann was promoted to First Lieutenant, Company D. Saalmann
participated in the Battle of Groveton, on August 29, and the (Second)
Battle of Bull Run, on August 30, where his regiment sustained heavy losses.
On March 1, 1863, Saalmann was promoted to Captain of Company C. The 75th
Pennsylvania participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign. Because the
75th was located on the far right flank, it was one of the first regiments
routed in the surprise attack by Stonewall Jackson's men.
At Gettysburg, the 75th
Pennsylvania suffered heavy losses on the afternoon of July 1, 1863, when
superior forces near the Carlisle road, west of town overwhelmed it. Colonel
Mahler, who commanded the 75th, was mortally wounded. Captain Saalmann
was wounded by a musket ball, which passed through his upper left arm.
He was evacuated to a field hospital, then transported to train by Philadelphia,
where he arrived on July 7. By September 16, Saalmann was able to rejoin
the regiment. On September 25,1863, the 75th Pennsylvania was sent to Bridgeport,
Alabama, by train, where it arrived on October 2.
Saalmann participated
in several battles near Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was again wounded during
the night battle of October 29, 1863, near Wauhatch, Tennessee. In early
1864, Saalmann was detached from the 75th Pennsylvania, and became Acting
Commissary of Sustenance for the Third Brigade of the First Division of
the Twentieth Corps. Colonel James S. Robinson commanded the Third Brigade.
The Third Brigade participated in the Atlanta Campaign, where it was involved
in the battles of: Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, and Kennesaw Mountain. Following
the siege and occupation of Atlanta, Saalmann accompanied the brigade on
General Sherman's march to Savannah. The brigade then marched northward
in the Campaign of the Carolinas, participating in battles at Averysboro
and Bentonville, North Carolina.
Saalmann was discharged
from the Army on May 28, 1865. After the war, Saalmann settled in Egg Harbor,
New Jersey, where he purchased a farm. He never completely regained the
use of his left arm, which was partially disabled from the wound received
at Gettysburg. Charles Saalmann died on January 2, 1915, survived by his
wife and children.
Biography by Charlie Boning, Boning. Charles@leg.state.fl.us