Born in 1817 at Gemmersheim, Palatinate, Germany, Franz Hassendeubel immigrated to St. Louis in 1844 and worked as a civil engineer. During the Mexican-American War, he commanded an artillery battery in Missouri Colonel Alexander Doniphan’s army. Following the Mexican-American War, he worked as the city engineer of St. Louis.

When the Civil War began, Hassendeubel was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 3rd Missouri Infantry (a 90-day unit), and participated in the capture of the Missouri Militia at Camp Jackson. At the Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861, Hassendeubel led a bold bayonet charge that drove off pursuing Missouri State Guardsmen.

In August 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the 17th Missouri Infantry, and led the regiment at Pea Ridge and Arkansas Post.
Badly wounded by fragments from a Confederate hand grenade at the siege of Vicksburg on June 28, 1863, Hassendeubel died of fever on July 17, 1863. His body was returned to St. Louis for burial with full military honors.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31848