Paulus Gast was born in Berlin, Prussia; after immigrating to the United States, he enlisted as a private in Bissell’s Engineer Regiment of the West on September 13, 1861. He was promoted to sergeant on November 26, 1861, and to lieutenant on January 21, 1864.

Bissell’s Engineers contributed to Union battlefield victories early in the war, such as New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Corinth. They repaired and built railroads and bridges in Tennessee and Mississippi through 1862 and 1863. On February 17, 1864, Bissell’s Engineers and the 25th Missouri Infantry Regiment were consolidated into the 1st Missouri Engineers.

After participating in the Atlanta campaign, Gast resigned his commission and left the regiment on September 29, 1864.

Carte-de-Visite by J. A. Scholten, St. Louis, Mo.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11567