Adolphus Boettcher enlisted in Company C, 17th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment at St. Louis, on December 1, 1861. He served as quartermaster until December 12, 1862, when he was promoted to captain and assumed command of the company.

The 17th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized in August 1861 by the German-American Turner Society in St. Louis, Missouri. The regiment became known as the Western Turner Rifles, and fought in numerous battles, including Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Atlanta.

Boettcher mustered out of service on September 29, 1864.

Carte-de-Visite by B. Kihlholz, St. Louis, Mo.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11572