Frederick Alber

Frederick Alber (June 28, 1838 – September 12, 1913) was a United States soldier who fought for the Union Army as a member of Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry during the American Civil War. He was awarded his nation's highest military honor, the U.S. Medal of Honor, on July 30, 1896, for valor during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864.[1][2][3]

Frederick Alber
Born(1838-06-28)June 28, 1838
Germany
DiedSeptember 12, 1913(1913-09-12) (aged 75)
Columbiaville, Michigan
Place of burial
Oregon Township Cemetery, Lapeer County, Michigan
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1862–1865
RankPrivate
Unit17th Michigan Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Formative years

Born in Germany on June 28, 1838, Frederick Alber emigrated to the United States in 1846, and settled in Michigan, where he became a farmer.[4]

Civil War

At the age of 24, Alber enrolled for a three-year term of Civil War military service at Manchester, Michigan on July 2, 1862. He then officially mustered in for duty as a private with Company A of the 17th Michigan Infantry on August 19.[5][6]

Engaged with the 17th Michigan in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864, he captured two enemy soldiers after freeing Lieutenant Charles Todd, one of the officers from his regiment who had been captured by Confederate troops. On February 21, 1865, he was recognized for his valor when Major General John G. Parks, commanding officer of the U.S. Ninth Army Corps, recommended him for the Medal of Honor.[7][8]

On June 3, 1865, Alber honorably mustered out at Delaney House in Washington, D.C.[9]

Post-war life

Following his honorable discharge from the military, Alber returned to Michigan. Married to Mary S. Alber, he was widowed by her on December 8, 1896.

Death and interment

Alber died in Oregon Township, Michigan at the age of 75 on September 12, 1913, and was buried at that township's cemetery in Lapeer County.[10][11]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry. Place and date: At Spotsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Entered service at: Manchester, Mich. Born: 1838, Germany. Date of issue: July 30, 1896.[12][13]

Citation:

Bravely rescued Lt. Charles H. Todd of his regiment who had been captured by a party of Confederates by shooting down one, knocking over another with the butt of his musket, and taking them both prisoners.

In November 1999, U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI) paid tribute to Alber. According to the November 10, 1999 edition of the Congressional Record – Senate, Abraham delivered the following addressed to his colleagues:[14]

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Frederick Alber of Lapeer County, MI. On November 13, 1999, the community of Oregon Township will dedicate a new headstone for Mr. Alber and also honor other veterans buried in the Oregon Township Cemetery. Frederick Alber enlisted in the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry on July 2, 1862 at age 24 and served valiantly during the Civil War. On July 30, 1896, Private Alber was issued the Medal of Honor for his undaunted bravery in the wilderness and his heroic actions at Spotsylvania. On May 12, 1864, Private Alber rescued Lieutenant Charles Todd of the 17th Michigan Infantry who was in the hands of a party of rebels. Private Alber shot down one enemy rebel and knocked over another with the butt of his musket. He then took the rebels as prisoners and conducted them both to the rear of the formation.

See also
  • McAfee, William B. "Pvt. Frederick Alber Memorial", in Michigan's Messenger: The Newsletter of the Department of Michigan – Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2000 (retrieved online August 9, 2018). Lansing, Michigan: Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Department of Michigan.

References
  1. Hunsanger, Jacob. "A Look Back at the Civil War: Lapeer County Historical Museum Unveils New Exhibit." Lapeer, Michigan: The County Press, September 17, 2011.
  2. Abraham, U.S. Sen. Spencer. "Tribute to Civil War Hero Frederick Alber", in Congressional Record – Senate, p. 29478. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Senate, November 10, 1999.
  3. Fuller, George Newman. Bulletin No. 1: The Michigan Historical Commission: Its inception, organization, administration and aims, pp. 155, 162. Lansing, Michigan: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., State Printers, 1913.
  4. Liblong, Rick. "History Holds Stories of Valor Archived 2018-08-10 at the Wayback Machine." Imlay City, Michigan: Tri-City Times, November 6, 2013.
  5. Liblong, "History Holds Stories of Valor", Tri-City Times.
  6. Abraham, U.S. Sen. Spencer. "Tribute to Civil War Hero Frederick Alber", Congressional Record – Senate, p. 29478.
  7. Liblong, "History Holds Stories of Valor", Tri-City Times.
  8. Abraham, U.S. Sen. Spencer. "Tribute to Civil War Hero Frederick Alber", Congressional Record – Senate, p. 29478.
  9. Liblong, "History Holds Stories of Valor", Tri-City Times.
  10. Liblong, "History Holds Stories of Valor", Tri-City Times.
  11. Abraham, U.S. Sen. Spencer. "Tribute to Civil War Hero Frederick Alber", Congressional Record – Senate, p. 29478.
  12. "Alber, Frederick Archived 2017-06-10 at the Wayback Machine", in "Medal of Honor Recipients (A-L)". Washington, D.C. U.S. Army Center of Military History, retrieved online August 9, 2018.
  13. "Alber, Frederick" (profile). Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, retrieved online August 9, 2018.
  14. Abraham, U.S. Sen. Spencer. "Tribute to Civil War Hero Frederick Alber", Congressional Record – Senate, p. 29478.
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