Fidel Schlund's Civil War Service

Fidel Anton Schlund served in the Civil War on the Union side as a member of the 69th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company E. Fidel joined the 69th on May 29, 1862 he mustered in on June 14, 1862. He mustered out on September 27, 1862. In addition to his service, 5 of his sons also served the United States on the Union side. 

At 57 years old he was older that the typical enlistee at the time, however skilled service men were in high demand and Fidel's previous training experience was needed. He enlisted in the 69th at the rank of Captain and recruited and trained other German men in the community. The 69th Regiment was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, and he was mustered into service there on June 14, 1862. The Regiment remained on duty at Camp Douglas and guarded the camp and rebel prisoners of war.

Report of the adjutant general of the state of Illinois, Volume 4

The detailed report from the Illinois State archives has the following information listed about Fidel Schlund (misspelled as Schland).

Residence	CHICAGO, COOK CO, IL
Age	57
Height	5' 9
Hair	BROWN
Eyes	BLUE
Complexion	DARK
Marital Status	MARRIED
Occupation	AGENT

Picture of Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Illinois where seven thousand rebel prisoners are quartered.

Civil War Harper’s Weekly, April 5, 1862

Few documents and photos still exist from the 69^th Illinois regiment. This document, the discharge papers of Patrick Doyle an Irish immigrant in the Civil War, was signed by Captain Fidel Schlund.

I will be posting more in the next couple days about Fidel's sons Civil War service in the Union.