By: Bryan Bush
Heinrich Wilhelm Carl Trauernicht Sr. was born on April 6, 1842, in Magdeburg, Stadtkeis Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. He was the son of Heinrich and Johanne Knobbe Trauernicht. On February 16, 1861, Henry enlisted in the Asboth Rifles for a three-month term at the St. Louis Arsenal. His brother was a captain in the same regiment. When the term expired, Henry reenlisted in the 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry [US] for a three-year term, beginning September 10, 1861. He was promoted to corporal in Company E and fought at Booneville, Missouri, and Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
At the Battle of Perryville, fought on October 8, 1862, the 2nd Missouri Infantry was commanded by Capt. Walter Hoppe and was attached to the brigade under Lt. Col. Bernard Laiboldt in Phil Sheridan's division. Under orders from the commander of the III Corps, Col. Daniel McCook’s brigade, also part of Sheridan's division, was ordered to occupy the heights in front of Doctor’s Creek to secure one of the few remaining water sources in the area. The Union troops steadily advanced up the hill, pushing back the Confederates who fought every step of ground and eventually occupied the heights. McCook deployed four cannons, but the Confederates quickly reinforced and advanced to try to retake the hill. The Confederates fired for about 50 minutes until Gen. Phil Sheridan arrived on the scene.
Trauernicht and the men of the 2nd Missouri Infantry were then ordered forward. At the double quick, the 2nd Missouri, along with the 86th Illinois, pushed back the Confederates. One private was killed, and eleven were wounded, including Private Henry Trauernicht. The Union troops managed to securely take possession of a wooded hill beyond the Bottom House along Doctor's Creek. Meanwhile, Sheridan ordered McCook’s brigade to form a line of battle on the far edge of the woods. The Confederate batteries erupted, and their infantry advanced again, making two determined attacks to retake the Union position. McCook's and Laiboldt's men engaged the Confederate forces for 30 minutes, ultimately driving the Rebels off the field.
Positions of the armies at 2 p.m., October 8, 1862
CC
After the battle, General Sheridan praised the conduct of his brigade commanders, including Colonel Laiboldt, “who behaved with great gallantry, leading their troops at all times.” Sheridan reported casualties for his division at 44 killed, 274 wounded, and 12 missing. The 2nd Missouri lost 18 killed, 51 wounded, and 1 missing. Trauernicht had his right leg amputated above the knee. He was honorably discharged from the Union army and retired to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained until 1865, when he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to publish The Nashville Demokrat.
Next, Henry became the editor and publisher of the German newspaper The Tennessee Post from 1873 until 1877. On April 17, 1882, he was appointed janitor and clerk of the customs house in Nashville. On February 10, 1888, he retired. He died at the age of 47 on May 2, 1889. He had 13 children. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic; General George Thomas Post Number One, Nashville; and the Knights of Honor. He was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery.
