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Archiver > GEN-DE > 2001-10 > 1001958265


From: "Manfred Fuchs" <>
Subject: Re: German Military
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 19:44:25 +0200
References: <EU%t7.49762$wX7.3865833684@newssvr15.news.prodigy.com>


Hi,

there was no battle in Germany in 1890.

Kind regards,

Manfred
"Sarah J. Adams" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:EU%t7.49762$...
> Good day!
>
> I was wondering if I could pose a curious question concerning the German
> military, particularly, the regiments of Bavaria. I am looking for
> information on several ancestors who served in the army and I am trying to
> confirm or at least give credence to some family stories.
>
> The first question:
> Is there a database or place a person could contact to locate information
> for men who served from Otterstadt, Pfalz, Bavaria in the 1870s. I am
> particularly looking for my 2xggrandfather, Joseph Ackermann.
>
> The second queestion:
>
> I am trying to sort out a story a relative sent to me concerning his great
> grandfather, Philip Heinrich Ackermann. He was originally was from
> Otterstadt and died in 1890 when his horse fell in battle on him and he
laid
> on the feild for several days before he was located. Ironically, his
> children were brought to America by relatives who had kept intouch with
him.
> He was apparently stationed at a town called Zimmerau. I have been unable
to
> locate any fortifications or military posts near a town called Zimmerau in
> this time period. Any ideas?
>
> Regards,
>
> Sarah Adams
> From: <>
> Subject: German military
> Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 12:38 PM
>
>
> In a message dated 9/26/01 4:04:15 AM,
writes:
>
> << > The wars that raged over Europe during the second half of the century
> > (1866, 1870-71, ...) didn't help to improve things. Although somebody
> > has suggested that joining the army would've been an option, I don't
> > really think so. Only wealthy guys were able to rise from the ranks >>
>
> Not so.
> The later part of the 1800s, after 1871 was known as the "peace years"
in
> Germany and military life was relatively slow and easy although it is true
> that the military was not well paid and many boys had to suppliment their
> income from home.
> Prussia followed the example of France after the Revolution and created
a
> "citizen", rather than a "standing" army with conscription. It was
probably
> the most democratic army in Europe, much more so than the British, for
> instance. Over 50% of the officer ranks were boys from commoner families.
A
> joke at the time is that there weren't enough noble boys who were smart
> enough to pass the necessary exams :-). (my apologies to Gilbert who had
> more
> miliary ancestors than anyone I know, and others) This, along with the
> clergy
> was one of the few paths to upward social mobility.
> My grandfather who came up through the ranks in the Prussian cavalry to
> the rank of captain and then emigrated to America, said that every time
they
> came through a town there were parades and young girls would put on their
> best a prettiest dresses and carry flowers. Many poems and songs about
this.
> The point being that the military was well regarded and well rewarded.
Every
> veteran was entitled to and guaranteed a civil service job at the end of
his
> service years.
> Because Pomerania was under the Law of Primogeniter, the oldest boy
in
> Pommern inherited the property and the other sons had the option of
working
> for him or doing something else. Under the circumstances, I can understand
> the lure of America with a new life, cheap land, and the opportunity to
be
> anything you wanted, was alluring. And for most of our ancestors that is
> exactly what America offered.
> If you would like to learn more about this you might read
"Administraton
> of the Prussian Army 1872". This is an excellent article and will answer
all
> your questions.
> www.hillsdale.edu/dept/history/documents/war/19e/1872-Prussia.htm
> It is 6 pages long so you might want to download it.
>
> Ronald D. Schultz
> Moraga, CA
>
>
>


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