Carl Zimmer (1835 - 1911)

Born 9 Nov 1835 in Baden, Germany

Died 29 Dec 1911 at age 76 in Perkins, Erie, Ohio, United States

Biography

CPL Carl Zimmer served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: May 23, 1863
Mustered out: Aug 17, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company C 16th New York Cavalry

CPL Carl Zimmer served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Aug 17, 1865
Mustered out: Sep 21, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company I 3rd New York Provisional Cavalry

Carl was born on 9 Nov 1835 in Baden, Germany, the son of Jacob Zimmer and Magdalena. ^{[1] [2]} He immigrated to the United States in 1861 and a mere two years later found himself embroiled in the American Civil War. ^[3] On May 23, 1863 at the age of 27 he enlisted with the 16th New York Cavalry for a three year term and was mustered in on the 30th at Buffalo, New York into Company C, as a Private. ^[4] By August 1, 1864 he was promoted to Corporal.

His records record his name as Charles, Carl and Karl. There is less variation on his last name. Most records record Zimmer, one Zimmerer and a few Zimmerman.

The 16th Cavalry spent most of their time patrolling the Virginia countryside until the night when the President was shot. On that memorable night of April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth fired the shot which killed President Lincoln, and, leaping to the stage of Ford's theatre, escaped, Carl was one of 27 men from the 16th New York Cavalry including their Captain Edward P. Doherty. Along with the Cavalry unit were two detectives from the Secret Service. They were sent in pursuit and took the assassin after he was shot by Corbett, from the burning barn at Garrett’s farm in Fredericksburg, after he had refused to surrender.

The 27 volunteers from the 16th New York Cavalry became known as Lincoln’s Avengers. Carl also known as Charles while he was in the service, was among them.

On the 29 May 1865 he was called upon to give a sworn statement on what transpired the night that Booth and Herold were captured. The following is his sworn statement:

“I was ordered by Lieutenant Doherty to report to Conger—a detective—at the home of Dr. Ashley about twelve miles above Port Conway on the 25th of April last. I remained with Conger until an orderly came and woke him up—saying that Lieutenant Doherty was on the track of the assassins—and for the rest of the men to come down immediately. I then went down to the ferry—I was acting as orderly to Conger.” ^[5]

In July of 1865 A.G. Riddle was hired to represent him and his claim on the reward money. ^[6] He will need to wait a year to find out if his claim will be accepted.

He was transferred to the 3rd New York Provisional Cavalry, Company I on Aug 17, 1865 and mustered out on 21 Sep 1865 at Camp Berry in Washington, DC following the end of the war.

He was three inches taller then the average man in those days standing at 5’ 10” tall. He had blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He must have cut a handsome figure in his uniform. ^[7]

In 1865 he married his wife Barbara and started a family. They had 3 known children. ^[8]

In Aug 1866 he received his share of the Reward Money for his part in the capture of John Wilkes Booth and David Herold for a total of $1,653.84. ^[9]

In June 1896 he was admitted to the Ohio Soldier Home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. His wife Barbara and three children are listed as his closest relatives. ^[10]

He passed away on the 29 Dec 1911 in Perkins, Ohio. He is buried in the West Park Cemetery in Cleveland.

Sources

1. ↑ "Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8D5-ZX5 : 8 March 2021), Carl Zimmer, 29 Dec 1911; citing Perkins, Erie, Ohio, reference fn 63916; FHL microfilm 1,953,135.
2. ↑ "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-6TW8 : 20 February 2021), Charles Zimmer,.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMZS-LN6 : 11 March 2022), Carl Zimmer, 1900.
4. ↑ Civil War Record
5. ↑ Deposition of Charles Zimmer
6. ↑ Attorney A.G. Riddle to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton
7. ↑ Civil War Record
8. ↑ "Ohio Soldier Home Records, 1888-1919," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLYL-5TMW : 16 March 2018), Karl Zimmer, 1896; citing Military Service, 1896, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm 928,929.
9. ↑ RG 217, Misc. Treasury Accounts, Entry 347 - Account No. 156952 - Check paid to Corporal Charles Zimmer-$1653.84 for the capture of Booth and Herold, in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
10. ↑ "Ohio Soldier Home Records, 1888-1919," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLYL-5TMW : 16 March 2018), Karl Zimmer, 1896; citing Military Service, 1896, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm 928,929.

• "United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD3-KG9C : 19 February 2021), Carl Zimmer, 1907-1933; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,636,572.

• "Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK56-N8M : 12 November 2019), Carl Zimmer, 1911.

• "Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6ZR-43Y : 22 July 2021), Carl Zimmer, 1911.

• "Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6CF-8MW : 19 January 2020), Carl Zummer, 1911.

• "Ohio, Veterans Home Deaths and Burials, 1889-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D6TQ-N8N2 : 9 November 2020), Carl Zummer, 1911.

• Rosters Of The New York Cavalry Regiments During The Civil War--16th New York Cavalry

• Rosters Of The New York Cavalry Regiments During The Civil War--3rd New York Provisional Cavalry

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLJ4-X3B : accessed 26 May 2022), Charles Zimmer, Perkins, Erie, Ohio, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 51, sheet 12A, family , NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1178; FHL microfilm 1,375,191.
• FamilySearch Person: GPQL-JYQ