Charles Schroeter (July 4, 1837 – January 27, 1921) was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Indian Wars, while serving with Company G, 8th Regiment of the United States Cavalry. A German immigrant, his military career spanned thirty-one years, from 1863 to 1894, during which he also saw action in the American Civil War. He also served a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps. After retirement from the military, he became a merchant.
Biography
While listed repeatedly as being born in Lindberg (which is in Bavaria) and also Hanover both in present-day Germany, it is more likely he was born in Lüneburg in the Kingdom of Hanover in 1837. "Lüneburg" is pronounced "Lümborg" in Low German and influenced by the Germanic umlaut or linguistic mark. English speakers may have heard and written it as "Lindberg" or "Lindbergh". Later records cite July 4, 1837, as his birthday. His parents' names are unknown.
Charles Schroeter came to America in 1860 on the German passenger ship Bremen. The ship had picked up passengers at Hanover and Bremen, in Germany, before arriving in New York City on November 12, 1860. He was listed as a merchant. The ship then proceeded to New Orleans.
He found work in New Orleans then moved upriver to St. Louis before hostilities broke out. After his service in the Civil War and his career in the military, he opened "a retail confectionery and cigar store" with "E.L. Hoopes" after moving to Buffalo, New York, in 1894. He was cited in an 1898 Erie County biography as "a successful and prominent citizen, with a long and honorable career, his worth has been duly recognized."
He was noted about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 135 lb, with light brown eyes, black hair, and a fair complexion. His military records vary from 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet inches in height. His eye color varies from hazel, to light brown in those same records. His complexion was always listed as fair or ruddy. The variations in the records are not uncommon in the 1800s since each individual officer processing the enlistment had no standard manner, place, light or equipment to make accurate measurement.
Charles G. Schroeter reportedly never married or had any children. In 1918, he moved to San Diego, California. He died there on January 27, 1921, at age 83.
Military service
Civil War
On March 15, 1863, Charles Schroeter was mustered into the 1st Volunteer Missouri Cavalry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company A under Captain Stierlin as a private. His enlistment papers were signed on February 27, 1863. He was mustered out as a private in Company C at Little Rock, Arkansas, on September 1, 1865.
Schroeter and his fellow cavalry soldiers in the 1st Battalion served, conducted operations and fought (with the exceptions to Companies A and C cited below) in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War in the following specific areas as cited in "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V. III" by Frederick H. Dyer, 1908, pages 1301–1302.
Regiment at Rolla, Missouri until June 1863. Regiment moved to Pilot Knob, Missouri and joins General John Davidson's Cavalry Division. Expedition against Little Rock, Arkansas, July 1 September 1 to 10, 1863. Engagement at Pocahontas, Missouri August 24. Engagement at Shallow Ford and Bayou Meto, Arkansas County, Arkansas on August 30. Action near Shallow Ford on September 2.
Engagement at Bayou Fourche and capture of Little Rock, Arkansas September 10. Expedition from Benton to Mt. Ida Arkansas November 10–18 Engagement at Caddo Gap, Arkansas November 11. Action near Benton December 1. Reconnaissance from Little Rock December 5–13. (1863) Regiment at Little Rock until March 1864. Regiment at Carter's Creek Polk County, Arkansas in January 1864. Regiment with General Frederick Steele's Expedition to Camden, Arkansas March 23 to May 3, 1864. Engagement at Rockport, Arkansas March 25. Action at Arkadelphia, Arkansas March 29. Action at Spoonville, Clark County, Arkansas April 2. Action at Little Missouri River on April 6. Engagement at Prairie D'Ann April 9–12. Action at Camden on April 15. Action at Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River on April 30. Operations against Confederate General Shelby north of Arkansas River May 18–31, 1864. Action at Osceola, Arkansas on August 2. Action at Benton, Arkansas on August 18. Action near Pine Bluff, Arkansas August 18. Scout to Benton September 6–7. Reconnaissance to Princeton, Arkansas October 19 to 23. Expedition to Saline River November 17 to 18. Expedition to Mt. Elba in Cleveland County, Arkansas from January 22 February 22 to 4, 1865. Regiment at Little Rock, Arkansas until mustering out on September 1, 1865.