He had served twelve years in the artillery of Prussia of which corps he was an officer for seven years.

On the 25th of April 1861, age 42, he enlisted as Captain of Company "E" 2nd Michigan Infantry. He was residing in Niles Mich. at his enlistment.

He had been promoted to Captain in the 2nd Mich. Inf. on 17 April 1861. Other information also indicates that he was promoted to Captain on the 10th of October 1861.

He served as captain from April 17th to December 14th 1861 when he resigned because of ill health.

He fought in the battle of Blackburn's Ford July 18 and Bull Run July 21, 1861.

He was discharged for Promotion on the 3rd of September 1862.

He re-entered service in Company K, 12th Michigan Infantry, as captain, and again resigned because of ill health September 3, 1862.

He submitted an application for invalid corps on the 23rd of June 1863.

Robert Brethschneider was laid to rest in 1877 at the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan (NEW 03/09/05)

Robert Brethschneider wrote three letters written in July 1861 and one in November 1861. Chiefly love letters to his wife. But he also speculates on possible offensives and the end of the war; then writes of the casualties after the battles, saying...

"It is sad to see thousands slaughtered through the ignorance of their leaders, but the Americans have to learn and pay for it. All our fancy officers here are sick or not worth the powder it would take to shoot them."

However, in his letters he expresses a very high opinion of himself and his worth as an officer. The letters are written in German, and the collection contains the originals and translations, as well as his commission, dated April 25, 1861 and application for invalid corps dated June 23, 1863. The collection also includes a letter from Colonel Francis Quinn of the 12th Michigan Infantry (May 2, 1862) and affidavits of James Vandemark and Robert Hardy, also of the 12th Infantry (June 4, 1862) relating to the Battle of Shiloh.

Page March 29th 2005