Arnold Fischel

In March 1849, Fischel reportedly gave a philological discourse on "the Peculiarness and Beauties of the Hebrew Language" before the Brighton Royal Literary and Scientific Society.

Allen resigned by month's end, and the regimental field commanders elected another Jewish man, this time Rabbi Arnold Fischel, as his replacement.

In reply, you are respectfully informed that by the 9th Section of the Act of Congress, approved July 22nd, 1861, it is provided that the chaplain appointed "by the vote of the field officers and company commanders must be a regular ordained minister of some Christian denomination."

The Board of Delegates of American Israelites invited Fischel to lobby under their banner for a change to the language in the Acts which had resulted in his rejection, and he immediately accepted.

He wrote in a letter to Henry I. Hart, then president of the Board of Delegates of American Israelites: "As a general rule, they are not known as Jews but hundreds with whom I have conversed express their anxiety and hope that some provision may be made for them, so that in case of sickness or death, they be not left to the mercy of strangers.

"[8] Following his successful completion of the lobbying task, the board of delegates appointed Fischel to serve as a civilian chaplain in the Potomac region in exchange for a $20/week expense stipend.