Charles L. Matthies

Charles Leopold Matthies[1] (or Karl Leopold Matthies[1]) (31 May 1824 – 16 October 1868) was a Prussian soldier, revolutionary and Union Army officer during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general.

Matthies was born in Bromberg, Prussia (later Bydgoszcz, Poland) and worked as a farmer early in life.

Matthies emigrated to the United States in 1849 and settled in Iowa where he became a successful liquor merchant.

[1][2] Once the Civil War began, Matthies immediately volunteered for the Union Army.

During the battle of Missionary Ridge, he participated in Sherman’s attack against the Patrick Cleburne’s division near Tunnel Hill.