Membership Roll of the Officers and Provates of the German Volunteers Plaque

Did the German Volunteers ever imagine their names would be etched onto a plaque, forever a part of Savannah’s story? Here, before the Membership Roll of the Officers and Provates of the German Volunteers Plaque, time seems to whisper of a pivotal moment in 1861. The Membership Roll of the Officers and Provates of the German Volunteers Plaque commemorates the men who, in January 1861, answered the call to duty. They journeyed from Savannah to Fort Pulaski aboard the Steam Tug Sampson. The plaque, a testament to their commitment, meticulously lists the names of these volunteers who garrisoned the fort during the tumultuous years of the Civil War. Captain John H. Stegin led the group, flanked by 1st Lieutenant Anthony Basler, 2nd Lieutenant Claus Werner, and Ensign Chas. A.H. Umbach. The roll call continues, naming sergeants, corporals, and the vital quartermaster, Henry Blun. Then, a long list of privates follows, men like H. Beenken, F. Hanson, and H. Roggentin, their names echoing through the decades. They were shopkeepers, tradesmen, and immigrants, united by a shared heritage and a sense of duty. Imagine them boarding the Sampson, a mix of anticipation and trepidation etched on their faces as they steamed towards an uncertain future. The Membership Roll of the Officers and Provates of the German Volunteers Plaque is more than just a list of names. It is a portal to the past, a reminder of the individuals who played a part in Savannah’s, and indeed the nation’s, story. They were the German Volunteers, and their names, forever etched on this plaque, ensure they will not be forgotten.