Louis Reiter

Louis (Lewis, Ludwig) Reiter (Ryder, Reider) emigrated to the United States around 1854. Gwendolyn Pigg (a cousin's wife) and I think the mines where he lived were giving out---not an uncommon story (some of my English ancestors came when Cornish tin mines gave out)
Gwendolyn found his ship record which she's pieced together. He left Liverpool on the Ship of New York arriving in New York city June 27, 1854. One third of the passengers were Irish with the remaining German.
Although he was around 30 years old when he came, he didn't marry for 15 more years. We assume he mined lead in Jefferson County, Missouri's abundant lead mines before he enlisted in the Civil War. He enlisted in De Soto, Mo 27th August 1862 in co. K, 31st Regiment of Missouri Volunteers mustering into services as a Private in Ironton, MO. (double click on the documents to read them) David Long told me recently that Louis Reiter left German so he didn't have to be conscripted in the German army only to come here and fighting in the Union Army.
We have abundant records. The roll call above asked where he was born. On one he said "Carkert, Germany" and the other "Cassell, Germany". Gwendolyn and I agree there is no "Carkert, Germany". "Cassell" was a clue to look in the vicinity of Kassel. Gwendolyn found a village Korbach which she thinks is likely because this village had mining and sounds a bit like "Carkert"--I also agree that it is likely he is from there or nearby.

Because he was injured, we have even more details: "Reider [sic] was present with the company and participant in the battle of Chicasaw Bayou Mississippi on the 29th of Dec. 1862. That in said engagement, the company did some hard fighting and made a number of movements at double quick on rough ground leaping ditches, stumps and obstructions the movement requiring much violent physical exertion. that immediately after said battle, said Reider made complaint that he had injured himself during the battle in slipping or falling and on examination it was found that said Reider was badly ruptured on the left side."

He was sent to a hospital at Jefferson Barracks until October 1863 where he was fitted with a truss. He was later honorably discharged for Scrofula Cachexia (basically the rupture or hernia on the left side)on 17 Dec. 1863 in Detroit, Michigan at 49 years old. He came back to the Old Ditch area of Jefferson County working in the mines, getting married and fathering six children: Mary Celecia Reiter Long, Louis H. Reiter, Amanda Reiter Ingalls, Francis Frederick Reiter, Annie Josephine Reiter Phenty, William Edward Reiter.

Unfortunately 6 of those children were under 16 when he died, forcing Eliza Tyrey Reiter to apply for a Widow's Pension. He was buried at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jefferson County, Missouri.

This photo is from Ginny Guinther----Mom and I went a few years ago and couldn't find it. And, this appears to be Eliza's side of the stone. . .oh well.