In the 19th century, hundreds of Aalten residents emigrated to the United States in search of land, work and a better life. A number of them are known to have participated in the American Civil War. As far as is known, they all served in the armies of the Northern states (the Union).
The American Civil War (1861–1865) was an armed conflict in the United States between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy). Bloody battles and campaigns took place in many states. The war began with a Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. In June 1865, the last Confederate armies surrendered, and the Union emerged victorious.
Former Aalten fighters
The following list is probably not yet complete:
- Jan Derk Ansink (Barlo, 30-04-1840 – 02-07-1868)
‘John Ansink’ enlisted on 06-08-1862 with the 108th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company E, in Rochester, Monroe County, NY. He was wounded in action on 03-07-1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. In May or June 1864 he was transferred to Company A of the 21st Regiment of the Veteran Reserve Corps. After the Civil War he was discharged on 07-06-1865 in Trenton, NJ.
- aren’t Jan Duenk (Haart, 04-03-1841 – 20-07-1875)
‘Johann Duenk’ served from 21-10-1864 to 27-07-1865 in the 37th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company G.
- Gerrit Hendrik Duenk (IJzerlo, 19-07-1825 – Milwaukee, WI, 14-08-1883)
‘Gerritt H Duenk’ served from 20-08-1862 to 10-06-1865 in the 24th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company I. He retired on the orders of the War Department. In 1883, he was eligible for admission to a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He suffered from rheumatism. At the time, he lived with his wife Clara and three children under the age of 16 in Milwaukee, WI, where he worked as a laborer. On 31-05-1883 he was admitted to the home. On 14-08-1883 he was found dead; he had drowned in the Milwaukee River. He was buried a day later.
- Gerrit Jan Duenk (IJzerlo, 23-09-1845 – Milwaukee, WI, 19-04-1897)
‘Garrett Dunck’ served from 15-08-1862 to 10-06-1865 in the 24th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company E. He was wounded on 02-06-1864 in Georgia, in the vicinity of Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills. After the Civil War he was fired on 10-06-1865.
- Hendrik Huibert van Eest (Velp, 12-09-1837 – Springfield, IL, 26-03-1865)
He reported on 28-02-1865 in Overisel, MI as a soldier. He was incorporated into the 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment, company K on 01-03-1865. Died on 26-03-1865 in Camp Butler, Springfield, IL.
- aren’t Jan Geurink (IJzerlo, 24-03-1822 – Sheboygan, WI, 21-02-1899)
At his grave is a GAR marker (Grand Army of the Republic) that indicates that he fought in the American Civil War.
- Gradus Heinen (Aalten, 19-10-1827 – Holland, WI, 24-10-1908)
‘Grades Heinen’ enlisted on 21-08-1862 with the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F. This regiment left Milwaukee, WI, on 16-03-1863 for Columbus, KY. Gradus was injured at Jenkins’ Ferry, AR. This happened during one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, fought on 29/30-04-1864 at the swollen Saline River, after days of heavy rainfall. After the Civil War he was fired on 29-08-1865.
- Roelof Hondorp (Lintelo, 07-10-1821 – Clymer, NY, 06-11-1901)
‘Ralph Hondrop’ served from 03-09-1864 to 13-06-1865 with the 15th New York Engineer Regiment, company G.
- Derk Hendrik Kappers (Aalten, 10-01-1827 – Madison, WI, 17-03-1864)
He enlisted on 16-09-1861 as a soldier in the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company H. He served until he died of an illness on 17-03-1864 in Madison, WI.
- Jan Willem Kolste (Fukkink) (Barlo, 25-07-1840 – 27-10-1917)
‘John W Foking’ served from 12-09-1861 to 03-12-1864 in the 9th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company A.
- Gradus Lambertus (Lammert) Kolste (Heurne, 15-03-1847 – 30-12-1872)
‘Lambert Kolste’ served from 03-10-1864 to 28-08-1865 as a soldier with the 44th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company E (honorably discharged).
- aren’t Jan Lammers (Aalten, 02-11-1841 – 02-12-1922)
‘Aaron J. Lammers’ served from 21-08-1862 to 29-08-1865 as a soldier in the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company H (honorably discharged).
- Antonij ter Maat (Dale, 07-02-1836 – Columbus, KY, 04-06-1863)
He enlisted, together with his brother Jan Hendrik, on 21-08-1862 in the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F. He became ill and died.
- Jan Hendrik ter Maat (Dale, 25-03-1841 – Memphis, TN, 03-10-1863)
He enlisted, together with his brother Antonij, on 21-08-1862 in the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F. He became ill and died.
- Berend Hendrik Obelink (Bredevoort, 16-11-1837 – Holland, WI, 19-04-1907)
He served from 21-08-1862 to 12-03-1865 with the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F (discharged due to disability).
- Evert Jan Ongena (Aalten, 04-02-1845 – Clymer, NY, 03-05-1921)
He served with the 15th New York Engineer Regiment until the end of the war.
- Hendrik Willem Pietenpol (Haart, 04-09-1836 – Gibbsville, WI, 01-02-1914)
‘Henry Putenpole’ served from 02-12-1864 to 09-10-1865 with the 14th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, company G.
- aren’t Jan Prange (Heurne, 26-11-1823 – Holland, WI, 10-05-1903)
He enlisted on 21-08-1862 with the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F. On 10-04-1864 he was transferred; It is unknown where to go.
- Lammert Reimes (Aalten, 21-11-1834 – New Jersey, 08-08-1912)
‘Lambert Reymers’ was enlisted in 1861 as a soldier in the 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment, company I. He served throughout the Civil War.
- Gerrit Jan te Slaa (Lintelo, 20-10-1831 – Missouri, 30-08-1863)
He enlisted on 21-08-1862 in the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company F. He became ill and died on a hospital boat moored in the Mississippi near Helena, Arkansas.
- Willem Tammel (Hakstege / Barlo, 19-09-1832 – Greenleafton, MN, 04-10-1893)
He served from 18-10-1864 to 26-06-1865 with the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment, company G.
- Bernadus Vervelde (Aalten, 16-02-1816 – Sherman, NY, 08-04-1891)
‘Benardus Felton’ reported on 22-08-1862 in Westfield, NY as a soldier. On 24-09-1862 he was assigned to the 154th New York Infantry Regiment, company E. On 02-05-1863 he was taken prisoner of war in Virginia during the Battle of Chancellorsville. On 14-05-1863 he was released on parole at City Point, VA. On 21-05-1864 he was dismissed due to disability. His son Derk Jan (called ‘Garrett J Felton’ in the US) also fought in the Civil War.
- Derk Jan Vervelde (Haart, 16-02-1843 – Ripley, NY, 05-09-1903)
‘Garrett J. Felton’ reported on 31-07-1862 in Westfield, NY as a soldier. On 15-08-1862 he was assigned to the 112th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, company E. On 30-07-1864 he was wounded during the Siege of Petersburg. On 06-07-1865 he was discharged from service at Lovell Hospital, Portsmouth Grove, RI. His father, ‘Benardus Felton’, also fought in the Civil War.
- Arnoldus Johannes Zweerink (Aalten, 09-01-1834 – Petersburg, VA, 31-03-1865)
He enlisted in the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, Company I, as a soldier on 21-10-1864. Company I consisted of men from Brown and Vernon counties in Wisconsin. The 6th Wisconsin Regiment was part of the famous Iron Brigade during the war. “Noldus” Zweerink was killed during the Battle of White Oak Road.
Do you have more information about (above or other) Aalten emigrants who fought in the American Civil War? Comment below or send us a message!
