Return to Colorado County and the Confederacy
The following Confederate veterans, though they lived in Colorado County, are not found in the 1860 Colorado County Census and therefore not listed in the Nesbitt Memorial Library's list of Colorado County Confederate Soldiers. Please contact the county coordinator if you have information on others who should appear here.
Mar 16, 1829 - May 30, 1919
Born in France, Max Kech served with the Texas 17th Infantry Company H, enlisting April 11, 1862 at Camp Terry. He collected pension benefits on application #00887.
He died at Frelsburg and is buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in an unmarked grave next to his wife, Mary Schultz Kech.
Friederich Lilie was a very hard working farmer most of his life in and around the Brushy Community in Colorado County, Texas. He was born in Braunschweig, Germany which today is called Brunswick on the 21st of March 1828. The city is located on the Elbe River in Lower Saxony which is considered the northwest part of West Germany today.
During much of the research, there were many comments made by descendants that Friederich "Fritz" Lilie committed suicide in order to avoid the Civil War. However, while researching Johann Struss and Charles 'Carl' Struss's involvement in the Civil War, it was found that Fritz also served the southern states.
The record found shows Private Friederich 'Fritz' Lilie enlisted in Industry, Texas, Austin, County, on March 22, 1862. He was shown as 36 years old at the time. In only two weeks, he entered into the armed forces for the Confederate States of America, April 4, 1862, in Houston, Harris County, Texas. Lilie's enlisting officer was Captain S.M. Drake. After the completing his joining the southern states, Friederich Lilie, Private was assigned to Captain Robert Voigt's Company, Company E., Infantry, also known as Waul's Texas Legion, CSA.
Private Lilie is shown in the muster rolls, as being assigned as a Texas Sharpshooter to Company C, 1st Infantry Battalion, Waul's Texas Legion.
Friederich Lilie fought in the Battle of Vicksburg. After Confederate Forces were scattered around the major battle, Fritz Lilie was later captured on July 13th, 1863 in Yazoo City, Mississippi and sent to Memphis, Tennessee on July 20th, 1863 and held in the Irving Block Prison.
Fritz Lilie would escape from the Irving Block Prison sometime over the next six months and return to his Battalion, Company C, with Waul's Texas Legion. He was not one of the 500 prisoners that escaped during the campaign to free the prisoners in August 1864. The reason this is known is that he is shown back with his battalion in January and February, 1864 according to Muster Rolls.
At 4:00 am on the morning of August 21, 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest made a daring raid on Union-held Memphis, Tennessee, but it was not an attempt to capture the city, occupied by 6,000 Federal troops. The raid had three objectives: to capture three Union generals posted there; to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison; and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi. Striking northwestward for Memphis with 2,000 cavalry, Forrest lost about a quarter of his strength because of exhausted horses. Surprise was essential. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminated the sentries. Galloping through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops, the raiders split to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt. The attack on Irving Block Prison also failed when Union troops stalled the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided to withdraw, cutting telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including many horses. Although Forrest failed in Memphis, his raid influenced Union forces to return there, from northern Mississippi, and provide protection.
Fritz Lilie would return after the hostilities and join his family in the Brushy Community just outside of Columbus, Colorado County, Texas. He would continue to live another 20 years, passing away on August 30, 1885 at the age of 55.
Additional notes on Friederich Heinrich Lilie, Sr.:
Born March 21, 1828 in Braunschweig, Germany
Died August 30, 1885 in the Brushy Community North of Columbus, Texas
Buried with wife in Lilie Cemetery
Married Friedericke Malsch, sister of Mathias ?Matthew? Malsch, an attorney in Columbus.
They had 4 girls and 2 boys.
Johanna Lilie married Diedrich Rotenberg
Catharina "Kate"Lilie married Wilhelm "Wm" Schulenburg
Friederich "Fritz"Lilie, Jr. married Adolphine Sophia Becker and Ida Bowe
Charles "Charlie" Lilie never married.
Julia Lilie married Wilhelm "Wm" Struss
And Louisa "Louise" Lilie married Franz Muller (Miller)
Charles 'Karl' Struss left Colorado County with his friends the Machemehls of Austin, County and headed to Mexico. On the way, his older brother convinced him to enlist into the Civil War on September 10, 1861 in Brownsville, Texas for 12 months of service with the Confederate States of America. He was 18 years of age and went with his 'big' brother, John Struss who was 23 years old. His enlisting officer was Captain Littleton. His enlistment was with Captain John Littleton's Company, 2nd Regiment of the Texas Mounted Rifles. This Company was known at various times as Captain Littleton's Company, Captain Spencer's Company, Company D and Company I, 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary.
The 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary (also known as the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles) was organized May 23rd, 1861, of companies which had previously been in the State service. Company F re-enlisted in April, 1862, was furloughed to May 31st, 1862, and subsequently became Company I, Morgan's Regiment Texas Calvary. The remainder of the regiment was re-organized in July, 1862, and 2nd Company F was organized September 27, 1862.
On August 31, 1862, after a year of attachment to Captain Littleton's Company, Charles Struss was shown as being paid for his horse and saddle an amount equal to $63.00. They also paid him $24.40 for the use of his horse for the first year in the War.
Charles Struss, right along side his brother John, re-mustered into service on June 20, 1862 and reorganization for a two-year period near Edinburg, Texas by Major W. O. Yager. At the time of his re-muster and reorganization, John was 19 years of age, having just had a birthday in March. Because of the late Captain John Littleton's Company, the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles became part of Captain William A. Spencer's Company.
The Company Muster Rolls for March 1st thru June 30th, 1863 reflect Charles Struss being paid for his services by Captain Reeves on February 18, 1863 for use of his horse, $46.40. Captain Spencer's Company, Karl and his 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary, were summoned from South Texas to LaFourche Parish Louisiana.
Charles was devastated while fighting in the Battle of LaFourche Crossing in LaFourche Parish, Louisiana along the side of his older brother Johann Diederich Struss. John was wounded in action at the Battle on June 21, 1863. He was taken by Union forces, prisoned & paroled on June 24, 1863. JOHANN STRUSS DIED ON AUGUST 1, 1863 OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION ON JUNE 21, 1863. His burial place is more than likely located near LaFourche Parish, Louisiana, but no records supporting this could be found.
Charles and his Company were broken up after the battle and was he was given a furlough on August 6, 1864. He is shown on his return from September 10-20, 1864 as doing extra daily duty as teamster for the Cavalry. Charles was very devastated having to leave his brother wounded for the Union forces to capture. Charles, himself, was later captured by Union forces.
He was shown in the Texas State Archives as his name appears on a Parole of Prisoners of War at Columbus, Texas. "Paroled July 3, 1865."
"To all Whom it May Concern, Know Ye That:
I, Charles Struss, a Private of the 2nd Texas Regiment Texas Calvary, Captain Spencer's Company, CSA, being a prisoner of War, in the hands of the United States Forces, do in pursuance of the terms of capture, give this my solemn parole under oath -----
That I will not take up arms against the United States, nor serve in any military, police, or constabulary force in any Fort, Garrison or field work held by the Confederate States of America, against the United States of America, nor as guard of any prisons, depots or stores nor discharge any duties usually performed by Officers or soldiers against the United States of America, until duly exchanged by the proper authorities.
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Columbus, Texas, this 3rd day of July, 1865.
Additional notes on Johann Diederich Christian Struss:
Born August 6, 1838 in Lehmdermoor, Kreis Ammerland, Oldenburg, Germany
Died August 1, 1863 in the Battle of LaFourche Crossing, LaFourche Parish Louisiana
1 Son born; Wilhelm "Wm." Struss on December 15, 1859
Married Julia Lilie January 11, 1884 in New Ulm, Texas
Johann 'John' Struss enlisted into the Civil War on September 10, 1861 in Brownsville, Texas for 12 months of service with the Confederate States of America. His enlisting officer was Captain Littleton. His enlistment was with Captain John Littleton's Company, 2nd Regiment of the Texas Mounted Rifles. This Company was known at various times as Captain Littleton's Company, Captain Spencer's Company, Company D and Company I, 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary.
The 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary (also known as the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles) was organized May 23rd, 1861, of companies which had previously been in the State service. Company F re-enlisted in April, 1862, was furloughed to May 31st, 1862, and subsequently became Company I, Morgan's Regiment Texas Calvary. The remainder of the regiment was re-organized in July, 1862, and 2nd Company F was organized September 27, 1862.
On August 31, 1862, after a year of attachment to Captain Littleton's Company, John was shown as being paid for his horse and saddle an amount equal to $63.00. They also paid him $24.40 for the use of his horse for the first year in the War.
John Struss re-mustered into service on June 20, 1862 and reorganization for a two-year period near Edinburg, Texas by Major W. O. Yager. At the time of his re-muster and reorganization, John was 23 years of age, but soon to be turning 24 on his birthday in August. Because of the late Captain John Littleton's Company, the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles became part of Captain William A. Spencer's Company.
The Company Muster Rolls for March 1st thru June 30th, 1863 reflect John Struss being paid for his services by Captain Reeves on February 18, 1863 for use of his horse, $46.40. Captain Spencer's Company, John Struss and his 2nd Regiment Texas Calvary, were summoned from South Texas to LaFourche Parish Louisiana.
Johann Diederich Christian Struss was wounded in action at the Battle of LaFourche Crossing in LaFourche Parish, Louisiana on June 21, 1863. He was taken by Union forces, prisoned & paroled on June 24, 1863. JOHANN STRUSS DIED ON AUGUST 1, 1863 OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION ON JUNE 21, 1863. His burial place is more than likely located near LaFourche Parish, Louisiana, but no records supporting this could be found.
Additional notes on Charles "Carl" Diederich Struss:
Born March 17, 1843 in Lehmdermoor, Kreis Ammerland, Oldenburg, Germany
Death Date Unknown
Married Marie Shultz of Fayetteville;
1 Daughter Born: Maria Catharina Leopoldine Struss January 25, 1868
Marie Shultz Died January 26, 1868
Charles Struss Marries Maria Friedrike Dorothea Mueller Luedecke of New Ulm
3 Daughters Born
(Am searching for burial place and whereabouts of Carl Struss; one lady from New Ulm called me about 10 years ago and was a relative of this group of children. And I misplaced information that would have helped me find the cemetery and Struss girls from that discussion. Still looking.)