Crist, Albert

Unknown Grave Marker

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private- Company K, 10th Ohio Infantry

Place of Birth:

Querfurt, Germany

Date of Birth:

1842

Place of Death:

Perryville, Kentucky

Date of Death:

October 8, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Albert Crist was born in 1842 in the region now known as Querfurt, Germany. He was one of five children of Friedrich Albert, a laborer, and Emilie Crist. At the age of seven, Albert and his family immigrated to the United States, arriving in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 30, 1850. The family’s journey continued as they moved first to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later settled in Anderson Township, Hamilton County, Ohio—a small community situated about fifteen miles southeast of Cincinnati.

On June 3, 1861, Albert enlisted in the United States Army, joining Company K of the 10th Ohio Infantry. His younger brother, Reinhart, followed his example, enlisting a few months later, on August 22, 1861.

Shortly after his enlistment, Albert and the 10th Ohio Infantry marched to Grafton, Virginia (now West Virginia). On July 7, 1861, the regiment engaged in a skirmish with Confederate forces in Glenville, Virginia (West Virginia), then continued eastward to Buckhannon. In September, the regiment advanced to Carnifex Ferry, where Albert faced his first battle on September 10, 1861. Throughout the fall, the 10th Ohio remained in the area, contributing to efforts that pushed the Confederacy out of western Virginia.

By mid-November 1861, the 10th Ohio was ordered to Kentucky. From there, they marched through Tennessee to Huntsville in northern Alabama, where they remained for several months.

The following September, the regiment left Alabama to pursue General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Mississippi, which had invaded Kentucky and threatened Ohio’s southern border.

On October 8, 1862, the U.S. Army of the Ohio confronted the Army of Mississippi at Perryville, Kentucky. In the morning, Albert and his comrades supported an artillery battery. After two hours, the battery exhausted its ammunition, prompting the 10th Ohio Infantry to move to the front lines.

Throughout the afternoon, the 10th Ohio and their brigade endured intense fire from the Confederate Army, engaging in what their commanding officer described as a “most obstinate and resolute struggle and severe loss.” By 4 o’clock, every regiment except the 10th Ohio Infantry had retreated. The 10th held their position until they were nearly surrounded.

The Battle of Perryville proved devastating for the 10th Ohio Infantry, with nearly 45% of the regiment killed, wounded, missing, or captured. Among those lost was Albert Crist, who was killed in action at just nineteen years old.

Albert Crist is buried in Stones River National Cemetery in an unknown grave.

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war