Wagner, Peter

Peter Wagner

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Corporal 100th Illinois Infantry, Company C

Place of Birth:

Prussia, Germany

Date of Birth:

1824/1825

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

January 2nd, 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Peter Wagner was born in Germany in about 1827, according to the 1860 US Federal Census, while the enlistment papers list his birth year between 1823 and 1824. Before his enlistment, he was living in Lockport, Illinois, as a laborer alongside his wife Kate and children Peter, Mary, John, and Martin. 

Wagner had enlisted in the Union Army on August 4, 1862. He had mustered out as a Corporal for the 100th Illinois Infantry, Company C. The 100th Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Irwin in Joliet, Illinois. Their first engagement was near Bardstown, Kentucky, before moving on to the Battle of Stones River. The 100th Infantry was ordered to be placed under the left wing of the fighting, where they held ground near the banks of the Stones River, before being tasked to hold the Federal left, alongside Hazen’s Brigade, to protect the Round Forest. They remained in position, fighting to protect the Round Forest, until nightfall. Following the nightfall of December 31st, the 100th Illinois Infantry would be kept in reserves and along the front line along Beatty’s Ridge. It was during the fighting on January 2nd that Corporal Wagner was killed.

Peter Wagner is laid to rest at Stones River National Cemetery in Plot H-2925. Alternate spelling of his name includes "Peter Wagoner" which is what his headstone is listed as. 

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