Charles L. Kalmbach was born in Um, Prussia in 1830, the son of Charles A. and Natalia Kalmbach. He immigrated to America in 1847, and was educated as an engineer and worked on several construction projects in New York City. His name is first mentioned in Spotsylvania in deed records beginning in 1856. In 1859, he purchased land along Mineral Springs Road and began a steam sawmill operation where he cut timbers for the local gold mines and planks for roads. A photograph of a representative example of a steam sawmill taken in 1855 is below courtesy of the Library of Congress.
In 1860, he was shown in the Federal census as living in Spotsylvania County with a net wealth of $6,500. His occupation was listed as a manufacturer. In 1861, he married Mary Sommerville Lucas (1825-1910) in Stafford County, Virginia, and the couple established residence in Fredericksburg. The couple would remain childless.
Although a picture of Charles has never come to light, his sawmill was destined for immortality.
During the battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, the sawmill and grounds were used for a field hospital for the Federal Army of the Potomac. The sawmill was sketched by Alfred Waud, the noted artist and shown above.
Kalmbach traveled to Richmond in 1862 where he sold a double barreled shotgun on May 24th for $25.
On January 28, 1864, Charles enlisted into the Confederate Army with Cobb’s Legion of the Georgia Cavalry. He was described as of dark complexion, brown hair, gray eyes, and standing 5’11”. He was immediately detailed as a scout. His service career was short as he was captured on March 1, 1864 in Fauquier County, Virginia
He was held at the Old Capital Prison before being transferred north to Ft. Warren, Massachusetts on Sept 23, 1864. He took his Oath of Allegiance June 12, 1865 at Ft. Warren. He then returned to the area and resumed a career in business, and became a member of Masonic Lodge #4.
Charles relocated to Richmond in 1873 and served as an engineer on the James River project until 1882. He returned to the area and took up residence at 1102 Prince Edward Street (sketch below courtesy of Historic Fredericksburg Foundation ) built in 1854 in 1901.
Mary died on January 10, 1910 and the event was recorded in the local papers.
Charles departed this earth January 8th, 1913 and peacefully rests today with his devoted wife in the Fredericksburg City Cemetery.
His sawmill has long since passed to ruin, but lives on in the story of Chancellorsville.
Charles L. Kalmbach was born in Um, Prussia in 1830, the son of Charles A. and Natalia Kalmbach. He immigrated to America in 1847, and was educated as an engineer and worked on several construction projects in New York City. His name is first mentioned in Spotsylvania in deed records beginning in 1856. In 1859, he purchased land along Mineral Springs Road and began a steam sawmill operation where he cut timbers for the local gold mines and planks for roads. A photograph of a representative example of a steam sawmill taken in 1855 is below courtesy of the Library of Congress.
In 1860, he was shown in the Federal census as living in Spotsylvania County with a net wealth of $6,500. His occupation was listed as a manufacturer. In 1861, he married Mary Sommerville Lucas (1825-1910) in Stafford County, Virginia, and the couple established residence in Fredericksburg. The couple would remain childless.
Although a picture of Charles has never come to light, his sawmill was destined for immortality.
During the battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, the sawmill and grounds were used for a field hospital for the Federal Army of the Potomac. The sawmill was sketched by Alfred Waud, the noted artist and shown above.
Kalmbach traveled to Richmond in 1862 where he sold a double barreled shotgun on May 24th for $25.