Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Glass, 32nd Indiana
By Michael A. Peake

Jacob Glass was born in the Bavarian village of Dielkerchen, Germany, on April 9, 1836. The Glass family relocated to the United States following the revolution and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where Jacob became deeply involved in a local athletic club, the Socialistischer Turnerbund. Jacob Glass was naturalized as an American citizen on October 7, 1856, and the following year, the family moved to Madison, Indiana, where Jacob and his brother, Frederic Glass, operated a confectionary. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Glass organized a German company, within a matter of hours, largely from the Turner clubs of the city and surrounding communities, including Cincinnati, Ohio and Lt. Col. Thomas J. Wood mustered them in on August 24, as Company “B,” Colonel Willich’s 1st German, 32nd Indiana.

Jacob Glass fought with distinction leading his company during their baptism of fire at Rowlett’s Station in December 1861 and a wound temporarily disabled him at the battle of Shiloh in April 1862, allowing him to recover at Madison. He was appointed regiment major before the battle of Stones River, and served in that capacity up to August 1863, when promoted to lieutenant colonel. On November 25, 1863, Lt. Col. Glass died during the assault on Missionary Ridge, and was buried December 18, in Plat 3 of the western section of Springdale Cemetery, Madison.

For Full Bio Click Here

Library of Congress: LC-USZ62-129662