Age: 34
Allegiance: Union
Highest Rank: Captain
Unit: Companies A & B, 140th New York Volunteer Infantry
Occupation: Clerk
Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, New York
On August 19, 1862, August Meyer was named one of the original 37 recruiting officers for the regiment that was to become the 140th New York. On August 30th, Meyer was mustered in as the First Lieutenant of Company B. The company was composed primarily of Germans from the City of Rochester, New York. Christian Speis was named Captain and Charles Klein the Second Leuitenant.
Charles Klein related this incident involving Meyer published in the Nov. 21, 1862 issue of The Democrat & American:
"We remained at Snicker's Gap until Nov. 6th, when we again took up the march and got as far as Middleburg - a distance of eighteen miles from the gap. We halted a short time in the street, while the boys filled their canteens with water from the well. During our short stay, plenty of paroled rebel prisoners could be seen, as well as rebel women, who refused to allow the soldiers to take water. One Mrs. Dr. Corcoran, whose husband is in the rebel service, refused to give up the handle of the pump. Lieut. Meyer, who happened to be in the squad for water, said if she would not hand it over, or say where it was he would destroy the pump or cause search to be made, should there be time. The darkey, who was standing beside her mistress, becoming somewhat alarmed at this, showed the Lieutenant where he could find the handle - the mistress having gone to the front door to call for aid from the Colonel."
In May of 1863 tragedy struck Meyer's family. He received notification that his wife was seriously ill and that his eldest daughter had already died. August Meyer was granted a ten day furlough to attend his family.
Meyer was well thought of as an officer and was promoted to the Captaincy of Company A on Nov. 17, 1863. "A" Company was composed primarly from men recruited in the village of Brockport, NY.
August Meyer was mortally wounded at the head of Company A on May 5, 1864 during the charge at Saunder's Field. Meyer was shot through the upper right side of his abdomen and was at first expected to recover. He didn't, dying from his wounds May 24, 1864.
The following are accounts of his burial taken from local papers:
Rochester Evening Express, May 28, 1864: "Arrival of the Remains of Capt. Meyer - Funeral To-Morrow.- The body of the brave Capt. Meyer, of the 140th regiment, reached here this morning, by the Genesee Valley Railroad. They were taken from the cars to his late residence, where they will remain until the time fixed for the burial. "The funeral services will take place at the house, corner of Atwater and Clinton streets, to-morrow, at 2 p.m. It is expected that the 54th regiment [local militia], the Masonic Fraternity and the Turnverein, will attend in their uniform or regalia, and that the body of the fallen soldier will be committed to the grave with all the honors accorded to soldiers and to members of the other associations with which deceased was connected. All loyal citizens will be glad to do honor to the memory of one who fell bravely fighting the battles of his adopted country."
Rochester Evening Express, May 29, 1864: "Funeral of Capt. Meyers - On Saturday forenoon the remains of Capt. Meyers, of the 140th regiment arrived in this city, and yesterday afternoon that were consigned to their final resting place in Mount Hope Cemetery. The funeral services were held at the house, corner of North Clinton and Atwater streets. A large number of people attended. Capt. Meyers was buried with Masonic and Military honors. The Masons headed the procession to the grave and were followed by Co. B, 54th N.Y.N.G., under the command of Capt. Schoen. Then came the hearse, and next a long line of citizens on foot. The carriages with relatives and friends of the deceased brought up the rear. At the grave the usual ceremonies took place. "An uncomfortable rain storm prevailed during most of the afternoon, and so large a turn out, under the circumstances, was an expressive testimonial of the respect in which Capt. Meyers was held."
Rochester Evening Express, May 29, 1864: "The Obsequies of Capt. Meyer.- The obsequies of Capt. Meyer were observed yesterday afternoon at the house, corner of Clinton and Atwater streets. Previous to entering the army Capt. M. was for nine years employed at Burk, Fitz, Simmons, Hone & Co.'s dry goods house, and was chief clerk of the German department. The numerous clerks of the establishment, headed by Messrs. Burke, Fitz, Simmons, Hone and Gaffney, were in the procession, together with members of the Masonic Order, Co. B, 54th Regiment, of which deceased was a member, the Maennerchor and other German societies, headed by Newman's Band. At the grave the ceremonies were of a most imposing character. The Maennerchor, of which deceased was also a member, sang with thrilling effect a piece which had always been a favorite with Capt. Meyer. Mr. William Graebe made a few remarks upon the private character and military life of Capt. Meyer, paying a high tribute to the memory of the deceased as a citizen and soldier, alluding to his death as a loss to the country, a severe bereavement to the wife and child, and a loss to society.