b. 10/05/1841 France. d. 16/05/1913 College Point, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 18/06/1864 Petersburg, Virginia.
Carl Ludwig was born on May 10, 1841 in either Germany or France (Carl Ludwig commonly referred to his place of birth as Paris, France, although some documentation for both him and his brother more likely suggest Hot Altenig, Brachander Fulda, Germany). He arrived in the United States on June 20, 1861 and entered the Army alongside his brother William three months later. Assigned to the 34th New York Battery, Ludwig was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness, yet fought (and was later recognized for bravery) in the Battle of Petersburg only 5 weeks later.
Carl Ludwig received the Congressional Medal of Honor on July 30, 1896 for his bravery and actions during the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia (June 18, 1864). Upon his return from service, Carl Ludwig married and had three daughters. (The 1870 census suggests a fourth child who may have died at an early age.) He became an original member of the Adam Wirth Post No. 451 (see Adam Wirth Post No. 451, G.A.R). Carl Ludwig died on May 16, 1913 from liver cancer and is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
MOH CITATION:
As gunner of his piece, inflicted singly a great loss upon the enemy and distinguished himself in the removal of the piece while under a heavy fire.
BURIAL LOCATION: FLUSHING CEMETERY, FLUSHING, NEW YORK.
SECTION 1, DIVISION A, PLOT 3, GRAVE 4.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: WEST POINT MUSEUM, WEST POINT, NEW YORK.