b. 28/06/1838 Germany. d. 12/09/1913 Columbiaville, Michigan.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 12/05/1864 Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Alber was born on June 28, 1838 in Germany. He joined the 17th Michigan Infantry from Manchester, Michigan in July 1862. In 1864, while serving as a Private during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, he rescued an officer from his regiment who had been captured by Confederate troops, and captured two of the Confederates.He served through the end of the war, and was honorably mustered out on June 3, 1865, at Delaney House, Washington, D.C. His Medal was awarded to him on July 30, 1896, thirty-two years later. He was one of eight 17th Michigan soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Civil War (the others being Private Joseph E. Brandle, Corporal John A. Falconer , Private Andrew J. Kelley, Sergeant Daniel McFall, Corporal Irwin Shepard, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Swift, and Sergeant Charles A. Thompson).
MOH CITATION:
Bravely rescued Lt. Charles H. Todd of his regiment who had been captured by a party of Confederates by shooting down one, knocking over another with the butt of his musket, and taking them both prisoners.
BURIAL LOCATION: OREGON TOWNSHIP CEMETERY, LAPEER COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SECTION 1, LOT 1.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
