Anton Dast [aka Dost]

Anton was born ca. 1831 in the village of Oberlungwitz, Chemnitzer Land County, Kingdom of Saxony.

When he enlisted in 1861, he stood 5'6.25", had a healthy complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He had worked as a tailor in Philadelphia. Recruited by Capt. V. Hartung, he mustered into service on 5 August 1861 for three years as a private. He was promoted to corporal on the 5th February 1862. He was discharged from the regiment while in hospital at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. He saw action at Cross Keys.

He married, probably in Boston before the War ,Mary who also was from Saxony. They had three boys - Gustav, Theodore, and Herman. A girl Hedwig (Hettie) was born in 1862 while he was in the Army. Family stories tell how Mary rowed down the Delaware to show him his baby girl at Fort Mifflin. Although, the evidence only shows he was discharged while at Fort McHenry. He was discharged from the unit after a lengthy period in the hospital at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore.

He lived in Philadelphia all his life and died in Nov 1903. He had the asthma all his life. It seems he smoked Jimson Weed that he got at the Pharmacy to alleviate symptoms. He continued to work as a tailor when he could. The later census lists his occupation as a liquor dealer.

For those wanting to exchange information about Anton, please contact Ed Hines. The picture is one of Anton in his uniform and the Company ‘A’ can be clearly seen on his kepi.