Fred Louth

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Fred Louth
1839-1917



    Fred Louth served thirty-years in the United States Military from 1861 to 1891. He started his career in the military at the start of the Civil war. He enlisted May 7th, 1861 at the age of twenty-two. 

    He served in the civil war from start to finish. He was likely involved in the First and second Battle of Bull run, Battle of Yorktown, were a few of the most notable. By the time he mustered out he was a seasoned veteran. 

    Fred wasn't ready to put away the uniform at the end of the Civil war. He reenlisted  December 10, 1866 in St. Louis, Missouri. The war was over, but tensions were still high in the South. His job was peacekeeping in hostile territory. He'd also have been tasked with protecting Freedmen, policing, and making sure the government maintained control. 

    Fred's next assignment in the military was during the Indian Wars. Fred was serving at Fort Buford at the time Sitting Bull came in under the white flag of surrender. The surrender brought with it an end to the Indian Wars. 

    Fred would tell the story of going to the circus and when all the Native American Chiefs were riding by him on horses they stopped to greet him. He claimed they remembered him from his days out West. He served another ten years in the military retiring in 1891 at the age of 52. He served thirty years, which was very uncommon in those days. 










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