Francis Adolf Kuntz

Frantz Kuntz enlisted in the Union Army on 3 Sept 1862 in Brooklyn. He was mustered into service on 13 Oct 1862, the same day his second daughter was born. Listed as a 37 yr old laborer, 5 feet tall with grey eyes; a fair complexion and black hair he was leaving behind his wife of 5 years (married 14 Oct 1857 in St. Benedict's Church in Brooklyn) and two young daughters. Newborn Anna Maria was baptized on 2 Nov 1862 without her father's presence and just one witness: Catharina Kuntz who also stood as Godmother for both of Frantz' children. Catherina Kuntz, his eldest daughter, was born 30 Oct 1860 and baptized on 18 Nov of the same year. The service was held at Most Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn.

Frantz was a Private in the 173 Regiment Company "C" of the NY Volunteer Army. He was on the front line of the Union's early plans to defeat the Confederates by sailing as part of Admiral David Farragut's fleet to the southern area of Louisiania in an effort to control the mouth of the Mississippi River. Early success in New Orleans led them on to more dangerous cities on the Mississippi. Frantz was listed as a deserter of his unit in April 1863.

In a letter dated Nov 15, 1865 by Howard C. Conrady, Captain of Company C of the 173rd Regt. wrote "Francis Kuntz was left sick in hospital at Brashear City, La. in April 1863 and has since been missing. It had been reported that he was shot in the groin by rebel soldiers at the capture of Brashear City by the so called Confederate forces under General Dick Taylor July 1863 and that he died a few days after in the hands of the enemy."

It was reported that 1300 men were captured in the raid of the Union controlled city. Note: Brashear City, La. has since been renamed Morgan City, La.

One can only imagine what life was like or would become for his widow, Anna. She filed a widow's application for benefits on 8 March 1865 after gathering the necessary paperwork and obtaining two witnesses, Louis Droesch and Joseph Niebel, fellow residents of Brooklyn, to swear under oath that they knew Ann M Kuntz and her husband were living together as husband and wife for years. A monthly benefit of $8.00 was approved retroactively to her late husband's date of death and the charge of desertion was removed. Just 3 years after Anna's benefit was approved grief would strike again. This time her younger daughter and namesake Anna Maria would die on May 1, 1868 age 5.

Furthermore, widow Anna Maria would die herself on 6 July 1876. Kate, the only remaining member of her immediate family is shown as married to Joseph Ripp on the 1880 census and living at 569 Herkimer Ave. in Brooklyn. Perhaps not so coincidentially, Capt. Howard C. Conrady and his family are living very near at 544 Herkimer Ave. After the war, Howard Conrady went back to school- Columbia Law School and became a lawyer. In 1890, when the Federal law was changed to assist those affected by the war, Howard Conrady helped Kate receive benefits. Kate went on to have 6 children and lived to age 79. She had to endure more tragedy when her 65 year old husband a night watchman at a Brooklyn Storage Warehouse was crushed to death in an elevator accident while wedged between the elevator lift and the wall of the shaft.

November 15, 1865 Letter from Capt. Howard C. Conrady, 173rd New York Regiment:

"This will certify that Francis Kuntz of Brooklyn N.Y. enlisted as a private soldier in my Company C. 173rd Regt. N.Y. Vol Inft on the 2d day of September 1862 and that he did not receive $25.00 advance bounty or any bounty from the United States whatsoever when he entered the service and was therefore entitled to $100.00 United States bounty upon being discharged.

"I further state that the said private Francis Kuntz was left sick in hospital at Brashear City, La. in April 1863 and has since been missing. It has been reported that he was shot in the groin by Rebel soldiers at the time of the capture of Brasher City by the so called confederate forces under Genl. Dick Taylor July 1863 and that he died a few days after in the hands of the enemy. His name by some clerical error on the muster in and muster out rolls of the company appears as Francis Kortz instead of Francis Kuntz all the facts concerning him as to pay & bounty are noted opposite his name on the muster out rolls of the company appears in the columns of remarks.

"Very respectfully, Howard C. Conrady late Captain Co. C. 173rd New York Infantry

Reported by Ripp family genealogy: 2/21/1864 Letter from Capt. Howard C. Cesaraiulz [? probably Capt. Howard C. Conrady] with the Union Army during the Civil War: "Private Francis Kuntz was sent to Hospital at Berwick City, LA. He (Capt. Cesaraiultz) had not heard since about him. Private Kuntz ws sent there from Opelousas, LA. He did hear later that Franzis Suntz had died in Hispital at Bernick City, LA. He had been absent from his Company for 10 months and his family had been inquiring regarding his whereabouts. Capt. C. ws upset he had received no official notification."

5/2/1862 Citizenship request by Frank Kuntz to Kings County Court.

10/13/1857 marriage between Franciscus Cunz (Kunz) and Anna Maria Memer (Memmer) at St. Benedict's R.C. Church, Brooklyn. The parish was closed in 1973; the records were transferred to the diocese chancery.