Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2022
Andrew Ferdinand Kreger was born Jan. 15, 1839, in Germany, the son of Andrew Christ Kreger and his wife, Wilhelmina. While still young, Andrew and his parents emigrated to America, settling in Buffalo, New York. The last name, Kreger, was sometimes called Krueger and sometimes Krieger, but in later life his last name was Kreger.
Andrew moved to St. Paul, Minnesota Territory in 1854. When he was 22 years old, he lived in Waconia when he heard about the Civil War. On April 29, 1861, he became part of Company C, First Minnesota Infantry, where he was promoted to corporal and then sergeant.
In the famous battle of Gettysburg on July 3, Andrew was one of many First Minnesota men who helped repel the Rebels, but at great sacrifice. Eighty-two percent of the First Minnesota men were killed or wounded at Gettysburg, the highest casualty rate of the war.
At one point, Union general Winfield Scott Hancock ordered the 262 men of the First Minnesota to charge the 1,600 advancing Alabama Rebels. Sgt. Alfred Carpenter, in a letter at the Minnesota Historical Society, recalled, “We advanced down the slope… Comrade after comrade dropped from the ranks; but the line went. No one took a second look at his fallen companion. We had no time to weep.”
A letter sent to the Winona Republican newspaper said, “We are in the midst of a terrible battle. Two thirds of the regiment are killed or wounded. We got the better of the enemy in the fight, and our regiment captured one stand of colors.”
The Union and Confederacy suffered 45 thousand casualties at Gettysburg. Over 620 thousand soldiers died in the Civil War. Andrew Kreger was wounded in the left thigh during Gettysburg. He was in the hospital at Harper’s Ferry, and was mustered out on May 5, 1864, according to the St. Paul Dispatch, June 22, 1911.
On May 16, 1866, Andrew married Mary Ann Moormann at Assumption Catholic Church in St. Paul. They had eight children.
For 22 years he was employed as a car and truck builder in the Northern Pacific shops in St. Paul, according to the Scott County Argus on March 10, 1916. He also worked as a custodian at the McClellan School in St. Paul.
In 1915, Andrew moved to Shakopee to be with his daughter. On March 2, 1916, he died from heart trouble. He was ill only one day, and his death came as a great shock to many relatives and friends, according to the Shakopee Tribuneon March 10, 1916.
The funeral was held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee. A G.A.R. ritual with Commander Eli Southworth of General Shields Post happened before the funeral at the home. Rev. Fr. Andrew Koller officiated at the funeral of the old veteran. Military honors were given at the grave at the Catholic cemetery, with trumpeter Walter Hancock sounding the taps.