CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  AUGUSTUS BUCHEL 

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Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
17 November 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

AUGUSTUS BUCHEL

Augustus Buchel, of Indianola, was born near Mayence, on the Rhine, in 1811. 
He was educated at the military academy of Mayence and completed at the 
"Edole Militaire" of Paris. In consequence of his talents and superior 
capabilities in the sciences of war, he was selected by Ali Pasha to 
accompany him to Turkey where he was appointed military instructor of the  
Turkish army, with the rank and pay of colonel. His attachment to the 
Christian religion prevented his advancement. At the beginning of the 
Carlist war in Spain he proceeded thither and entered the army of Queen 
Christiana. For meritorious service he received the Knight Cross of the 
Order of the Golden Crosses.  He came to the Republic of Texas in 1845, 
locating in Indianola. In May 1846 when Gen. Zachary Taylor called for 
volunteers, he raised and was chosen captain of a company that joined the 
American army, and later was transferred to Gen. Taylor's staff and promoted 
to major. He was commended in orders for his bravery at the battle of Buna 
Vista. It is said that had Gen. Taylor lived a few days longer after being 
elected president he would have appointed Buchel to be Minister 
Plenipotentiary to Brazil. President Pierce made him collector for the port 
of Lacoca. During the Cortena war he formed a company and went to the scene 
of lawlessness. When the great war came in 1861 he became lieutenant- 
colonel of Luckett's regiment, and later was made colonel of a regiment of 
Texan cavalry which he was leading in battle at Pleasant Hill, April 9, 
1864, when he received the fatal wound from which he died four days later at 
Mansfield. Texas has erected a monument over his grave in the State cemetery 
at Austin.