More than 200,000 native-born Germans and another 250,000 first-generation German-Americans joined the fight for the North. This group formed the largest ethnic contingent to support the Union cause.
New York supplied the highest number with 36,000 native-born Germans followed by Wisconsin with 30,000 men. Ohio contributed another 20,000 soldiers to the Union ranks.
Major General Franz Sigel was the highest ranking German-American officer in the Union Army. He was a native German who commanded many troops during the conflict after President Abraham Lincoln appointed him politically to win votes from the German population.
Union Capt. Nathaniel Lyon engaged in a covert operation disguised as a woman searching for evidence of any secessionist threat. The prisoners were guarded by two lines of German-American Union soldiers unpopular with many native-born Missourians which led to tensions and a final death toll reaching 28 people.