Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
May 22, 1988
By Jan Buffington
Vigo County Historical Society
Nothing could stop immigrant
This week’s historical treasure is a photograph of a brave and determined young Civil War soldier, Nicholas Filbeck.
He was born in Viernheim, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Dec. 15, 1843, to Philip and Anna (Winkler). His family came to Indianapolis in 1847 and his mother died soon after they settled there. After putting the children in the care of some friends, Filbeck went west but returned to Indiana in 1850 and settled in Terre Haute. His two surviving children joined him in 1853.
Nicholas attended public and Lutheran schools in Terre Haute, and earned his own way by working in his father’s grocery store.
When the Civil War broke out, Nicholas was only 17. He went against his father’s wishes and joined the 32nd Indiana Infantry in 1861. This infantry was known as the 1st German Regiment under Col. Willich.
The 32nd was to rendezvous in Indianapolis. To get away without arousing his father’s suspicion, Nicholas left a few days early. His father discovered the truth and followed Nicholas to Indianapolis, where he was able to get his son out of the regiment. Before they could get back to Terre Haute, Nicholas escaped and joined the regiment again. Filbeck finally gave his permission when he realized how determined his son was to fight for his county.
The 32nd fought the first Kentucky fight at Rowlett’s Station; the second day’s fight at Shiloh under Gen. Buell; the siege of Corinth; and at Battle Creek. Ala. From there the soldiers passed through Jasper and Sequatchie valleys up to Walden Ridge Gap, and from a high point, the army (McCook’s Division) advanced on Chattanooga.
Nicholas was wounded Dec. 31, 1862. He was hit in the fleshy part of his right leg and the tendons of his foot were cut. He was carried quite a distance from the fighting and was left there. A passing cavalry soldier heard his cries for help and took him to a friend’s home The men were Rebel spies, and they turned Nicholas over to Dick McCann’s Rebel Cavalry. He stayed with them 12 days, but they couldn’t provide proper treatment for his wounds, so they helped him get to the Union hospital at Nashville, Tenn.
Nicholas suffered from gangrene and lockjaw. He stayed in Nashville until his father had him transferred to Louisville, Ky., where he lay helpless from February until May when he was transferred to the Soldier’s Home in Indianapolis. He recovered enough to use crutches.
Nicholas refused an honorable discharge and begged to return to his regiment. He was assigned to duty with the quartermaster so he could ride when his regiment was on the move. His physical disabilities prevented him from becoming an orderly sergeant or from carrying arms, but he stayed with his regiment until he was mustered out Sept. 7, 1864.
After returning home, Nicholas worked in his father’s mill, the Old Telegraph Mill, until he teamed with his brother-in-law, B. Sittele. They ran the Cincinnati Hotel three years.
In 1867 he married Rosina Kiefner and they had five children: Anna Maria, Louise Catherine, Charles Henry, Rutherford Nicholas and Nelle Cecilia.
In 1869, he purchased the lease and fixtures of the Filbeck House. He bought the house and grounds in 1876.
Nicholas Filbeck became postmaster of Terre Haute in 1873 and held that post for two terms. He was active in politics and was nominated to run for county sheriff, but lost by only 38 votes. At that time, he was 25 years old and the youngest man to run for that office.
He was chairman of the county’s Republican Central Committee for 20 years, and was a member of the State Committee six of those years. He worked for his party as long as he could and was vice chairman of the campaign in 1896.
He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity, and the Germania Society.
This photograph is an enlargement of a tintype. The frame is wood with ornate gesso molding.
The picture was given to the museum by Malcolm Steele in memory of his wife, Nelle Filbeck Steele. The photograph is on the wall just outside the Victorian Parlor on the second floor.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.