Charles Bendire

Major Charles Emil Bendire, (April 27, 1836 - February 4, 1897) was a captain of the United States Army who retired upon reaching the rank of Major. He was also a nature enthusiast and famed ornithologist in his own right.

Early Life

Born Karl Emil Bender at Koenig im Odenwald in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, he was the eldest of six children. Bender was home schooled until the age of twelve, after which he attended five years at a theological school at Passy, near Paris. Karl left school suddenly and returned home, and on the advice of a friend he and his brother Wilhelm Bender left for New York in 1853. Upon arrival they found that the new world did not exactly meet their grand expectations. Wilhelm Bender soon sought to return home, but was lost at sea when he fell overboard.

Army Career

After his brother's departure, Bender enlisted in the United States armed forces at the age of eighteen on June 10, 1854 and changed his name to Charles Bendire, dropping his middle name altogether. Although Bendire would later start using his middle initial again in correspondance and public notes, his legally official name did not contain a middle name.

Bendire served for five years as a Private and late a Corporal in Company D, First Dragoons. After his tour of duty ended Bendire left the army for one year, but re-enlisted on June 8, 1860 and was assigned to the 4th Cavalry, where he served as a Private, Corporal, Sergeant, and a Hospital Stewart until he was assigned as a 2nd Liuetenant, 2nd Infantry on May 18, 1864 and discharged by reason of appoinment on September 9, 1864. He was transferred to the 1st Cavalry and over the years promoted to 1st Liuetenant, Captain, Major, and placed on retirement on April 24, 1886 for diabiliy contracted in the line of duty.

During Bendire's service in the army he was sent to many locations across America, from Virginia to Califonia. Bendire mainly fought against Native American Indians during the periods of the United States' expansions and later fought in the Civil War in the Army of the Potomac. It was during his travels across North America that he developed a fondness for all things wild.