Christian Ernst William and Rosalina Zink
Christian Ernst William Zink was born 15 Feb 1847 in Sachsen-Anhalt Germany, the son of William Zink and Lena Wolff. After immigrating to the United States in 1870, he enlisted in the 21st New York Infantry formed on 3 May 1861. Companies A, B, E and G were activated at Fort Hamilton on 20 May 1862. They were sent to Harpers Ferry and on 26 May fought in a skirmish with a Confederate States Army brigade. The companies fought at the Battle of Cedar Mountain on 9 August. The companies were formed into a battalion with elements of the 8th Infantry Regiment and were the lead skirmishers of the II Corps' 2nd Division. They helped to initially break through Confederate lines, but Confederate numerical superiority forced a Union withdraw. During the retreat, the 2nd Battalion's companies suffered heavy losses while covering the retreat.
The battalion also fought at the Second Battle of Manassas and formed the rearguard during the Union retreat at that battle. The battalion then became part of V Corps and fought in the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. In March 1863, three companies of the battalion were disbanded due to a shortage of replacements. It fought in the Battle of Chancellorsville and was part of the rearguard during the retreat across the Rappahannock. The battalion then fought in the Battle of Gettysburg and suffered heavy losses.
The battalion advanced southward against the retreating Confederate Army and fought in the Overland Campaign during May 1864. The battalion served at the Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and the Battle of Cold Harbor. By June, the Union Army was beginning the Siege of Petersburg. The battalion fought in the siege but was combat ineffective due to losses by July. The surviving men were assigned to the 12th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion. By 20 September, the battalion was composed of just 48 men. It was withdrawn on 2 November and moved back to Fort Hamilton.
After the war William married Rosalina Wolf 6 June 1876 in at St Paul United Church of Christ in Newport.
Children of Christian Ernst William Zink and Rosalina Wolf
William Jacob Zink b-29 Oct 1877 in Newport;
d-10 Aug 1902 in Columbus Oh; br-Green Lawn in Columbus
Edward Adelbert Zink b-15 Mar 1879 in Cincinnati; d-Feb 1962 in Washington DC;
br-Congressional Cemetery; m-Emma S
Louisa Zink b-Sep 1881 in Cincinnati
Lena b-16 Sep 1883 in Cincinnati; d-7 May 1954 in Ft Thomas; br-Evergreen
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Children of Edward Adaldart Zink and Emma S
Frances Louise Zink b-1905 in Washington DC;
d-Oct 1981; br-Congressional Cemetery
Dorothy E Zink b-30 Nov 1907 in Washington DC; d-June 1967; br-Congressional
Cemetery
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Rosalina Zink was born 16 July 1854 in Dayton Ky. and died 25 Dec 1885 in Newport and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. William Zink died 5 May 1917 at Speers Hospital in Dayton Ky. and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.