Charles Bendire
Encyclopedia
Major
Charles Emil Bendire (April 27, 1836 – February 4, 1897) was a United States Army
soldier
and noted ornithologist and oologist. The Bendire's Thrasher
is named for him.
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 meet their expectations. Wilhelm Bender soon sailed for home, but was lost overboard at sea.
Bendire served for five years as a private and subsequently 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 successively as a private, corporal, sergeant, and a hospital steward until he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry on May 18, 1864. He transferred to the 1st Cavalry on September 9, 1864 and was eventually promoted to 1st Lieutenant (for "for gallant and meritorious services" at the battle of Trevilian Station
during the American Civil War
), and later to captain, and then major. He retired on April 24, 1886 for disability contracted in the line of duty.
During Bendire's service in the army he was sent to many locations, often isolated, across America, for example Virginia
, Arizona
, Washington and California
. Bendire mainly fought against American Indians
during the periods of the United States' expansions. It was during these travels across North America that he developed a fondness for all things wild, and particularly bird
s.
, and Robert Ridgway, who would publish them in American naturalist magazines like Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club and the American Naturalist
. However in 1877, he began to publish articles under his own name.
He frequently donated samples, especially eggs, to the U.S. National Museum in Washington, D.C.
. He made new discoveries about the migration habits of various birds and discovered several new species, including the Bendire's Thrasher
, Toxostoma bendirei.
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Charles Emil Bendire (April 27, 1836 – February 4, 1897) was a United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and noted ornithologist and oologist. The Bendire's Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher a perching bird native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, is a medium-sized species of thrasher.-General information:...
is named for him.
Early life
Born Karl Emil Bender at König im OdenwaldBad König
Bad König is a town and resort in the central Odenwald in the Odenwaldkreis in Hesse, Germany, 29 km southeast of Darmstadt.- Neighbouring communities :...
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
Passy
Passy is an area of Paris, France, located in the XVIe arrondissement, on the Right Bank. It is traditionally home to many of the city's wealthiest residents.Passy was formerly a commune...
, near Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Karl left school suddenly and returned home, and on the advice of a friend he and his brother Wilhelm Bender left for New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1853. Upon arrival they found that the new world did not meet their expectations. Wilhelm Bender soon sailed for home, but was lost overboard at sea.
Army career
After his brother's departure, Bender enlisted in the United States Army at the age of eighteen on June 10, 1854, changing his name to Charles Bendire, dropping his middle name altogether. Although Bendire would later start using his middle initial again in correspondence and public notes, his legally official name did not contain a middle name.Bendire served for five years as a private and subsequently 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 successively as a private, corporal, sergeant, and a hospital steward until he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry on May 18, 1864. He transferred to the 1st Cavalry on September 9, 1864 and was eventually promoted to 1st Lieutenant (for "for gallant and meritorious services" at the battle of Trevilian Station
Battle of Trevilian Station
The Battle of Trevilian Station was fought on June 11–12, 1864, in Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan fought against Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gens...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
), and later to captain, and then major. He retired on April 24, 1886 for disability contracted in the line of duty.
During Bendire's service in the army he was sent to many locations, often isolated, across America, for example Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, Washington and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Bendire mainly fought against American Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
during the periods of the United States' expansions. It was during these travels across North America that he developed a fondness for all things wild, and particularly bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s.
Ornithology
He initially sent letters containing his observations to other American naturalists such as Joel A. Allen, Thomas M. Brewer, Elliott CouesElliott Coues
Elliott Coues was an American army surgeon, historian, ornithologist and author.Coues was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He graduated at Columbian University, Washington, D.C., in 1861, and at the Medical school of that institution in 1863...
, and Robert Ridgway, who would publish them in American naturalist magazines like Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club and the American Naturalist
American Naturalist
The American Naturalist is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal that was established in 1867. It is published by the University of Chicago Press on behalf of the American Society of Naturalists. The journal covers research in ecology, evolutionary biology, population, and integrative biology....
. However in 1877, he began to publish articles under his own name.
He frequently donated samples, especially eggs, to the U.S. National Museum in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. He made new discoveries about the migration habits of various birds and discovered several new species, including the Bendire's Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher a perching bird native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, is a medium-sized species of thrasher.-General information:...
, Toxostoma bendirei.