First Philadelphia Civil War Death

 

George Leisenring's grave.

George Leisenring, German immigrant, Fishtown resident and early volunteer, was a member of the unarmed, Philadelphia-recruited Washington Brigade that was set upon by anti-Union rioters as it passed thorough Baltimore in 1861. Leisenring was wounded (stabbed) and brought back to Pennsylvania hospital for treatment, where he died. He's buried at the Palmer Burial Ground, Palmer and Memphis Streets in Kensington.