John E. Bendix

Bendix was born in between the United States and Canada, on board the "Sarah," one of the first steamers that navigated St. Lawrence River. His parents (who were natives of Germany), returned to their native land soon after their son's birth and educated the boy in the common schools. While yet in his teens, young Bendix returned to the U.S. and settled in New York City, where he learned the trades of pattern maker and machinist. He joined the 9th New York State Militia in 1847 as a private. He was appointed as the lieutenant colonel of the 11th New York State Militia in October 1859. He became a prominent member of the New York City Freemasonry movement. Following the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Bendix organized the 7th New York Infantry and was appointed as its first colonel on April 23, 1861. He resigned that position on August 6, 1861 and became the colonel of the 10th New York Infantry (the "National Zouaves") on September 2, 1861. Bendix organized the Third Regiment (Bendix Zouaves) in November 1865. He was appointed a brevet brigadier general in the New York Militia in 1865. ==See also==