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. April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 4 is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Ornithology (from the Greek ornitha = chicken and logos = word/science) is the branch of biology concerned with the scientific study of birds. ...

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. Passy is an exclusive suburb on the Right Bank of Paris, France and traditional home to many of the citys wealthiest residents. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the United States, and is at the center of international finance, politics, music, and culture. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

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. June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

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. June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ... 1886 is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ...

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. A Sioux in traditional dress including war bonnet, circa 1908. ... A civil war is a war in which the competing parties are segments of the same country or empire. ...