CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY
Extended Edition
VOL. XV
TEXAS
(Reproduced from the holdings of the Texas State Archives)
pp. 712-713

 George Bernhard Zimpelman, of Austin, a veteran of Terry's Texas Rangers, was born
in Baveria, July 24, 1832, son of John J. Zimpelman, a prosperous farmer of that country. 
In 1845, attracted by the fame of the young republic of Texas, he came to America, and
after spending about a year at New Orleans settled at Austin, then on the frontier of the
settled territory.  The growth of the place demanding builders, he busied himself in that
employment, and in due time, became a master carpenter.  Later he engaged in farming
and stock raising, until the call to arms in 1861, when he promptly responded in behalf of
his adopted country, and went into Kentucky as a private soldier in Col. B. F. Terry's
Eighth regiment Texas cavalry, the Rangers, famous both North and South and
conspicuous in many battle stories.  He shared all the battles of his command from
Woodsonville to Bentonville, except when disabled by wounds.  Among his principal
engagements were Forrest's capture of Murfreesboro; the fighting under Wheeler at the
same place at the close of 1862; Shiloh, Perryville, Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Marietta,
New Hope Church and Decatur.  He was three times wounded during the battles about
Atlanta, and three times in other engagements.  When the war came to an end he resumed
life upon his farm near Austin, and in 1866 he was elected sheriff of the county, a high
honor for the young soldier.  He was prevented from serving by the reconstruction
regime, but when that was past he was again elected in 1869 and 1873, serving until
1876.  On retiring from this office he engaged in banking for a short time at Austin. 
Subsequently he was interested in mining for three years in Chihuahua, Mex., and
executing a public contract for the survey of lands, and after his return to Austin he
engaged in mining projects in Lower California.  He served as postmaster of Austin
during Mr. Cleveland's first administration, had the rank of colonel on the staff of
Governor Ross, and was commissary-general on the staff of Maj-Gen. W. B. Sayers,
commanding the Texas division United Confederate veterans.  Mr. Zimpelman has taken
an active part in building and development of the capital city and is counted among its
most honored citizens.  He is a faithful friend of his Confederate comrades, and true to
the memories of the great conflict in which he fought and suffered for the South.