BTW, how many Amish live over there?

Well, BY, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, alone, home of the Pennsylvania "Dutch" (Dutch being a misnomer, a corruption of Deutsch), the population of "the plain folk" has doubled over the past two decades to 18,000. Of course the whole state far surpasses that. Other states with large Amish/Mennonite populations are, in order, Ohio (over 35,000), Indiana, and Wisconsin, probably more in other Midwestern states. But I'm having trouble finding a Census 2000 figure for the total population. One of the most famous, feared, and courageous US Civil War fighting outfits was Wisconsin's German-American "Iron Brigade" or "The Black Hats", so-named because of the trademark wide-rimmed hats they wore into battle. Unfortunately, the brigade came to its end when it was practically annihilated at Gettysburg. Comprised mostly of German immigrant farmers they were noted for holding fast and advancing their positions in battle, until their valiant efforts at Gettysburg nearly wiped them out, but saved the day (and perhaps the war), by keeping the first day of that battle from becoming a complete Union rout.

Another Civil War tidbit: General O.O. Howard, who commanded the Union 11th Corps, spoke only German and had to use an interpreter to communicate in English. The 11th Corps were mostly German troops and officers, so this was actually a benefit rather than a detriment.

General O. O. Howard commanded the corps at Chancellorsville, May 1 - 3, 1863, at which time it numbered 12,169 effectives, and was composed of the divisions of Generals Devens, Von 'Steinwehr, and Schurz. It contained 27 regiments of infantry, of which 13 were German regiments.

There was also a General Shimmelpfennig.

[EDIT: ] BTW, the German Civil War troops were mostly Lutheran and Methodist.

(And in Deference to those who may have missed the old Civil War nomenclature thread: The Civil War, The War Between the States, The War of Northern Agression, The Great Rebellion)