Born in Prussia, Pitzman worked in St. Louis as a surveyor and engineer. When General Fremont arrived in St. Louis in 1861, Pitzman volunteered his services and was appointed first lieutenant of the Topographical Engineers. He accompanied General Hallack to Shiloh, TN, where he created the topographical map to accompany the official report just four days after the battle. After recovering from thyroid fever, he returned to duty with General Grant, taking part in the crossing of the Mississippi River and the advance on Vicksburg. He was badly wounded while conducting a survey of the Vicksburg siege lines and returned to St. Louis for recuperation. There he accepted nomination for county surveyor. He later voluntarily returned to duty as a major during General Sterling Price´s raid into Missouri and supervised the construction of fortifications near Washington, MO before returning to civilian life.