Julius Raith (March 29, 1819 – April 11, 1862) was a German-American military officer who served in the American Civil War and the Mexican–American War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh.

Born in Göttingen, Hanover, Raith came to the United States in 1836 with his family, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois.[1] During the Mexican–American War, he led a company of 2nd Illinois Volunteers. When the Civil War broke out, he helped Gustave Koerner organize a German regiment.[2]

During the Battle of Shiloh, he led a brigade in General McClernand's division composed of his own regiment, the 43rd Illinois along with the 17th Illinois, the 29th Illinois, and the 49th Illinois.[3] The actual commanding officer was Colonel Leonard Fulton Ross, who was absent, leaving Colonel James S. Reardon in charge; however, Reardon was ill.[4] Raith was wounded by a minie ball in the leg above the knee and laid on the battlefield for 24 hours. He died of tetanus from his injuries.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Col Julius Raith". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  2. ↑ O. Edward Cunningham. Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862. New York: Savas Beatie, LLC.
  3. 1 2 James Grant Wilson (1862). Biographical Sketches of Illinois Officers Engaged in the War Against the... Chicago.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ↑ "Shiloh National Military Park Raith Monument". Retrieved 2014-04-17.

See also

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