Years of service 1861-1866 Name Hermann Lieb | Service/branch Union Army | |
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Born May 24, 1826
Ermatingen, Switzerland ( 1826-05-24 ) Rank Brevet Brigadier General, U.S.V. Battles/wars American Civil War
Battle of Fort Donelson
Battle of Shiloh
Siege of Corinth
Battle of Milliken's Bend Other work lawyer, editor, postal worker, author Died March 5, 1908, Chicago, Illinois, United States Place of burial Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, United States Commands held 9th Louisiana Regiment Infantry Battles and wars Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Milliken's Bend, American Civil War Allegiance United States of America, Union | ||
Hermann Lieb (a.k.a. Herman Lieb) (May 24, 1826 – March 5, 1908) was a Swiss immigrant to the United States who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He is best remembered as the commander of the Union forces at the Battle of Milliken's Bend in 1863.
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Early life
Lieb was born in Switzerland in 1826 and was educated there and in France. He emigrated to the United States and settled in 1856 in Decatur, Illinois, where he began practicing law.
American Civil War
At the outbreak of the war, he enlisted for ninety days as a private in Company B of the 8th Illinois Infantry. Upon reorganization of the regiment as a three-year unit in July 1861, Lieb was elected captain and the following year was promoted to major. He fought at the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the siege of Corinth.
On April 14, 1863 he was appointed colonel of the 9th Louisiana Regiment of African Descent. During the Vicksburg campaign Lieb commanded the post of Milliken's Bend along the Mississippi River. Here, on June 7, 1863, Lieb defeated Confederate forces under General Henry E. McCulloch and was wounded during the fighting. On August 7 his unit was converted into an artillery unit which eventually became the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. With his regiment he performed garrison duty in the Vicksburg area for the remainder of 1863. On May 6, 1864, he was given command of the artillery forces of the Post of Vicksburg.
On March 13, 1865 Lieb was promoted to brevet brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers and was mustered out of the volunteer service on March 20, 1866.
After the War
Lieb returned to Illinois where he worked as a newspaper editor, postal worker and author. He died in 1908.