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Letter from Abraham Lincoln regarding Gen. Willich
Brigadier General August “Johann” Ernst von Willich (1810–1878) was born in Braunsberg, East Prussia, and was a revolutionary during the Revolution of 1848. After the failure of the revolution, Willich immigrated to the U.S. in 1853. When the Civil War began Willich enlisted as a private in the 9th Ohio Infantry, an all-German regiment. He was later promoted to major. In August of 1861, Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton selected Willich to be appointed as the colonel of the 32nd Indiana Infantry. Willich was promoted to brigadier general, and his brigade later fought in the Battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. At this battle Willich’s horse was shot and killed, and as a result Willich was taken prisoner and spent months in Richmond’s Libby Prison. He was released as part of a prisoner exchange in May of 1863. In 1865, Willich was promoted to major general and mustered out in 1866. In this letter from President Lincoln dated January 17, 1863, he states, “Today Gov. Morton reminds me that Gen. Willich should be a Major General, & I think well of it myself upon more grounds than one.”
- Title:
- Letter from Abraham Lincoln regarding Gen. Willich
- Creator:
- Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
- Origin Date:
- 1863
- Object ID:
- 71200908300070