Hermann Lieb
Encyclopedia
Hermann 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.
. He emigrated to the United States and settled in 1856 in Decatur, Illinois
, where he began practicing law.
, Shiloh
and the siege of Corinth
.
Sometime in the spring of 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 of that year he was appointed colonel of the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery where 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He is best remembered as the commander of the Union forces at the Battle of Milliken's Bend
Battle of Milliken's Bend
The Battle of Milliken's Bend, fought June 7, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton and his army were besieged in Vicksburg, Mississippi, by Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S...
in 1863.
Early life
Lieb was born in Switzerland in 1826 and was educated there and in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He emigrated to the United States and settled in 1856 in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
, 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 DonelsonBattle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue for the invasion of the South. The success elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S...
, Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
and the siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
.
Sometime in the spring of 1863 he was appointed colonel of the 9th Louisiana Regiment of African Descent
9th Louisiana Regiment Infantry (African Descent)
The 9th Louisiana Infantry was a regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-63rd United States Colored Regiment Infantry:...
. During the Vicksburg campaign
Vicksburg Campaign
The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. The Union Army of the Tennessee under Maj. Gen....
Lieb commanded the post of Milliken's Bend along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Here, on June 7, 1863, Lieb defeated Confederate forces under General Henry E. McCulloch and was wounded during the fighting. On August 7 of that year he was appointed colonel of the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery where 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.