Leopold von Gilsa
| Leopold von Gilsa | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1824 Erfurt, Germany |
| Died | March 1, 1870 New York City |
| Place of burial | Green-Wood Cemetery Brooklyn |
| Allegiance |
 United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/branch | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Unit | Army of the Potomac |
| Commands held | Von Gilsa's Brigade, XI Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Soldier in the Prussian Army, Singer and pianist |
Leopold von Gilsa (died March 1, 1870) was a career soldier who served as an officer in the armies of Prussia and later the United States. He is best known for his role in the misfortunes of the XI Corps in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War, particularly at the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where many of his men were unjustly accused of cowardice.
Von Gilsa was born in Germany, and served as an officer in the Prussian Army in the First Schleswig War of 1848–51. He moved to the United States and settled in New York City, where he taught and played the piano and sang in the music halls along the Bowery.
When the Civil War erupted, von Gilsa organized the De Kalb Regiment, an all-German unit, which became the 41st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It was named for a hero of the American Revolution, Baron de Kalb. The regiment's development, which occurred in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, was reported in the New York Times during the spring of 1861. Some of the expenses were paid by the Union Defense Committee of New York City.
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