Leopold von Gilsa

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Leopold von Gilsa (1824–1870) was a German-born soldier who served in the Prussian Army and later in the United States Army. He is best known for leading a German-American unit in the XI Corps during the Civil War, especially at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Early life
Von Gilsa was born in Erfurt, Germany. He fought as an officer in the Prussian Army during the First Schleswig War (1848–1851). He then moved to New York City, where he taught and performed as a pianist and singer.

Civil War service
He organized the De Kalb Regiment, an all-German unit that became the 41st New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment formed in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood and sailed to Washington, D.C., in July 1861. It served in early campaigns around Bull Run and in western Virginia under John C. Frémont. Von Gilsa was badly wounded at the Battle of Cross Keys in June 1862.

After recovering, he became a brigade commander in Julius Stahel’s First Division, XI Corps. The regiment then fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run and later took part in reconnaissance into Virginia after the Battle of Antietam.

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
At the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, von Gilsa’s brigade held the Union right flank. He warned the commander that Confederates were near, but his warning was ignored. The Confederate assault that followed routed his brigade, and von Gilsa and other German officers faced blame rooted in xenophobia at the time.

Gettysburg followed in July 1863. On the first day, von Gilsa’s troops were on the right flank at a position known as Barlow Knoll. They were then moved to a lane at the foot of Cemetery Hill on the second day. The line was thin, and Early’s Confederate division broke through briefly, but XI Corps soldiers, aided by II Corps, held the line on the third day.

Later service
After Gettysburg, Alexander Schimmelfennig briefly took command of the brigade, and von Gilsa returned to command of his regiment. The division was moved to the Department of the South. Von Gilsa then commanded the First Brigade, Gordon’s Division, X Corps, on Folly Island, South Carolina, from August 1863 to June 1864. He also led the garrison there and conducted reconnaissance and small raids.

The De Kalb veterans returned to New York City in June 1864, and von Gilsa remained in service with new recruits until December 9, 1865. He mustered out of the volunteer service in December 1865.

Death and legacy
Von Gilsa died in New York City on March 1, 1870, and was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Franz Sigel delivered a brief eulogy, and fellow officers like Barlow and Carl Schurz praised his courage. His soldiers remembered him fondly, even as his units faced harsh criticism during the war.