Civil War Union General. In 1856, he came to the United States and worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. By the time the Civil War began, he had changed his name to Turchin, joined the Union service and was commissioned Colonel of the 19th Illinois Volunteers in June 1861. After leading his troops in operations in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama he obtained a brigade command in the Army of the Ohio. On May 2, 1862, after actions at Athens, Alabama, Colonel Turchin allowed his troops to loot and torch the city. Because of his implications, Major General Don Carlos Buell had Turchin court-martialed for this action and ordered him cashiered. However, President Lincoln was persuaded to override Buell's order and he was promoted Brigadier General in July 1862. He went on to serve in the XV Corps at Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the Atlanta Campaign. Due to poor health he resigned his commission in October of 1864. After the war, he returned to Chicago, worked as an engineer and a patent solicitor. In later years, he lost his sanity and died in an insane asylum in Anna, Illinois.
Civil War Union General. In 1856, he came to the United States and worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. By the time the Civil War began, he had changed his name to Turchin, joined the Union service and was commissioned Colonel of the 19th Illinois Volunteers in June 1861. After leading his troops in operations in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama he obtained a brigade command in the Army of the Ohio. On May 2, 1862, after actions at Athens, Alabama, Colonel Turchin allowed his troops to loot and torch the city. Because of his implications, Major General Don Carlos Buell had Turchin court-martialed for this action and ordered him cashiered. However, President Lincoln was persuaded to override Buell's order and he was promoted Brigadier General in July 1862. He went on to serve in the XV Corps at Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the Atlanta Campaign. Due to poor health he resigned his commission in October of 1864. After the war, he returned to Chicago, worked as an engineer and a patent solicitor. In later years, he lost his sanity and died in an insane asylum in Anna, Illinois.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
BRIG. GEN'L U.S.V.
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