Julius Raith facts for kids
Julius Raith (born March 29, 1819 – died April 11, 1862) was a brave German-American soldier. He served as an officer in two important conflicts: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Sadly, he was badly hurt during the Battle of Shiloh and later died from his injuries.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to America
Julius Raith was born in Germany in 1819. When he was about 17 years old, in 1836, he moved to the United States with his family. They made their new home in a place called St. Clair County, Illinois.
A Soldier's Journey
Julius Raith had a strong sense of duty and became a military officer. He fought in two major wars for his new country.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
His first big conflict was the Mexican-American War. During this war, he was in charge of a group of soldiers called a company. These soldiers were part of the 2nd Illinois Volunteers.
Joining the Civil War
Later, when the American Civil War began, Julius Raith stepped up again. He worked with another important person, Gustav Koerner, to help create a special German regiment. A regiment is a large group of soldiers.
The Battle of Shiloh
One of the most famous battles Julius Raith fought in was the Battle of Shiloh. This was a very tough and important battle during the Civil War.
Raith's Role in Battle
During the Battle of Shiloh, Julius Raith led a large group of soldiers called a brigade. This brigade was part of General John Alexander McClernand's division. Raith's own regiment, the 43rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was part of this brigade. Other regiments with him included the 17th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the 29th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and the 49th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
His Injury and Death
While fighting bravely, Raith was hit in the leg by a type of bullet called a Minié ball. This happened above his knee. He lay wounded on the battlefield for a whole day, about 24 hours. Sadly, he later developed an infection called tetanus from his injury. Tetanus is a very serious illness that can happen after a deep wound. Julius Raith died from these injuries on April 11, 1862.
