John B. Turchin: A Russian Views the American Civil War.
Abstract
John Basil Turchin, a colonel in the Russian Army of Czar Nicholas I, immigrated to the United States and served in the Union Army from May 1861 until July 1864. Initially, he was appointed commander of the 19th Illinois Regiment and subsequently given command of the 8th Brigade, Army of the Ohio. Turchin believed the Union should be more vigorous in carrying the war to the Confederacy. His methods in this regard eventually led to controversy with superiors and ultimately to his court-martial. Following his court-martial conviction, he was pardoned by President Lincoln, promoted to brigadier general, and given command of a brigade in the Army of the Cumberland. Later, Turchin was co-founder of a successful Polish colony at Radom, Illinois. General Turchin was an experienced and successful commander who understood the nature of war and was one of the earliest advocates of the total war concept for which Generals William T. Sherman and Phillip J. Sheridan later became famous. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA029841
Entities
People
- John A. Vanalstyne
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College